Process. Optimize. Automate. Lessons from FF&E Spec Sheets

How one interior design workflow was restructured to save hours before a single line of code was written

At ndr-bim, we believe automation is the last step, not the first.
The real efficiency comes from first mapping the process, clarifying the goal, and optimizing with the tools already in your hands. Only then does automation multiply the results.

Here’s how this framework reshaped the way teams produce FF&E spec sheets.

Step 1: Process

We started by observing the manual workflow:

  • Create a callout of the furniture or equipment.

  • Add interior elevations (front, left, right).

  • Generate a 3D view and hide surrounding context.

  • Rename each view.

  • Place all views on a spec sheet with the correct layout.

  • Repeat for every single item.

  • Time required: 30–60 minutes per sheet.
    When multiplied across an entire FF&E package, this became a major drain on project hours.

Step 2: Optimize

Before touching code, we asked: what does “good” look like?

  • Each FF&E item needs a consistent set of views (front, sides, 3D).

  • Sheets must be clear, uniform, and scalable across projects.

  • The workflow should be easy to repeat without heavy training.

With that in mind, we optimized the process using Revit’s native tools:

  • Type Marks were standardized as assembly names.

  • Spec sheet template was built for layout consistency.

  • View templates were tuned so less cleanup was needed.

These steps alone cut down errors and smoothed the workflow, even before automation.

Step 3: Automate

Once the process was lean, automation became straightforward.
We built a custom PyRevit script that:

  • Lets users select multiple FF&E families.

  • Automatically creates assemblies named after their Type Mark.

  • Generates all required assembly views (front, left, right, 3D).

  • Places the views directly onto a pre-formatted spec sheet.

The Result

  • Process time dropped from 30–60 minutes per FF&E element to just a few minutes for all FF&E selected.

  • Teams now generate consistent spec sheets across large FF&E packages with ease.

  • Designers spend less time on repetitive documentation and more time on design.

Key Lesson

Automation is powerful, but it should never be step one.
By first clarifying the process and tightening it with the tools you already have, automation becomes the natural final step, delivering clean, scalable results without adding complexity.

Is your team stuck in repetitive Revit tasks? Let’s map the process together, optimize the workflow, and build automation where it matters most.

If you’re not ready to start a conversation yet, you can still take the first step: [download our free Process Mapping Sheet here] to start untangling your workflows.

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What is a Clean Revit Setup & Why it matters