CDT = LEED?

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Author Message Anonymous   Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 09:07 am:    Just saw the ad in the current Construction Specifier (page 57) that says "Are you prepared to handle the complexities of a LEED project?.....CSI's CDT certification can help." I certainly encourage attaining CSI certifications, but how does being a CDT help with LEED? Marty Sweeney, CSI, CDT, LEED-AP Senior Member Username: marty_sweeney Post Number: 10 Registered: 07-2004 Posted on Saturday, October 04, 2008 - 07:55 pm:    I have yet to see the ad to which you refer. I would offer that it's possible CSI means to imply that understanding the construction process better (as a CDT certainly does) makes an individual better prepared to contribute to the LEED process. I passed the CDT exam before I became a LEED-AP. Based on my own experience, I have recommended the CDT to many others as a prerequisite for LEED-AP. I work in the Sustainability organization for a product manufacturer, so the skill set I need may be different than design and construction professionals. I'll be interested to see others chime in. Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 807 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 09:46 am:    Being a Construction Document Technologist (CDT), which is the first step toward any of CSI's certifications, gives you an understanding of the requirements of construction documents in general, of the coordination of Divisions 00 and 01 with the technical sections, and an appreciation of the complexities of documentation in general. Once you grasp all that, adding the required documentation of a LEED project is less daunting and will most likely be handled with the same thoroughness brought to the documents as without the LEED process. Without a complete understanding of the coordination required between the documents, I doubt that the LEED process and complexities would even be appreciated for the task it is. And that lack of appreciation could make the task more difficult. CSI is right; I hope this ad appears in other publications so that it's not just another case of "preaching to the choir". Marty Sweeney, CSI, CDT, LEED-AP Senior Member Username: marty_sweeney Post Number: 11 Registered: 07-2004 Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 10:02 am:    Lynn: Well said. This paragraph, in particular, gets to the heart of the issue... "Without a complete understanding of the coordination required between the documents, I doubt that the LEED process and complexities would even be appreciated for the task it is. And that lack of appreciation could make the task more difficult" Thanks, Marty Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 7 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 10:30 am:    I agree with Lynn too. The CDT coursework is valuable for all members of the design and construction team, including Owners and product reps. The LEED AP certification doesn't actually prepare you to do anything useful. Marty Sweeney, CSI, CDT, LEED-AP Senior Member Username: marty_sweeney Post Number: 12 Registered: 07-2004 Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 10:47 am:    Lisa: With all respect, I disagree with the statement that LEED AP doesn't prepare you to do anything useful. CDT, and CSI certifications certainly give you context well beyond LEED but, given the wide adoption and implementation of LEED, understanding the process is relevant and useful. Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 8 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 11:39 am:    I'm sorry Marty, but I've met too many LEED aps with no concept of the program or its relevance to their own projects. The LEED exam was possibly the stupidest test I have ever taken in my life. Understanding the entire design and construction process creates a structure for applying sustainable design principles to the whole. Isn't that the big idea? Marty Sweeney, CSI, CDT, LEED-AP Senior Member Username: marty_sweeney Post Number: 13 Registered: 07-2004 Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 11:56 am:    Lisa: Fair enough. My experience is a little different because I was leading a team in the certification (EB) of our headquarters. I will agree that some of the questions on the LEED AP exam dealt more with credit details that were unnecessary vs. concept and applicable knowledge. I took the exam for NC 2.1. I understand they've improved it since then. Taking the CDT exam or progressing to one of the CSI certifications is, by far, one of the best venues for professional development available in the construction industry. CSI sets the bar high for other organizations...and that's a good thing. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 827 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 12:34 pm:    some of my colleagues and I run into the issue of "document ignorance" with LEED AP consultants all the time, so I definitely agree that the CDT provides some basic knowledge that could be critical to the LEED process. typical: not knowing how Division 1 affects the total set of documents; not understanding how specs are organized; not understanding the contractual issues between owner, contractor and architect. I regularly get "requirements" sent to me by LEED consultants that aren't even remotely appropriate to a real project going to bid. problem is, the clients aren't asking for a CDT -- and they are asking for LEED.