Construction projects generate documentation quickly. Without a shared system, drawings end up in personal inboxes, subcontractors use outdated files, and version control becomes difficult to maintain.
Once your folder structure is in place:
- Every project participant knows where to find and upload files
- Version history is tracked in one permanent location per document
- Permissions can be applied logically, folder by folder
Defining your folder structure
Where applicable, align your structure with local or national document management standards used in your market. Start with your org chart, contracts, and budget breakdown to identify disciplines and document responsibilities. Then ask:
- Does each discipline/contract have its own folder?
- Is the structure consistent across all project stages so files do not need to be moved?
The approach for a good setup
A folder structure in Dalux Box works like a file system on a PC: folders represent categories, subfolders break down these categories, and files are stored in predictable locations.
When the structure reflects how the project is run documents stay in one permanent location, and Dalux handles version tracking automatically.
Reflect the project's real structure
Organize folders around disciplines and contract responsibilities, such as Architect, Structural Engineer, Foundation contractor, not around processes or dates.
Use a numbering or classification system
Prefixing folders with numbers, such as 01.Design or 02.Construction, makes navigation consistent regardless of language or alphabetical sorting.
Limit folder depth
Aim for two to three levels at most. Deeper structures increase the risk of files being stored in the wrong place.
Plan permissions alongside the structure
Each folder you create is a point where access can be controlled. An architect, engineer, or designer typically gets read access across all design folders but write access only to their own. Subcontractors typically have write access to their own folder and read access to published files like drawings, models, and specifications relevant to their work.
Start simple
Define your top-level structure before the project begins, this is hard to change once work is underway. Lower-level folders, such as those for individual subcontractors, can be added as contracts are awarded and responsibilities become clearer.
How to create your folder structure
In Settings, you can start from a company standard or the Dalux standard based on A104 document management. When setting up a new project without a company standard, Dalux will offer a guided walkthrough to help you create a folder structure and user groups in one go. If you prefer to build from scratch, you can configure the structure manually in Box.
Read more
We recommend following the step-by-step articles before deep-diving into features, but if you want to read about how to set up your folder structure in more detail, read these articles:
With a folder structure in place, every project participant has a single, predictable place to find and upload files. Navigation becomes intuitive, the risk of working from an outdated file drops significantly, and access can be controlled folder by folder as the project scales.
The next step is defining who has access to what.