Best practices for enhancing drawings and specifications

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["b"],["a",["href","https:\/\/info.deltek.com\/improve-specifications?sourceid=20\u0026utm_source=Online\u0026utm_medium=Advertising\u0026utm_campaign=AEC-AIA-drawing-Spec-2023\u0026partnerref=Advertising_Online_AEC-AIA-drawing-Spec-2023"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/event.on24.com\/wcc\/r\/4054327\/EA9CD81EE0451957A57DDC93935C5419"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/info.deltek.com\/drawing-spec-best-practices?sourceid=20\u0026utm_source=Online\u0026utm_medium=Advertising\u0026utm_campaign=AEC-AIA-Blog-Spec-Drawing-2023\u0026partnerref=Advertising_Online_AEC-AIA-Blog-Spec-Drawing-2023"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.deltek.com\/en\/products\/specification-solutions\/architecture-and-engineering?sourceid=20\u0026utm_source=Online\u0026utm_medium=Advertising\u0026utm_campaign=AEC-AIA-Blog-Drawings-Specs-2023\u0026partnerref=Advertising_Online_AEC-AIA-Blog-Drawings-Specs-2023"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/info.deltek.com\/specpoint-demo-request?sourceid=20\u0026utm_source=Online\u0026utm_medium=Advertising\u0026utm_campaign=AEC-AIA-Blog-Drawing-Spec-2023\u0026partnerref=Advertising_Online_AEC-AIA-Blog-Drawing-Spec-2023"]]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Why are accurate construction specifications so important? Clear\nand concise drawings and specifications prevent unnecessary Requests for\nInformation (RFIs), change orders, rework, and other delays. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In this article, you will discover best practices to ensure your drawings and specifications match and how to help\ndesigners, architects, and specifiers reach the highest level of clarity when communicating\nwith contractors to boost your firm\u2019s project efficiencies."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Key requirements for success"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Accurate drawings and specifications provide\nclear project intent, performance, and instruction for\ncontractors. Conversely, when construction documents need more detail, it\naffects the accuracy of the bid and, down the road, will impact the project\nschedule and budget. For example, guessing on products or model numbers can\nrequire the contractor to scramble to find the correct information, reduce the\naccuracy of the bid and increase time spent by architects and specifiers answering\nRFIs."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"With detailed and accurate drawings and\nspecifications, you can:"]]],[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"\nEnsure the design intent has\nstrong graphic and written instructions."]],[[0,[],0,"Attract\nquality bids by providing contractors with comprehensive "],[0,[1],1,"material and installation details"],[0,[],0," to bid on\nthe project more accurately."]],[[0,[],0,"Save time and\nreduce costs by minimizing delays and change orders that arise with different\nexpectations and interpretations between the architect, engineer, contractor,\nand owner."]]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Drawings\nand specs are complimentary and are one document. Whether you are working on\nfloor plan dimensions, defining head and jam details, or writing keynotes, ask\nyourself, can someone else understand this information? Learn more in the educational webinar: "],[0,[2],1,"Tips to Enhance Drawings and Specifications"],[0,[],0,"."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"According\nto Scott Taylor, Senior Specification Writer at Deltek, \u201ca well-written, accurate spec saves time and money, and it can\nhelp avoid the challenges arising from inadequate communication and limited\ndetail.\u201d "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Greater specificity equals fewer RFIs"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A\nrobust specification must be clear, concise, complete, correct, and consistent.\nGreater specificity means fewer questions and RFIs. Getting specific requires\ndocument coordination and asking questions. Every player on the project, from\nthe architect to the owner, responds differently to drawings versus specs. For\nexample, architects are typically more visual, while others may be more word\noriented. That is why coordination is vital in drawings, specs, and\ncommunication."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Additional\n"],[0,[3],1,"best\npractices for solid specifications"],[0,[],0," include:"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"a) Reduce conflicts between specs and drawings by being straightforward.\nFor example, is it drywall or gypsum board? Say it once and in the right place.\n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"b) \nProvide enough information for an\naccurate bid.\nA contractor can quickly provide a correct bid with a clear picture of the\nproducts, applications, and installation methods. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"c) Ensure the drawings, spec\ndescriptions, and products align. Precise requirements ensure no room for confusion or doubt,\nallowing for a more efficient and effective process and work completed as\nintended. In addition, good specs will help keep the project on schedule and\nminimize wasted time and money. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Creating smoother communication and collaboration"],[0,[],0," "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Effective\ncommunication is vital to drawings and specifications. Effective communication\ncan prevent drawing and specification flaws, reduce delays, and change orders,\nto deliver a project that achieves the owner\u2019s goals. In addition, bringing key\nplayers into the project early, leveraging a firm\u2019s knowledge, and reviewing\npast project successes to drive better future outcomes is the fuel for\neffective project collaboration. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Firms\nwith drawings\nand specifications that work together reap benefits, including:"]]],[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"Better\nteam communication"]],[[0,[],0,"Fewer\nchanges and rework from RFIs"]],[[0,[],0,"Improved bidding, construction, and\non-time project delivery"]],[[0,[],0,"Happier\nowners and other project stakeholders"]]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Specifications provide the roadmap to your design. The\ninstructions ensure that each element achieves the project\u0027s end goal.\nMoreover, creating a solid specification will help ensure more accurate bids\nwhile maintaining schedules and budgets. Therefore, it is essential to\ncoordinate drawings and specifications, provide clear instructions, and\npractice effective collaboration and communication for a successful project."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The AEC industry is reshaping how it builds\nand manages projects, which means implementing modern technology. Deltek and\nAIA have teamed up to deliver "],[0,[4],1,"Deltek Specpoint, home of AIA\nMasterSpec\u00ae"],[0,[],0,", which consists of comprehensive online\nbuilding product research and selection content combined with a streamlined\nspecification design and publishing tool that pulls from decades of experience\nserving the industry\u2019s specialized needs. Learn more "],[0,[5],1,"here"],[0,[],0,"."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"About Deltek"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Better software means better projects. Deltek\nis the leading global enterprise software and information solutions provider\nfor project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of\nusers in over eighty countries worldwide rely on Deltek for superior project\nintelligence, management, and collaboration. This includes over 11,000\narchitecture and engineering firms, representing 80% of the Engineering\nNews-Record (ENR) Top 500."]]]]}