> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.speckle.systems/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Common workflows

> Step-by-step guides for quantity takeoff, version comparison, validation, portfolio analysis, and presenting to clients.

Pick a goal below and follow the steps. Each workflow assumes you're in the dashboard editor and can add widgets from
the sidebar. For concepts and widget choices, see [Dashboards](/analytics/intelligence-dashboards). Not sure which
widget to add? See [Choosing the right widget](/analytics/intelligence-dashboards#choosing-the-right-widget) on the
Overview.

## Sub-guide: Validation widgets

Use [Validation Widgets in Dashboards](/analytics/dashboards/validation-widgets)
as a focused sub-guide when you need to choose between dashboard-based validation
widgets and checks-and-standards Data Validation.

## Run a quantity takeoff

**When to use:** One model; you need element counts and optional area or length totals (e.g. for cost or schedule).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a Model Viewer and select your model">
    Drag **Model Viewer** onto the canvas. Select your project and model; pin a version
    if you need a specific state.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Element count for total elements">
    Drag **Element count** onto the canvas. It shows the total count; use page-level
    filters to slice by level, category, or family.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Total property value or Count by property for breakdowns">
    Add **Total property value** for area/length sums or **Count by property** for
    counts by Category, Type, or Family (Revit: **Categories**, **Types**,
    **Families**).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use page-level filters to slice">
    Click a value in any chart or table to filter the whole dashboard (e.g. one level,
    one category).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Optionally add Element table to browse or export">
    Add **Element table** to see rows; customise columns, filter, and sort. Filter state
    is saved with the dashboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Outcome: Counts and breakdowns tied to the 3D model; filter state saved with the dashboard.

## Compare two versions of the same model

**When to use:** You want to see what changed between two versions (e.g. before/after a design round).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a Dual viewer or two Model Viewers">
    Add a **Dual viewer** and load both versions (first model / second model), or add
    two **Model Viewer** widgets and select the same project/model with different
    versions (pin each to a version).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add widgets that support Compare mode">
    Add **Element count** or **Total property value** (or **Count by property**). In the
    widget's data source setting, select both viewers and choose **Compare** mode.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Optionally sync the camera">
    If you have two viewers side by side, turn on **Sync camera** in each viewer's
    sidebar so pan/zoom stays aligned.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Outcome: Side-by-side or compared counts and totals so you can see what changed between versions.

## Perform portfolio analysis

**When to use:** Multiple projects or models; you want combined totals or differences across them.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a Model Viewer per project or key model">
    Add a **Model Viewer** for each project (or key model) and select project/model for
    each.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add widgets that support multiple data sources">
    Add **Element count** or **Count by property** and connect them to several viewers
    (use the widget's data source setting).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Aggregate or Compare mode">
    Use **Aggregate** mode to see combined totals across models; use **Compare** mode to
    see differences.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use Sections to group by project or metric">
    Add **Section** widgets to group areas (e.g. by project or by metric).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Share the dashboard">
    Share via [workspace access](/workspaces/roles-and-seats). Stakeholders see the same
    layout and data.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Outcome: One dashboard for portfolio-level counts and comparisons; stakeholders see the same view.

## Run a quick validation check

**When to use:** You want to check one or more properties against a rule (e.g. "doors must have fire rating") and see
pass/fail in the dashboard.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a Model Viewer and load your model">
    Drag **Model Viewer** onto the canvas and select project and model.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Property checker">
    Drag **Property checker** from the Basics group. In the widget settings, choose the
    property and define the rule (e.g. "exists", "equals", "matches pattern").
  </Step>

  <Step title="View results and colorize the model">
    The widget shows pass/fail counts. Use the widget option to colorize the 3D viewer
    so you can see which elements pass or fail.
  </Step>

  <Step title="For full rulesets, use Model Validation">
    For many rules or reusable rulesets, add **Model Validation** and define or import a
    ruleset. See [Data Validation](/analytics/data-validation/overview).
  </Step>
</Steps>

Outcome: Pass/fail view for one property (Property checker) or a full ruleset (Model Validation); optional
colorization in the viewer.

## Find models that use a specific family or type

**When to use:** You need to identify which models or elements use a given family (or category/type) so you can fix
or flag them (e.g. auditing families, pre-upgrade checks).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add Model structure or Families (Revit) or Count by property">
    Load the model(s). Use **Model structure** or **Families** (Revit) or **Count by
    property** to see family/category/type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search or filter by family name">
    Use the widget to search or filter by family name (or category/type).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use Matches pattern in a filter">
    Add a filter with **Matches pattern** (e.g. family name `*ProblemFamily*` or
    `%ProblemFamily%`) to find matches.
  </Step>

  <Step title="For reusable rules, use Property checker or Model Validation">
    To flag this family in future, add **Property checker** or **Model Validation** and
    define a rule. See [Data Validation](/analytics/data-validation/overview).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Optionally pin the dashboard version">
    Pin the model version so the result is reproducible.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Outcome: List or count of models/elements using that family; path to validation if you want rules.

## Present a dashboard to a client

**When to use:** You want to share a read-only view or embed the dashboard in a presentation (e.g. Notion, Miro).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Arrange the layout and apply a theme">
    Resize and reorder widgets; add **Section** widgets to group content. In the
    **Themes** panel, choose chart and validation colors so the dashboard looks
    consistent.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the view link">
    Open the dashboard in view mode (not edit). Share that URL so recipients see the
    dashboard without edit controls. See [Layout and
    sharing](/analytics/dashboards/layout-and-sharing) for view-only and sharing
    options.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Optionally embed elsewhere">
    You can embed dashboards in Notion, Miro, and other tools. For step-by-step guides,
    see [Tutorials](https://speckle.systems/tutorials) (filter by **Dashboards &
    Insights**).
  </Step>
</Steps>

Outcome: A shareable or embeddable read-only dashboard with a clear layout and theme.

## See also

* [Filters](/analytics/dashboards/filters) — Filter levels, operators, and colorizing the model
* [Layout and sharing](/analytics/dashboards/layout-and-sharing) — Resize, themes, sharing, and embedding
* [Validation Widgets in Dashboards](/analytics/dashboards/validation-widgets) — Sub-guide for dashboard-based validation widget workflows
* [Data Validation](/analytics/data-validation/overview) — Property checker, Model Validation, and rulesets