Electronic Database

This chapter shows an electronic method of assigning document numbers and establishing an electronic database. The number assignment method detailed in Ch. 6 is for a manual paper-based documentation system. All documents will need to have unique numbers assigned to them for identification and tracking purposes. The document number is used as a locator (find number) in a database, and identifies each unique document type.

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7 Electronic Database This chapter shows an electronic method of assigning document numbers and establishing an electronic database. The number assignment method detailed in Ch. 6 is for a manual paper-based documentation system. All documents will need to have unique numbers assigned to them for identification and tracking purposes. The document number is used as a locator (find number) in a database, and identifies each unique document type. 7.1.0 DOCUMENT NUMBER STRUCTURE Because the database is structured in such a way that allows for searching for any of the document’s information, the document number does not need to have very much intelligence in it. Use the document type for the prefix and then a two-digit number for the suffix. Policy number example: P01 P = Prefix 01 = Suffix 139 140 Developing and Managing Engineering Procedures 7.1.1 Prefix The prefix part of the document number defines the document type. When you sort the document type column all of the different document types will be grouped together. For example, D would put all of the departmental instructions next to each other in a report. P = Policy D = Departmental Instructions EP = Engineering Procedure 7.1.2 Suffix The suffix contains the number of documents of each type that is allowed. For example, 00 would allow for 99 different documents. 7.1.3 Identification Numbers and Interpretation Complete Number Interpretation P16 This would be the 16th Policy ever written D12 This would be the 12th Departmental Instruction ever written EP09 This would be the 9th Engineering procedure ever written Table 7.1 shows what the document database might look like over time. Electronic Database 141 Table 7.1. Database Report Printout Document No. Title D01 Departmental Instructions D02 D03 E01 Engineering Procedures (Sec. 1) E02 E03 EP01 Policies EP02 EP03 etc. 7.2.0 DOCUMENT DATABASE You will need to develop a database for policies, department instructions, engineering procedures, and their associated review and change documents. This is the key database that is used for planning, scheduling, and status reporting for all of the documents. The database is used for identifying the latest available document number for each type of document. Following is an example page from the database that is main- tained by engineering document control. With this list you will be answer- ing the following questions: 142 Developing and Managing Engineering Procedures • What is the document number? • When is the revision of the document? • What is the title of the document? • How many pages are in the document? • What is the document review form number? • What is the document change request form number? • Who entered in the information into the database? • When was the information entered? Document Database—Preparation. Each of the following circled numbers corresponds to the circled numbers on the example document database. ❶ Document Number: Enter the document number. ❷ Revision: Enter the document’s revision letter. ❸ Title: Enter the document’s title. ❹ Number of Pages: Enter the total number of pages. ❺ DRF Number: Enter the document review form number. ❻ DCRF Number: Enter the document change request form number. ❼ Initials: Enter your initials after the information is loaded into the log. ❽ Date: Enter the date after the information is loaded into the log. 7.2.1 Example—Document Database Following is an example page of a completed document database. Electronic Database 143 Document Database Document Number ❶ Revision ❷ Title ❸ Number of Pages ❹ DRF Number ❺ DCRF Number ❻ Initials ❼ Date ❽ etc. Example–Document Database Sheet 144 Developing and Managing Engineering Procedures Document Database Document Number D01 D02 D03 Revision A C B Title Master Document Document File Release Number Update Assignment Number of Pages 5 3 6 DRF Number DRF005 DRF003 DRF010 DCRF Number DCRF019 DCRF001 DCRF056 Initials PAC PAC PAC Date 03/22/01 05/01/01 O8/12/01 etc. Example–Document Database (with sample entries)