Dear Mark,
Please find committee's response below. Did they answer your questions?
The Specifications Committee presented a session at the 2016 CI Summit titled Specification Makeover: From Mess to Success which looked at how the delivery of specifications has changed offer the last 40 years and identified elements that had not changed. The committee potential issues into six areas or key issues and looked at lessons learned for each of these areas. The key issues were defined as
Key Issue 1 – The Standard Template:
A proper Standard Template file, whether provided by the Owner, EJCDC, AIA, or used from a past contract is essential to a properly-executed project.
Key Issue 2 – Change Management:
Establishing lines of communication among stakeholders and within organizations, ensuring the proper review and incorporation of solicited and unsolicited revisions.
Key Issue 3 – Document Management Systems:
Centralized document management systems are essential in promoting filing and archiving best practices, and in promoting teamwork and collaboration among stakeholders and within firms.
Key Issue 4 – The Spec Deliverable:
Properly defining the format of the specification deliverable during the design, bid, and construction periods assists all stakeholders in identifying the contract and working versions of the Specifications.
Key Issue 5 – Contract Document Integration:
Ensuring proper integration between the Specifications and other Contract documents mitigates confusion and conflict among stakeholders.
Key Issue 6 – Construction Management Systems:
Centralized and robust Construction Management Systems assist Contractors, Construction Managers, and other stakeholders in ensuring compliance with the various requirements of the Specifications.
The ASCE Specifications Committee is continuing this initiative to document and communicate the best practices in Specification delivery with a goal of improving the way the AEC industry works with and thinks about Specifications. In this effort the Committee is collecting feedback on best practices (and pitfalls) covering the above 6 Key Issues in managing specifications from project creation to completion. The plan is to share this input at future CI Summit Specification Committee sessions.
Key Issue 1 was the subject of the 2019 CI Summit Specifications Committee session.
Below are other prior Specification Committee CI Summit sessions
2018 Writing Enforceable Specifications
2017 Role of Specifications in Disputes
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Katerina Lachinova Aff.M.ASCE
Manager/CI Director
ASCE
Reston VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-22-2019 02:49
From: Mark Gilligan
Subject: How You Use the Construction Specifications, Share Your Best Practice
It appears that I cannot participate in the survey unless I enroll my computer. What does this enrollment process mean and will you be making any changes to my computer.
I have been involved with construction specifications for buildings for over 40 years and I have no idea where you are coming from.
I believe that your committee needs to clarify where they are coming from and what they hope to achieve. Different types of civil engineers deal with different specification systems. Civil engineers who work on buildings use specifications in the context of a system promoted by the Construction Specification Institute while those involved with highway project often use a different system.
Please expand on your 6 Key issues. For example what do you mean by change management? Are you talking about the discipline of change management or are you talking about how changes are made during the project?.
I would suggest that any engineer who is interested in construction specifications should start by familiarizing him or her self with the publications of the Construction Specifications Institute. Even if you believe that what they do on highways is the only way to go I believe that you will benefit from these publications.
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Mark Gilligan
Berkeley CA
Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2019 12:09
From: Katerina Lachinova
Subject: How You Use the Construction Specifications, Share Your Best Practice
Are your project specifications a SuperSpec?
ASCE's Construction Institute Specifications Committee would like to hear from YOU. The committee is collecting feedback on best practices (and pitfalls) covering 6 Key Issues in managing specifications from project creation to completion:
- The Standard Template
- Change Management
- Document Management Systems
- The Spec Deliverable
- Contract Document Integration
- Construction Management Systems
In your opinion, what are the industry's best practices?
Complete the survey today and share it with colleagues -
https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/KzvuCAD9nguN8wO3H5DcbF?domain=app.message.asce.org
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Katerina Lachinova Aff.M.ASCE
CI Director
ASCE
Reston VA
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