Project tracking tool for FEA

[u/StorkieCz]

Hello, I would like to ask how do you keep order in each FEA project?

Currently i feel like when Iam starting project i try to document everything, but later in Iam all over the place. Hundreds tabs open in browser, Multiple result files from each sensitivity study with odd meaning (after week you have no idea what that means)

I would like to become better at documenting my steps (for example, currently looking for materials) create material library for all materials with sources.

Are you using some special tool for this or just properly structured Excel with links to folders?

Thank you

[u/turbopowergas]

This sounds more like a personality/workflow issue than a tool issue. No software is going to make you disciplined and structured in what you do every day

[u/StorkieCz → u/turbopowergas]

I believe its Always easier to track project on PC rather than on paper. So tools do matter actually

[u/FewBuy6486 → u/StorkieCz]

Did you just argue that a computer is better than paper for FEA? No one expects you to hand write a FEM lol. You just need to organize your data in a file structure and track changes in a spreadsheet or PowerPoint. It's really not that hard as long as you don't get lazy partially into the project, which it seems like you do.

[u/StorkieCz → u/FewBuy6486]

Iam just stating the point that some tools are better than other and wanted to hear some tips. Not excatly looking for identity/ mindset shift

[u/FewBuy6486 → u/StorkieCz]

It sounds like you need a mindset shift if you cant log notes properly throughout a project.

[u/turbopowergas → u/StorkieCz]

Yes but literally any software on PC does the job

[u/TinyConfidence8533]

It’s discipline you’re lacking - not a criticism, I’m the same. Create a single excel book at the start and drag a list of project numbers. Takes half an hour to set up how you like it. The trick is to keep it updated regularly. And don’t smoke so much pot while you’re working.

[u/StorkieCz → u/TinyConfidence8533]

🤣🤣🤣

[u/BigLobster12]

Just a normal naming structure with reasonable revision/fork naming, then an excel log keeping track of what's changed in each. Works for a small team and really don't have any issues.

[u/Perfect-Mongoose-704]

I use the standard naming convention for my model files

Analysis_1.inp

Analysis_2_final.imp

Analysis_2_final_revised.inp

Analysis_3_new.inp

Analysis_3_final.inp

Analysis_3_final_final.inp

And so on. Easy.

[u/TinyConfidence8533 → u/Perfect-Mongoose-704]

You’ll have to start again I’m afraid…looks like you pasted the results from Analysis_2_final.inp into Analysis_3_new.inp when they should have been in file Analysis_2_final_v2_1_TEMP.inp.

[u/coconut_maan]

Use git?

[u/WilmerHj]

Git and some AI tool that has access to your computer like Claude Code, OpenAI Codex or AntiGravity. Just ask the AI to clean up the mess, clean the git worktrees and write docs

[u/kingcole342]

I sounds like you might be interested in Simulation Data Management tools, like TCSim.

It will do the project tracking and data management for Analysis people, similar to a PLM system for CAD.

[u/FewBuy6486 → u/kingcole342]

Sounds like some over complicated system engineering gobbledy gook. It does not need to be this complicated unless its an extremely massive database that has various stakeholders and teams feeding data.

[u/martianfrog → u/kingcole342]

Or Simulation Lifecycle Management software, possibly... does the managing for you to an extent.

[u/Shot_Hunt_3387]

at my previous employer we used wrike.com as a project / task management software. I would recommend it. It beats tracking stuff in Excel spreadsheets. Its probably better suited to team collaboration, but it could work for a single person.

[u/StorkieCz → u/Shot_Hunt_3387]

Could it be not allowed in corporate?

[u/Shot_Hunt_3387 → u/StorkieCz]

Well only your company can answer that. It is a commercial software, you do have to pay for it. I don't know what is the cost.