Proven specification strategies that deliver better-built projects

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["b"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/masterspec"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.deltek.com\/en\/architecture-and-engineering\/specification-solutions","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/info.deltek.com\/specpoint-demo-request?sourceid=20\u0026utm_source=Online\u0026utm_medium=Advertising\u0026utm_campaign=AEC-AIA-Spec-Blog-202209\u0026partnerref=Advertising_Online_AEC-AIA-Spec-Blog-202209"]],["a",["href"," https:\/\/www.deltek.com\/en\/architecture-and-engineering\/specification-solutions","target","_blank"]],["i"]],"sections":[[1,"p",[]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Today, writing specifications is about managing\ninformation and data from many different sources and transferring that data to\nthe appropriate specifications. Technological improvements have helped architects,\nengineers, and specifiers become more efficient in writing and processing\nindividual specifications."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"However, several challenges remain, such as out-of-date\nor inaccurate product information, the absence of historical data, and\nindividual component thinking. Tackling these challenges means you can fully\nutilize data to make better specification decisions. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Here are three\nspecification strategies where information can significantly increase\nproductivity and efficiencies on your next project. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Strategy\n#1: Transform your office master "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Office masters offer a\ncentral location for firm knowledge\u2014outlining and documenting product\npreferences, information on products that the firm usually specifies, and requirements\nfor contractor review before installation. Rather than reviewing and\ninterpreting the same information and making the same decisions over and over,\nuse the office master as your firm\u2019s resource for specifications previously\nvetted, researched, and proven."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Creating an office\nmaster within one or more Word files is less than ideal\u2014you could be working\nfrom the latest authored section from the last project rather than standardized\nvetted information. The data may not be correct and may be missing vital\npieces. Instead, modernize your office master using technology that ensures\ninformation is kept current."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Tip:"],[0,[],0," Look to utilize industry tools\nsuch as "],[0,[1],1,"AIA\u2019s\nMasterSpec\u00ae"],[0,[],0,"\nthat is part of "],[0,[2],1,"Deltek Specpoint,"],[0,[],0," modern software making the\nbuilding selection process, creation of accurate specs, and delivery of\nhigh-quality projects much more manageable."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Strategy\n#2: Mine historical data "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The\narchitecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has a wealth of\ninformation, specifically historical data. However, there is no current way to\nmine and research that data. Most of the information is in requests for information\n(RFIs), submittals, specifications, and drawings in formats that make mining\nthe data cumbersome. Imagine if you had access to years of project information.\nWouldn\u0027t that help you make data-driven decisions and achieve a better overall\nproject? "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Using\ntechnology to gather and analyze AEC data is a game-changer for evidence-based\nspecifying. With this type of data, you can make better and more accurate\ndecisions, and spend the right amount of time on a complex issue. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Tip:"],[0,[],0,"\nLook for intelligent database-driven software, such as "],[0,[3],1,"Specpoint"],[0,[],0," that\naggregates your firm\u2019s data points and best practices to streamline and improve\nthe process of developing construction specifications."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Strategy\n#3: Specify in assemblies "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Typically,\nspecifications are individual components. For example, if you take an exterior\ncement plaster wall, think of how many unique sections that is. There could be\nas many as eight sections. Managing that one assembly and translating it into\neight individual sections doesn\u0027t make sense. This approach can lead to errors\nwithin the specifications and potentially result in change orders. Instead, a\nspecifier can take an assembly-based approach to manage that information and\nensure all assemblies are covered. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Specifying in an\nassembly-based format helps to better manage information. There is no need to\ntranslate that assembly into individual components, which may lead to omissions\nor errors within the specifications."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Tip:"],[0,[],0," Using an assembly-based approach\noffers team members a better understanding of the construction elements\nrequired to meet the overall project performance and design requirements."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The AEC\nindustry is reshaping how it builds and manages projects, which means\nimplementing new technology. Deltek and AIA have teamed up to deliver "],[0,[4],1,"Deltek Specpoint"],[0,[],0,", home of AIA MasterSpec\u00ae, which\nconsists of comprehensive online building product research and selection\ncontent combined with a streamlined specification design and publishing tool\nthat pulls from decades of experience serving the industry\u2019s specialized needs.\nLearn more "],[0,[3],1,"here"],[0,[],0,"."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"About Deltek"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Better software means better projects.\nDeltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information\nsolutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and\nmillions of users in over 80 countries worldwide rely on Deltek for superior\nproject intelligence, management, and collaboration. This includes more than\n11,000 architecture and engineering firms, representing 80% of the "],[0,[5],1,"Engineering News-Record"],[0,[],0," (ENR) Top 500."]]]]}