Future of specifications

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Author Message David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 939 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 04:22 pm:    Gaze into your crystal ball and tell me what you think the future of specifications will look like. Certainly the way specifications are written now will not be the way they will be written years from now.....or will it? Will specifications even exist? Will specifiers go the way of buggy whip makers? Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 230 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 05:01 pm:    Whether specifications will be prepared as they are now, or in some other manner--whether graphic and written information will become integrated or remain separate--whether the written data is called specifications or something else--whether there continue to be "specifiers" or "written information managers" or whatever--that really is just window dressing. There always will be a need for people who are problem solvers, people who can think, who can define a problem and then come up with solutions. What these people are called, or the form that their work product takes, is trivial. And now I'm going home and get ready to eat turkey and my wife's famous apple pie in a bag. John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 357 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 01:42 pm:    Where did you find a big enough bag to fit into while you eat turkey and apple pie? Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 231 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 04:10 pm:    Ask a foolish question..... http://www.bagstore.com/ Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 573 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 05:13 pm:    Who in their right mind would be posting on Thanksgiving? Oops, nevermind... Happy Thanksgiving! Christopher E. Grimm, CSI, CCS, LEEDŽ-AP, MAI, RLA Senior Member Username: tsugaguy Post Number: 114 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 07:57 am:    I believe it is, and will increasingly be, exactly like Ron described in the thread "Where Have All The Specifiers Gone?", 11/20/07: "The only difference between BIM and 'Pre-BIM' is the timing of information integration. In Pre-BIM, the design begins by using 2D or basic 3D drawings; but as the project moves into the later phases of design, the specifier starts his task by filling in the blanks that designers have left until near the end. However, with BIM, many of those blanks need to be filled early in the process, otherwise a model can not be generated. Therefore, not only is the specifier still a vital part of the BIM team, but the specifier's early involvement in the project increases significantly." The need for problem solving skills is not going away, it is becoming needed earlier in the process. We are seeing this in our offices as more teams are using Revit. Specifiers' input on proper drawing notations early in the process can save a lot of trouble. It is a good idea for specifiers to have a copy of the BIM software even if not actively drafting, simply to learn how the settings work and become familiar with how specs may begin to interface with drawing notes. This is actually only a baby step. The real leap will come when a true relational database system for specifications really interfaces with the BIM model in real time. The potential of much more efficient editing and also better management of masters will begin to be realized. Still, this will not in any way reduce the need for specifiers. All the same decisions will still need to be made for what is right for each product and system on each unique project. And for those who choose to invest a small portion of their time with a "fix it once" mentality, it will be easier to maintain a library of standard choices, perhaps with preferred or default choices, that can be tied to what is in the model. Firms who take this approach will find that BIM can help develop better specs at the same speed as before. But for those who choose to run alongside their bike because they don't have time to get on, and continue without a fix-it-once approach, I doubt that anyone will actually get just-as-good specs faster than before. Instead, they will get worse specs faster. David J. Wyatt Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_csi_ccs_ccca Post Number: 88 Registered: 07-2005 Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 12:30 pm:    Mr. Grimm's observations are well-taken, as are others on this thread. A rare, vital, yet unquantifiable personality trait that many specifiers have is the ability to interact with product representatives and construction specialists. Architects ask me " Who do you know..." as often as they ask "What product would you recommend?" This network takes some years to develop and some specifiers protect it carefully. I have learned that bringing curious designers and trusted product representatives together is good for everyone in the process. Once your reputation for knowing the most knowledgeable reps is established, people will always regard you as an indispensible team member. So, one's social skills in this regard will assure your future. The late Woody Hayes was fond of saying, "You win with people." No matter how sophisticated our tools become, I think this will always be true. Christopher E. Grimm, CSI, CCS, LEEDŽ-AP, MAI, RLA Senior Member Username: tsugaguy Post Number: 115 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 06:09 pm:    That is right, people must come first. True of working relationships inside as well as outside of office. We should as a profession and as individuals strive to cultivate a personal approach, and the value we bring will certainly be recognized all the more.