Specifier questions

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Author Message Steve Gantner, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: sgantner Post Number: 58 Registered: 08-2007 Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2018 - 09:30 pm:    My fellow specification writers. This past weekend I had the pleasure of discussing specifier recruitment what types of backgrounds we come from and where are we going to find our replacements. The discussion spawned many questions and answers, but quite a few good ideas. This is a question that has been around for quite a while with no real answers and I’m not sure where this brief informal, non-scientific, survey will lead, but here goes. Please reply to the following: What is your educational background? What is your professional background? How did you learn to be a specifier? What are three things you love about specification writing? If you have anything else you would like to post about this topic, please do so. After a few weeks, I’ll collect results and post the findings in an informal article. Thanks to Holly Jordan for allowing me to present with her and to Beth and David for suggesting this poll, and thank you for your help. Steve Gantner Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 378 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2018 - 11:40 pm:    What is your educational background? B.A. in non-architectural field, M.Arch What is your professional background? Worked with building product mfr., then architectural internship where I discovered I was a better writer than draftsman, then jr specifier and then senior specifier for a large firm, then a freelance specifier, then transitioning into a consultant to mfrs -- 30 plus years ago. How did you learn to be a specifier? First I learned to speak, then ask questions, observe, and write. Got to play with building toys as kid and watch home builders. Leaned to build on High School Stage Crew. Architecture school concentration was architectural administration and building technology. Work for manufacturer was very detail oriented product development position. In my first architectural job, the principal didn't have time to write specs, and was delighted to let a junior guy do it. This was cut and paste and typewriter days. Got a job with large firm to apprentice under a very seasoned specifier. Joined CSI and found lots of mentors and joined a study group to pass CCS. The rest, as they say, is practice. What are three things you love about specification writing? I didn't have to learn CAD or BIM. I protect health safety and welfare. I have earned a livelihood. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937 www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 1007 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 01:33 am:    We've done informal surveys before, though with different questions. Institute has spent a lot of money on external surveys over the years; I wonder why we haven't done a comprehensive study of our own members? I'll respond later. If you're interested in previous surveys, Steve, see http://discus.4specs.com/discus/messages/7868/7468.html and http://discus.4specs.com/discus/messages/23/8268.html. Steve Gantner, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: sgantner Post Number: 59 Registered: 08-2007 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 08:49 am:    Thanks Michael. Sheldon, I have seen those surveys and ones institute has completed. Not sure why there isn't a more comprehensive one done by the industry. Perhaps this will lead to something more in the near future. Brian Payne, AIA Senior Member Username: brian_payne Post Number: 135 Registered: 01-2014 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 08:57 am:    What is your educational background? Bach. in Architecture What is your professional background? Architect / Project Manager How did you learn to be a specifier? While reviewing/marking up my specs written by others, but almost entirely on the job after becoming sole office spec writer. What are three things you love about specification writing? 1) That I am doing something that I never wanted to do, and turned down the opportunity to do, but now really enjoy. Proof that we aren't the best judge of ourselves sometimes. 2) Integrating BIM and Specs. This is the reason I finally said yes to moving into a specifiers role, and is my favorite part of the job. I get to create and organize content that makes my job as a spec writer easier and projects more successful. 3) It meant I don't have to be a PM, which I never loved doing anyways. Colin Gilboy Senior Member Username: colin Post Number: 442 Registered: 09-2005 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 08:58 am:    I work primarily with marketing managers and manufacturers. They are being sold many programs that do not support the specifier or architect (in my opinion). 13 years ago I did a survey and have been considering updating the survey. Any suggestions on what to include would be appreciated. Here is the results of that survey: http://www.4specs.com/survey/2005_survey_results.pdf New questions would include the value of social media in making product decisions (Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter) and the value of smart phones in making product decisions. Planned for this summer. Suggestions? Colin Gilboy Publisher, 4specs.com 435.654.5775 - Utah 800.369.8008 Steve Gantner, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: sgantner Post Number: 60 Registered: 08-2007 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 09:24 am:    All, the purpose for me posting these questions, as opposed to the other surveys that have been done, is to come up with reasons why someone would want to become a specifier and to show them that, while a degree in a construction related field is helpful, it may not be necessary. We are all well aware that specification writing is in a precarious position that isn't seeing a lot of new people, but architecture is heading in a similar direction. I defer to the article in Architectural Record, "Architecture Education Now" in the September 2017 issue. In it, they note that "40% plan to join a private practice - a 16% plunge from 2017." I don't want to skew the survey, but I have a theory that the reasons people chose specifications will be intriguing to others and we may be able to "steal" some people away who were unaware of what we do. Also, I believe we need to stop minimizing our roles in a project, myself included. We have all been guilty of playing down our role or joking about it, but we are getting to the point where this isn't funny any more. Let's do a better job of promoting what we do in a BIM age, we are the "I". James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 234 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 10:31 am:    What is your educational background? Bachelor of Science in Biology, Master of Architecture What is your professional background? Standard architecture school graduate path: intern, project coordinator, project architect How did you learn to be a specifier? Worked alongside and excellent mentor and took advantage of CSI membership and programs What are three things you love about specification writing 1) Helping solve complex issues in construction 2) Contributing to the effort to create structures which meet or exceed our clients' needs 3) Sharing my 25+ years' experience with the next generation to move the profession forward. I do share your opinion that the practice of architecture as we know it is in a precarious position. Steve, I will add a fourth thing I like about being a specifier: I get invited to symposia like the one we attended earlier this week. There I get to tap into the vast knowledge of many very intelligent and diligent people. I cannot understand why someone would not want to be a specifier. Maybe I over-sell the position. Marlon Hollis (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 10:50 am:    What is your educational background? JD from Rutgers University Law School, BA History from Rowan University. What is your professional background? Aviation field (maintenance): USAF, NJ Air National Guard, The Boeing Company. How did you learn to be a specifier? Hired by current employer, where I am being trained. I am still learning. What are three things you love about specification writing? 1. The occasional opportunity to see the specified building being built (I've seen one so far), or see the completed building (have not yet seen any of my buildings completed). 2. Learning a new field I never knew existed before. 3. Satisfaction of completing a project. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 379 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 12:57 pm:    Marlon Welcome to the profession. You see my phone number in the signature. Feel free to use it if you want to reach out to others in the business. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937 www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru Margaret G. Chewning FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: presbspec Post Number: 301 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 01:07 pm:    What is your educational background? AS in Construction management and BSET in Engineering Technology; Note, got my CCS 10 years before my BSET. What is your professional background? Started as an engineering aide at Navy Exchange maintenance; Drafting and project manager at a developer firm; CQC on site for contractor; Drafting and SpecsIntact specifier for various AE firms; Code Inspector/Clerk of works for University Capital Outlay projects; Project Mgr on site for NRHA; Independent Specifier; How did you learn to be a specifier? Most of my training has been SOP or through programs at CSI Events. What are three things you love about specification writing? solving puzzles, interpreting the designer's drawings into the written portion of the documents; as an independent-flexibility in how I work to provide the services needed to produce the Project Manual. Interesting item to note: When in High School, my Mother urged me to take typing. I was bound and determined at the time not to end up in a typing pool as I wanted to "work on the boards" as an architect. What do I do now? TYPE on a computer keyboard. The "wisdom" of youth! George A. Everding, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 872 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 01:31 pm:    Marion- Ditto what Michael said. I responded on the CSI website and wasn't going to repeat it here, but will because this forum was my number one training for being a specifier. Contact Colin Gilboy directly and get signed up with him. Join CSI if you haven't already. George A. Everding, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 873 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 01:34 pm:    What is your educational background? Architecture, Washington University in St. Louis What is your professional background? Forty years as an architect, specifier, construction administrator, and teacher How did you learn to be a specifier? Before I became a full time specifier, I was an architect so I obviously knew everything there was to know about specifications. When this proved to be inaccurate, 4specs discussion group was my go to for going from really dumb to really smart really quickly. Many of my online mentors I now know in person, and there are too many to name without omitting someone, but I will acknowledge and remember three deceased specifiers whose wisdom and friendship was especially invaluable: Bob Johnson, John Regener, and Ralph Liebing. Becoming involved with my local CSI chapter introduced me to a wealth of specification knowledge and fostered friendships that endure today, and to the late Ed "Fritz" Glock, who gave me all his Manuals and Practice and his teaching guides when he moved on to becoming Mr. Division 04 in St. Louis. And, also, learning by doing and making mistakes, some of which I am sure Steve Gantner is still correcting today. What are three things you love about specification writing? It's a challenge and an opportunity to learn things you never knew you'd be interested in. It's a chance to work on different types project– you touch every job if you work for a firm, and you touch many different firms if you are an independent. It's fun. Elias Saltz, CSI, CCS, LEED AP Senior Member Username: elias_saltz Post Number: 22 Registered: 03-2009 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 02:05 pm:    Anyway, here are my answers: What is your educational background? I have a BA with a major in architecture from Washington University and a Master of Architecture from Miami of Ohio. What is your professional background? I worked in architecture firms as an architect from 1994 through 2016. The last ten years or so of that time was spent as an in-house specifier. Beginning in 2017 I began working as a specifications consultant. How did you learn to be a specifier? Mostly, I was thrown into the fire. The firm I was working for had a retiring specifier, and I was ‘invited’ to take that role. His time at the firm overlapped my initiation as a specifier by a few months, but there was no formal training period. What do I love about specification writing? I love the constant learning that is integral to the profession. In no other part of architecture is so much knowledge required and seeking out the information is a necessary part of the job. I love that I see and contribute to dozens of vastly varied projects over the course of any year, whereas when I was working as an architect, I might work on only one project for multiple years. I love that I’m considered a resource by clients as well as by other members of the AEC community. Elias Saltz, CSI, CCS, SCIP Conspectus, Inc. Marlon Hollis (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Friday, March 09, 2018 - 02:16 pm:    Steve, I suppose a question that needs to be answered is what are the core requirements for being a Specifer? Then advertise in those areas where those skills are learned/developed. Many people without a construction or Architectural background may have either never heard of the field or dismiss it because they don't have such a background, even though they may have the skill set (writing, research, etc.). How do we then formulate and formalize these core requirements? In an accredited college/university curriculum with a Specifications degree or certificate? Do we also professionalize the field through state licenses? I am recalling earlier professions, such as law and medical doctors, that had to something similar Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2142 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2018 - 11:40 am:    What is your educational background? I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology, which helps more than I ever thought it would, and a Master's in Architecture. What is your professional background? For about 10 years after graduating with that MArch, I did the usual sort of stuff - detailing bathrooms, and addition work for friends. Then the ADA got passed into code/law, and I started doing surveys and writing sheet specs for those surveys. My boss said HE would write Division 01, because it was too complicated, and I was challenged. Shortly after that, I started writing specifications. How did you learn to be a specifier? I worked with two guys who were good at writing specifications, and who understood the process. They encouraged me to study for and take the CDT exam. I passed, and about 5 years later did the same with the CCS, What are three things you love about specification writing? The specificity, the brevity, and the ability to tell someone what to do. (grin - sort of) Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2143 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2018 - 11:44 am:    And hi, Marlon. Welcome! Glad to have your input. David Stutzman Senior Member Username: david_stutzman Post Number: 84 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2018 - 12:34 pm:    Steve, thanks for the post asking the question. I enjoyed talking with you about the state of affairs, and hope you get a good response. Educational background: Bachelor of architecture. This was a result of a high mechanical drawing school teacher saying "you should be an architect." Professional background: Started as designer/draftsman for a design-builder. Primarily worked as a specifier for engineering or E-A firms with heavy emphasis on engineering including railway, water-wastewater, power generation, and pharmaceutical, biotech, and semi-conductor manufacturing before starting an independent spec consulting firm. Learning to Specify: This was the result of the first project out of school for an Army Corps of Engineers energy retrofit of 65 buildings. Measured and drew all the buildings, calculated energy savings, created the estimate. Then the project manager said I had to write the spec. I asked what is a spec. The PM was a good mentor and teacher. I found my calling and gave up design. Loving It: 1. Discovering and researching new materials and methods to solve our clients' design problems. 2. Helping to keep architects and engineers out of trouble by offering advice on product selection, product application, code compliance, and the constructability of their designs. 3. Sharing what I have learned with anyone who wants to know to advance the collective industry knowledge. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, NCARB Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 1861 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2018 - 04:34 pm:    My apologies for the late response, I actually have a question to add for my peers, perhaps its not too late. Education: Two yr degree from Junior College, BArch from Univ of FL, MArch from Univ of FL. (took 6 years, ran out of money) Professional Background: Draftsman to Project Architect to Project Manager (Private and Public Sector work) Learned to be a Specifier by working with a Senior PM who wrote Specs. Self taught the rest of the way, joined CSI and SCIP, passed my CCS. What I love about specwriting: Learn something new everyday, I can work independently without staff and still get the specs done, usually better than with a staff. Solve problems, contribute as a valued member of a team of professionals on small and large projects. Now my ADDED QUESTION?: What do you HATE about Specwriting? (Independents' contribution here important) Please do not list "Last to be paid, as a Hate"...we all hate to be paid late. For me: 1. Being considered as an expert in any one area - I may write a Waterproofing spec, but it doesn't mean I am a Waterproofing expert. 2. Loss of respect for specifications as part of the Contract Documents. In Florida (esp So FL) Specifications are considered detrimental to the Contract Documents, they are feared by Architects. 3. Being told that Specifications are archaic due the the Section Number, the validity of the Specification Section is determined by the Specwriter, not by the number of digits in the Section number. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 380 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 - 01:20 am:    Hate is a strong word. Three times (at about 10 year intervals) economic cycles have kicked me in the butt. I know this is a reality throughout the construction industry, but company doesn't love misery. Still, I have no regrets. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937 www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, NCARB Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 1862 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 - 02:12 am:    I yield to the Building Product Guru, Hate may be too harsh for this forum, how about "Dislike"? What do my peers Dislike about Spec Writing? Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2144 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 - 09:36 am:    The one thing that continually bugged me was being treated like a mushroom... James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 235 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 - 10:05 am:    +1 on Lynn's comment. Being kept in the dark and fed manure [archaic, but more polite, term :-)] is not conducive to producing good specifications. Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with my situation. When I do have to wring out information from project team members I remind them I get paid to be a nudnik and if they don't like that they can give me the information I need when I need it. That actually works with the smarter ones. David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 232 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 - 04:15 pm:    Formal Education: Ba in Political Science, Miami University (Ohio) Not-So-Formal Education: Construction work right after college for 10 years. Then to work in an architectural firm whose specifier just disappeared one day. "Try writing, might not have to work." I stayed for 20 years, then became an independent for five years. Now a captured spec writer again and intend to stay that way. I love that specifying is a portable skill. Most architectural firms look for the same things in spec writers, and CSI has made a good set of standards to work with. We are outsiders in a way, like the medicine men and women in early cultures. We have different knowledge than those who conceive the projects and work graphically. We bring a practical view to things when it is most needed. Sometimes, I think a specifier is like a rodeo clown who must keep the project (the bull) from hurting the rider (the owner). On some projects, I may have to be a sword-bearer, a roadie, general factotum, or all three. The job is never dull. Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP, EDAC Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 639 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 - 05:58 pm:    What is your educational background? Bachelor in Architecture. What is your professional background? Small firms to large firms. Small projects to big projects. Mindless Drafting (with pencils), Mindful Drafting, Project Coordinating, Project Architect-ing, Project Managing, until I was asked to do almost the exact same 5 year plus project role I had just completed for the same client, which I didn't really want to do, the same week the spec writer retired. How did you learn to be a specifier? I was the jerk on a project team who took the spec home over the weekend and wrote comments on every page for the spec writer to review on Monday morning. I then took a short course at the AIA given by CSI folk. I had help transitioning when I took over spec writing for the firm in two forms. All of our projects were huge multi-phase healthcare projects and I inherited the as-built specs for all of our project's previous phases with all of our clients. When the spec writer quit, his admin assistant, a middle-aged Texan with salty wit, deep knowledge of books and film, and a masters in English Literature from UT stayed with me. He broke me in gently and professionally. I joined CSI, got some credentials, started posting here. What are three things you love about specification writing? I like how I have a very detailed understanding of a building (and the one they come to 5 years on for information) but I may not know what color the building is. I like the feeling of pining down the design, of adding real bricks and mortar meaning to the drawings and renderings. I like that every week I get to solve a new, tricky but solvable problem, and have a new solution to add to my magic bag of tricks. What do I hate about spec writing? The mushroom thing for me too. Information given too late and only partially. Seeing places/meetings I wasn't invited to where I could have helped avoid problems. The way that in a large firm, no matter what you wrote in a project's spec about guarantees and warranties, you have given the project team your spec writer's 30-year, no dollar limit extended warranty covering RFI's and Submittals. David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 233 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 - 08:34 am:    Steven, The mushroom effect you and Lynn alluded to is certainly a problem. Each of us will have to find our own way to surmount it. A root cause is thinking that specification writing is a clerical task rather than a contribution to design. We help perpetuate this false notion when we re-use old specifications, fail to coordinate with the drawings, and rely too heavily on overblown guide specs to get our work "out the door." These are things we preach to others about but sometimes find ourselves doing. Fortune smiled on me when I joined my present firm, which places a high value on specifications as an important component of design. Liz O'Sullivan Senior Member Username: liz_osullivan Post Number: 242 Registered: 10-2011 Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 - 02:05 pm:    What is your educational background? Bachelor of Architecture degree. What is your professional background? Intern Architect/Job Captain/Project Manager/Architect. How did you learn to be a specifier? I ended up being the person in the architecture firm I worked at who would coordinate with our specifications consultant on every project I was working on, whether I was project manager or in more of a support role. One day, shortly before I left the architecture firm ahead of the birth of my first child, this working relationship led to a brief conversation about my working on a contract basis for him, writing specs. Four and a half years later, and 7 months after taking the CDT exam, I ran into him, and started working on specifications for a project for him the next week. I told him that I'd never really written specs before, and he assured me that he would help me, he wouldn't just throw me off the cliff. Then he threw me off the cliff. This was actually fine; it just made the work more stressful than I was expecting. Less than a year later, he ran out of extra work for his contract people, and the next day someone called his office looking for me to write specs for a project. So I started working and learning truly on my own. MasterSpec masters, and their supporting documents (the evaluations) got me going on the right path. What are three things you love about specification writing? 1. It allows me to be independent. (I am an independent consultant. I can say yes or no to projects, I can set my own hours, I can spend more time than budgeted on projects that end up needing more time, I can work at my office or at my home or at a coffee shop.) 2. I have found that I am uniquely suited to the work. (I dive deep into details, I always want things to be correct, I identify conflicts more than most people I know, I type fast, I read fast, I read drawings fast.) 3. I know that the work I am doing is important and worthwhile. Steve Gantner, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: sgantner Post Number: 61 Registered: 08-2007 Posted on Friday, March 30, 2018 - 09:20 am:    Thank you to all responded. As suspected, there is great diversity in this group of professionals. I am formulating something.....what? It has not yet materialized, but the information you provided has been very helpful. Stay tuned! Hadley Breckenridge (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, September 17, 2018 - 07:56 pm:    What is your educational background? MFA Photography BA Journalism What is your professional background? Adjunct Professor in the Arts How did you learn to be a specifier? I'm not sure what I am. I don't write the content. I format specifications that engineers edit with the most recent software such as masterspecs and specsintact (and keep them updated). What are three things you love about specification writing? (I guess that doesn't really apply to me - but then, what am I??)