Pecking Order

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Author Message Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 1265 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 11:21 am:    111005 THE PECKING ORDER OF EQUITY by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT Cincinnati, OH The truth be known, we are tied to the documents we produce. And unfortunately they are perceived to be anything from necessary evils, to unneeded, fee-sucking clap-trap that does nothing for the project but add cost and confound progress. Yea, sure! But we’ll see you in court when something goes awry, and big trouble is afoot; then let’s see who and what documents “save your bacon”! How does the downtrodden, heel of the shoe, obstructionist, confounder come riding to the rescue? This, dear fellow specifications writers, is the challenge we face, must deal with, and resolve! The incongruity of this is both strikingly unfathomable, and silly. Are we, each, a true professional replete with insight, knowledge, experience, resourcefulness, drive, dedication and of worth to our office and each project therein? Are we not basically “company people” always watching out for the good of our firm as well as the interest of our clientele? Do we not contribute in a rather unique fashion, augmenting and enhancing the content of the documentation process and directly influencing the success of each project? Are there not others involved with the projects of whom the same might be said? What of the designer? The Project Architect? The Lead Engineer? The Project Manager? The Principal or Associate in charge? The CAD xxxxxxxxxxx? So OK, similar performance should yield equality or pecking order? Well, folks, we ain’t all equal-- that’s for dang sure!!! We, spec writers, are not even equal to the graphics guys—the CADiks, the ITers, the delineators [several factors contribute to this]. We sure aren’t in the same league with the designers. And of course, every project has a hierarchy that runs and monitors the project in its various phases. So what of equity? Are we equal to anyone else? Is our worth, information, insight, broad knowledge and skill equal to that of anyone else? Are we “above” some; below many? What’s our “fit”, and why? • Well, fellow spec writers I guess if we toot our own horns, we will be egoists and rabble-rousers. But really we have a daunting chore-- elevate the status of our work, its impact on project work, and its worth overall to illustrate the inherent value of both document and writer. We seek no accolades, but simple inclusion and respect would be very nice. Equity would be great when coupled with those truly equal in project contribution.