| Author |
Message |
Paul Gerber
Senior Member
Username: paulgerber
Post Number: 105
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 04:15 pm: |    |
I know there has been discussions about architects and specifications on many of the forums I frequent. I also remember a particular comment from a regular spec writing contributor where a comment was made about bring up the topic of specs at an AIA event and the nerve he must have had doing so. I got quite a chuckle from that comment!
I was just perusing my Twitter when I saw a tweet from the OAA (Ontario Association of Architects) stating "If you missed it, our List of Con-Ed workshops with descriptions & times can be found here," with a link. I was curious to see if this was in reference to their upcoming conference, or just ConEd in general so I followed the link. It turned out to be for their conference, so once again I decided to scan the list to see what was being offered when I came across the title of this session and the description below.
Not only am I AMAZED that architects are talking about specs at their convention (this comment is not in ANY way a slight to the Registered Architects that are dedicated and proficient specification writers that I have gotten to "know" here or on any other forums)...BUT...the session is SOLD OUT...and...they are actually offering this session TWICE at the same conference!!
Now you can see why I have titled this post the way I have!!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
05CE - Specs 101 - Basics, Pitfalls and Survival
10 MAY 2012 - 8:30AM-12:00PM
3 OAA ConEd learning hours
3 AIA LU
SOLD OUT: This session has been sold out.
This session is being offered again Thursday, May 10 from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Course Outline
This course will cover basic skills used in writing clear, enforceable construction specifications in harmony with the Construction Specifications Canada Manual of Practice and educational courses. It will include imperative language, vocabulary, trade names, spelling, grammar, terminology, coordination, abbreviations, symbols, and numbers. It will outline the content and application of joint CSC/CSI documents such as MasterFormat and SectionFormat/PageFormat to both master specs and project specs. The session will cover using the NMS National Master Specification and other office or in-house master specs; “environmental green wash”; and the interface between CCDC-2 for private sector work/Treasury Board SACC for federal government work and the rest of Divisions 00 and 01. It will address specifier qualifications including the technical competence, ethics and values required to produce enforceable project documents, constructability, limit liability and maximize profit.
Learning Objectives:
Develop and Refine Specification Writing Skills
Become aware of Project Manual and Product Data Pitfalls
Examine MasterFormat, SectionFormat/PageFormat and the NMS
Find Resources No Specifier Should be Without
Presenter
Cathy Ferren-Palmer began her career in surveying and civil/municipal engineering in 1975 switching to the architectural discipline in 1977. After graduating and working in the both the private sector and municipal government she has dedicated her career since 1981 to full time construction specification writing specializing in architectural while producing or supervising specifications in all disciplines. Cathy is very proficient in working on and critiquing the National Master Specification and other master specifications, providing quality assurance reviews on project documents and enjoys teaching and coaching new and intermediate specification writers.
Ride it like you stole it!!! |
Paul Gerber
Senior Member
Username: paulgerber
Post Number: 106
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 04:18 pm: | |
OH MY!! I am suffering a little bit of embarrassment here, but I didn't see it until after I hit the "post" button...the title of this post should have been...
"What's Next...The Four HORSEMEN of the Appocalypse??"
Boy, do I feel silly!!
Ride it like you stole it!!! |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1466
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 04:26 pm: | |
Um...and it's "apocalypse" - and there's no Canadian spelling excuse here.
But with the world ending this year - the true apocalypse, according to those interpreting the Aztec calendar, those Architects who finally get it will be getting it just a wee bit late, won't they?. |
Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: specman
Post Number: 1009
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 04:40 pm: | |
I guess it's a case of "repent and ye shall be saved."
Ron Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
www.specsandcodes.com |
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg
Post Number: 226
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 04:54 pm: | |
Lynn, I thought it was the Mayans.
Paul, this has to one of the most amazing things in recent memory. Of course, looking at the agenda for the AIA Convention next week in Washington, DC, no such course is being offered.
There are a couple of courses that somewhat address specs, but they are provided by manufacturers as part of the CES program:
"ISO 13007 and ANSI standards: the best of both worlds for specifying tile adhesives and grouts";
"Designing with natural stone: Sourcing and selecting Materials for successful designs"; and
"Sustainability, water conservation, and LEED Projects".
Oh well, maybe next year. |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1467
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 04:59 pm: | |
Ken, you're probably right...I didn't fact-check.
And you're both right - this is the most amazing thing! It means there's hope for us all...We Americans have looked to our northern neighbors for many innovative things, and this is one more. I think this should be posted to the Linkedin AIA discussion just to stir things up - and maybe, just maybe - wake some people up in the process. |
Gerard Sanchis
Senior Member
Username: gerard_sanchis
Post Number: 71
Registered: 10-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 05:06 pm: | |
While by extension the apocalypse may mean the end of the world, thus the reference to the Mayan calendar (which by the way indicates the end of a cycle, not necessarily the end of the world), I believe it’s a text authored by John the Evangelist in the Book of Revelation written in a cave on the island of Patmos which I just visited. |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1468
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 05:37 pm: | |
Well, you're right, Gerard. The horsemen - and their horses - appear in the book of Revelation. They are white, red, black and "pale" and symbolize conquest, war, famine and death; and together, they are to destroy what's here before the final judgement. But I hope that's not going to happen because Canadian Architects want to learn how to write specifications! |
Paul Gerber
Senior Member
Username: paulgerber
Post Number: 107
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 06:27 pm: | |
Lynn, I don't care what you say, I'm claiming Canadian spelling for my typo...or pehaps I will blame Colin because the forum doesn't spell check the title...yeah that's the ticket!!! And i hate to admit it, but Ken is right (please don't tell him I agreed with him again!!), it is the Mayan calendar.
Ron, maybe but somehow i doubt it...we're talking about architects here!! LOL
Ken, I'm thinking maybe Liz O'Sullivan will blog about this and maybe the AIA will pick up on it through that route! I LOVE Liz's blog! I'm sure she must be on some kind of AIA "terror watchlist" for some of the challenging and blunt blog posts she has written!! Liz, if you read this, keep up the AWESOME blogs!!!
Gerard...a vacation, on an island I have never heard of, but I am assuming is in and around the north coast of Africa/Red Sea/Mediterrainean Sea area by context...are you sure you're in the architectural profession?? lol
And finally Lynn, I would be so hopd to say that Canadian Architects want to learn how to write specs...but at least some of them in Ontario do...not sure about British Columbia, Alberta or the rest of the provinces and territories!! And in 1.25 hours, even though I know Cathy, I don't think, no I know, nobody can learn to write specs! Heck, I'm just impressed hey are admitting specs are more than a necessary evil in order to appear fulfill their due diligence to the client (just because you have Project Manual doesn't mean it contains any pertinent, useful information) and in order to get a building permit!
Oh yeah...I don't know what all this talk about the Book of Revelation is about...I was referring go the movie Apocalypse Now, which was set in Vietnam..."Surf's Up!!"  ...and I know with he median age of spec writers on this forum, ya'll get that reference!! eh?
Ride it like you stole it!!! |
Paul Gerber
Senior Member
Username: paulgerber
Post Number: 108
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 06:33 pm: | |
Ohhhhh...and I almost forgot to mention...after I posted my original comment, I went back and finished checking out the ConEd offering...and guess what? Yessir indeed...the second session for spec writing is also SOLD OUT!!!
Now I'm getting downright worried the end is truly NEAR!!! LOL
Ride it like you stole it!!! |
Liz O'Sullivan
Senior Member
Username: liz_osullivan
Post Number: 44
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 07:39 pm: | |
Paul, I was too busy alienating Owners with my latest blog post to follow this discussion earlier today.
I'll add this topic to my list of possible blog post subjects! |
Mac Taylor (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 05:15 pm: | |
Just how many years--nay, decades--have specifiers been urging the sleeping sinners to awake? I'm sure it'll happen by the time of the Apocalypse. Or, maybe it's we who are sleeping? |
Alan Mays, AIA
Senior Member
Username: amays
Post Number: 78
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 07:48 pm: | |
Do not hold your breath for the AIA to talk about technical topics. I was a presenter twice at the AIA national convention and my topic was... Construction Documents! Did 4 hour workshops in 2007 and 2009. Today, they really do not have much in the way technical topics. I have went to the AIA national convention and sat in spec seminars. They were usually packed. While I lament that the convention has turned into a buzz word sessions, lest we forget, it is all about design. The workshops were sold out and when one of my co-presenters gave a regular session seminar, the topic drew in one of the most attended 1-1/2 hour sessions in the history of the convention. Sadly, these sessions are not stressed by the AIA so it gets lost in the fog.
The technical sessions are all now on the floor with the vendors. Whether it is Arcom or BSD, Autodesk or Archicad they are doing their sessions at their booths.
I would also challenge any of you to submit for a session on specifications to the AIA. They are always looking for good presentations. You can also walk the expo floor and spend days getting all the "gimme" stuff to fill your suitcase. Go have fun with the potential clients (if you are an independent). I even got the chance to meet Colin Gilboy at one of the conventions. |
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg
Post Number: 228
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 09:59 am: | |
Anyone going to be there next week?
Should be some good parties if nothing else. |
J. Peter Jordan, FCSI, CCS, AIA, LEED AP (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 10:30 am: | |
One of my manufacturer rep friends said that at the AIA convention he saw firm principals who refered him to his firm's spec writer; at CSI, he saw and talked to the spec writer. The firm would not fund the spec writer to the AIA convention, but more manufacturers are opting to participate only in AIA. What's wrong with this picture? |
Dave Metzger
Senior Member
Username: davemetzger
Post Number: 424
Registered: 07-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 12:06 pm: | |
With apologies to Grantland Rice:
Outlined against a blue-gray May sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: clear, concise, correct, and complete. They formed the crest of the specifications cyclone before which another fighting AIA convention was swept over the precipice at the DC Convention Center this afternoon as 55,000 architects peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below. |
Liz O'Sullivan
Senior Member
Username: liz_osullivan
Post Number: 45
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 12:23 pm: | |
Funny, Dave!
(I'm not a sports fan, but I did graduate from Notre Dame.) |
Paul Gerber
Senior Member
Username: paulgerber
Post Number: 110
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 12:49 pm: | |
55,000 architects in the same room = minimum 75,000 opinions on any given subject being discussed!!
Ride it like you stole it!!! |
Sheldon Wolfe
Senior Member
Username: sheldon_wolfe
Post Number: 564
Registered: 01-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 01:18 pm: | |
Almost as bad as specifiers! ;-) |
Paul Gerber
Senior Member
Username: paulgerber
Post Number: 111
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 01:31 pm: | |
Sheldon, depends how many hats we are wearing at that point in the day, AND which specifiers are there. But we at least give 2 or 3 viable options, not just different options depending how the wind blows or the "juxtaposition of the sun to the moon and other multitudinous stellar entities, whose very arrangement create an underlying sense of warmth and feeling in the overall space in which the discussion is occurring amongst the participating members of the overall design community as a whole"...sorry, I must not be very good at that kind of "prose", I couldn't work dichotomy into that statement :-S
Ride it like you stole it!!! |
Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP
Senior Member
Username: redseca2
Post Number: 338
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 01:55 pm: | |
"55,000 architects in the same room"
Hey you, you in the black turtleneck! |
Alan Mays, AIA
Senior Member
Username: amays
Post Number: 79
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 01:58 pm: | |
@ Ken: I am not going this year. Personal issues to deal with still so travel availibility is minimized.
@Peter: It is the norm that the principals of architecture firms do not fund anything for the employees. That typically is a benefit that is only offered to officers of the company. BTW, that is why I think technical topics are not done much at the convention. The ones that go typically do not involve themselves in technical issues anymore and are out of touch with modern technical issues. Let's not go down that rat hole. Many firms do not pay for individual licensure/registration of architects, but they want you to become registered. Today, most employees bear the cost themselves. With what they are paid these days, no one actually working full time can afford it anymore.
@Sheldon + Paul (the token Canadian): In my opinion, specifiers can even be worse! Just look at this forum. LOL!
If CSI and AIA got smart (yeah right, like that is ever going to happen) they should consider joining forces. I am sure the manufacturers would like it since these days, their marketing budgets are stressed to the max. It could also make the Expo even larger, but if it got larger, then I would recommend that the convention add a day due to the size of the floor. They should also consider having a day for the Expo with no sessions. Then the Architects and Specifiers would have more Expo time. When I go, I go to get CEUs and educate myself as much as possible. Floor time is therefore limited. The virtual convention even makes it easier to not attend the Expo at all and I consider that a bad thing. |
Doug Frank FCSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: doug_frank_ccs
Post Number: 294
Registered: 06-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 02:14 pm: | |
Liz, even if you're not a sports fan, having graduated from Notre Dame you should know that the real names of the 4 horsemen are: Quarterback Harry Stuhldreher; left halfback Jim Crowley; right halfback Don Miller and fullback Elmer Layden from the 1922 football team. That's almost as iconic as the Grotto, the Moses "We're No. 1" statue, and Touchdown Jesus for every ND graduate ;-)
Doug Frank FCSI, CCS, SCIP Affiliate
FKP Architects, Inc.
Houston, TX |
Paul Gerber
Senior Member
Username: paulgerber
Post Number: 113
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 02:25 pm: | |
Alan...yeah but that should be expected here...we're the "outcast misfits" of the architectural, sorry AEC (for our frequent contributors such as Mark Gilligan from the other parts of our professions) world!
Of course we will actually comment/debate with others who we know will actually (hopefully) listen to and value our opinion for once, without our collective asses being held over a rather large fire (fuelled by such insignificant things as hard copies of the Project Manual and Drawings) on site during construction!!
Ride it like you stole it!!! |
Alan Mays, AIA
Senior Member
Username: amays
Post Number: 80
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 02:50 pm: | |
Paul, not many value our opinion much anymore. ;-) |
Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP
Senior Member
Username: ecwhitby
Post Number: 146
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 03:17 pm: | |
Paul;
I have to ask: you stated that “55,000 architects in the same room = minimum 75,000 opinions on any given subject being discussed!!”
I tried to figure that match behind your statement and am bollixed. I come up with several apparently plausible scenarios:
One architect (on average) has about 1.36 (1 4/11) opinions on an single subject; or
Some architects have no opinions, and others have a plethora.
Of course, if we start categorizing the opinions based upon merit or “real world” feasibility, the sample would no doubt become skewed.
I ask purely in the interests of scientific inquiry. ;-) |
Sheldon Wolfe
Senior Member
Username: sheldon_wolfe
Post Number: 565
Registered: 01-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 06:40 pm: | |
Lovely prose, Paul! My favorite architectural phrase, which I use as often as possible, is "relieving the tension between the earth and sky elements."
At least when we're discussing material properties they can be defined, unlike the "properties" discussed by our more esteemed brethern. And sistern.
Ellis, your math is faulty; any calculation involving architects must include irrational numbers. |
Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: specman
Post Number: 1010
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 06:49 pm: | |
I think you can add "imaginary numbers," too.
Ron Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
www.specsandcodes.com |
Paul Gerber
Senior Member
Username: paulgerber
Post Number: 114
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 12:05 am: | |
Eliis, I've often heard people say if you have 3 architects in a discussion you'll get at least 4 different opinions on a subject...the big number of 55,000 scared me without my calculator handy so I'll claim I rounded the number to 75,000 to keep it a nice round number!
Sheldon, you're much better at that prose stuff than I am...that's probably why they keep me away from the flowery stuff and restrict me to the technical stuff "Provide control joints at locations indicated on the Drawings."...see I can handle that, most of the time!!
Steven, I'm glad I wasn't drinking coffee whe I read your comment or my PlayBook screen might not have survived!! Don't forget the round I.M. Pei style glasses!!
Ron, of course imaginary numbers...it makes up for the LOW numbers that are negotiated for our fees on projects and makes everyone feel better about ourselves!!!
Ride it like you stole it!!! |
Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP
Senior Member
Username: ecwhitby
Post Number: 147
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 07:55 am: | |
Paul and Sheldon;
I stand (sit?) corrected: I forgot the irrationality inevitable involved in architectural opinions. |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1471
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 09:48 am: | |
Having all YOU guys in one location would provide hours of hilarity! Either my jaw would hurt from laughing, or my sarcasm and irony would be severely bent. |
Mac Taylor (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 05:24 pm: | |
If I was not in construction, and happened onto this forum, I would come to the conclusions:
-Specifiers must know everything and be the saviors of A/E firms.
-Architects must be preening idiots who ignore the wisdom of specifiers.
-Specifiers begrudge, rightfully, the architects their success and leadership roles.
However, as a lifelong specifier, I know that, Get any group of specifiers in a room [even a virtual one] and inevitably, the discussion turns in this direction. |
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg
Post Number: 229
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 - 10:02 am: | |
We're just as hard on each other, and ourselves, if not more-so. Architects are just an easy target but we say it all with love. Okay, stop laughing!
My standard opening statement to architects before starting a QC review is that it's a lot easier to tear apart someone's work than it is to produce it.
The issue isn't that we don't appreciate what architects do, it's that we don't feel the same appreciation. Frankly, I believe that most architect don't even know what we do.
Kind of like developers not respecting architects because they have no idea what architects do. Everyone thinks that they can be an architect. Most people have no appreciation for the level of effort required to put a building, any building, together properly.
Thankfully, Colin has provided us with this forum to let us blow off steam. Better here than somewhere in public. Oh, wait... |
Liz O'Sullivan
Senior Member
Username: liz_osullivan
Post Number: 46
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 - 10:12 am: | |
Ken, very nicely said.
It is important to remember how hard each of us is on him/herself.
The biggest critic in my life (aside from myself) is my 8-year old. He's very hard on me, and even harder on himself.
This really illustrates to me that the more we expect from ourselves, the more critical we are of others. |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1473
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 - 10:23 am: | |
It's OK to demand excellence from yourself and, consequently, from others around you. But excellence is vastly different from perfection. We must allow mistakes, errors, omissions, failures and just plain "oopses" and "dangs" while striving to reduce them and their impact. Quality checks and reviews by other parties help tremendously.
Rather than point fingers and accuse, we should be grateful when an error is discovered - especially when it can be rectified by redrawing a line or changing a spec before anything is actually under construction.
Part of my CSI elevator speech is pointing out the collaborative attitude that can result from having dinner together the night before a project meeting. It's hard to yell at someone who shares your faith in your favorite team! |
Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP
Senior Member
Username: ecwhitby
Post Number: 148
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 - 10:39 am: | |
Everyone makes mistakes. What I find disturbing are those who aren’t bothered at all about making them, and those who keep repeating the same mistake over and over. Was it Einstein who said “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?”
I tell coworkers to at least try to be inventive: don’t repeat old mistakes, find new ones to make.
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.” Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) |
Paul Gerber
Senior Member
Username: paulgerber
Post Number: 115
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 - 10:44 am: | |
Lynn...CSI has an elevator?? And it's big enough to give speeches in?? Dang...CSC doesn't have one of those!! I filled gypped!! ;)
I agree, QA reviews from a fresh set of eyes are invaluable! Where you can run into trouble is with the delivery of the comments. There are certain people (my favourite PA being one of them) that sometimes (OK, almost always) puts up a defensive front when you point out some "areas for improvement" (or in some cases some really f'd up sh*t!!). Like I have nothing better to do with my time than dedicate my life to making them look bad! If the delivery is gentle, some of these people start to come around (even my favourite PA is getting better!!) and, hopefully, they eventually start to come to you with questions BEFORE it gets to the point of having to mark up something that could be better (yeah it doesn't happen much to me either, but once in a while it does and it makes me stop and say "WOW, there are some people that are actually starting to show appreciation for my input" and it makes my day or at least 5 minutes or an hour before someone comes along and screws it up again LOL).
I know my office master isn't perfect, and it never will be...but I also know that compared to 5 years ago when I took over the spec writing; it's waaaaayyyyyyy better than it was!! And it's getting "better" every day!
And Liz, yup I am, by a mile, my own worst critic! I probably take it to an extreme some times! But that is just my expectation of myself, and I hope in some small way that hopefully others around me will see that and it will push them to follow my lead and be tougher on themselves to improve our work overall. OK, stop laughing...I'm an anal perfectionist AND an optimist (at least some days)!!
Ride it like you stole it!!! |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1474
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 - 11:17 am: | |
Paul, yup, CSI has an elevator that can take you to the top of your field - through education, certifications, and networking (couldn't resist, folks).
I'm either very fortunate or I speak softly and my big stick is hidden under my desk, but I find that when I make suggestions and point out things that at least deserve further thought, my comments are mostly received favorably (that's "favourably", Paul, just in case you have problems with our language south of the border; does this mean I'm bi-lingual?).
My husband used to work for a company where mistakes were rewarded - if you made an error, the President would give you a candy bar; the point being that at least you tried something! It's far worse to ignore a situation and do nothing than it is to try to "fix" the problem by doing something! (obviously, we can't take that to ridiculous extremes, but as Ellis wrote, find different mistakes to make by doing and trying)
So I continue to point out that the documents are written to the Contractor and the drawings don't have to use "Contractor shall" in the text directions and that proprietary names should not be there! I even suggested that my firm encourage all personnel to take the CDT exam and pay the costs when they pass just like they do for the LEED exam! |
Robert W. Johnson
Senior Member
Username: robert_w_johnson
Post Number: 190
Registered: 03-2009
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 - 11:58 am: | |
It is a good thing to blow off steam in private once in a while. However, to continually blow off steam without doing something to improve the situation is sort of futile – you get rid of your frustrations for a few minutes, but you face the same thing the next day or the next week. No long term improvement.
“The issue isn't that we don't appreciate what architects do, it's that we don't feel the same appreciation. Frankly, I believe that most architect don't even know what we do.”
“This really illustrates to me that the more we expect from ourselves, the more critical we are of others.”
“Rather than point fingers and accuse, we should be grateful when an error is discovered - especially when it can be rectified by redrawing a line or changing a spec before anything is actually under construction.”
“I agree, QA reviews from a fresh set of eyes are invaluable! Where you can run into trouble is with the delivery of the comments.”
“I know my office master isn't perfect, and it never will be.”
“yup I am, by a mile, my own worst critic! I probably take it to an extreme some times! But that is just my expectation of myself, and I hope in some small way that hopefully others around me will see that and it will push them to follow my lead and be tougher on themselves to improve our work overall.”
The design and documentation of a building is a complicated effort usually involving a large number of people (except on the simplest of structures). It has to be a team effort by competent people to be successful.
Some questions to ask ourselves about the teams we work in/with:
• How knowledgeable are the team members about building technology?
• How knowledgeable are the team members about contract document principles?
• Do they speak the same language – common meaning of terms used?
• Do they understand the principles of drawing (model) and specifications coordination?
• Have we ever tried to use a keynoting system to improve drawing/specification coordination?
• Have they ever been shown how specifications can make detailing easier?
• Have they ever been out on the job site during construction?
• Have they ever reviewed any submittals?
• Have we ever modified our master based on team member input?
• Have we ever worked with the team members in coordinating a set of office reference details with the master specification?
If deficiencies such as these exist (I am guessing they do), what can we do to improve the situation? How can we team up with others to attack them? Any efforts made should be within a team approach. What education programs could be initiated to raise the level of people’s knowledge of the principles to follow? Would an in-house CDT program help? Would a basic course in building technology help? Would the formulation of a set of reference details of the firm’s typical construction types coordinated with the firm’s master specification help? All such efforts should be supportive in nature rather than critical. Most people, when they discover they are lacking in knowledge, are eager to obtain it.
Rather than blowing off steam all the time, why not start a thread here where we describe our success stories in improving the competency of people and the team effort of detailed design and production of construction documents? Describe problems that we have had a hard time overcoming and see if someone else has had success with a similar problem. Why not try to move forward together?
I think you will find others having an appreciation for what you do when your efforts result in improvement in the quality of the firm's service. Specifications is not at the forefront of the firm's services; it a supplementary rather than a starring role. As specifiers, because of our knowledge, we have the opportunity to go beyond our specifications role to help others in the firm become more competent and better team players. |
Paul Gerber
Senior Member
Username: paulgerber
Post Number: 120
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 - 05:39 pm: | |
Bob, I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said...but come on, you have to admit it's fun to make fun of "architects" too!
I have actually made a couple of suggestions for improved communication and a mechanism to communicate our challenges with Contract Document prep to the production team masses...hopefully I will get a "yeah" back from the powers-that-be and start the ball rolling!
And I am encouraging some of the "emerging professionals" in the firm (and the number seems to grow monthly, God help us...a balance of a little more experience would be appreciated by many) to take the PCD (Principles of Construction Documents) course (CSC equivalent to CDT). A lot of the young'uns also know that I will take as much time as possible to share any information/knowledge that I can with them about whatever subject is perplexing them...so it's not like I am throwing them to the wolves like the Principals/Managing Architects sometimes seem to do! (They also have come to know that when the crazy stressed-out spec writer is pulling his hair out with a tight deadline, it's probably not a good time to bother him, so there is some hope for them!!)
The environment you expound, however, can only be achieved with a top-down acceptance that it will be beneficial to the firm...AND be modelled daily by the senior management and ownership!! Without that critical buy-in and modelling there may be some improvement by certain people, but the full potential will NEVER be realized!
Ride it like you stole it!!! |
Marc C Chavez
Senior Member
Username: mchavez
Post Number: 456
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 - 05:47 pm: | |
The sun is shining, and it's going to be in the upper 70's this weekend.
I've made my deadlines this week. I may start drinking early.
I like the people I work with.
I've got Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Voodoo Child" on Pandora Radio.
And all is right with the world.
Until next week when again the question will be asked:
"Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?" |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1475
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 10:11 am: | |
Hey Paul, let me know how you do with mentoring the younger emerging professionals...and the powers-that-be. I'm pursuing the same goals. It'd be nice to join forces as much as we can and share our "amazing race"... |
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre
Post Number: 1259
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 05:56 pm: | |
it has been my experience that if you have these three people in your corner you can take over the office:
the on-staff attorney
a technical partner or two
and a principal in charge of some discpline that makes money for the firm and/or provides prestige for the firm
and then you need a really good "rolodex" (or whatever your modern equivalent is) so that if anyone has a problem on their job, you can give them the phone number of the person who can fix it.
and I agree that there are a lot of both imaginary and irrational numbers around the office -- and most of them are wearing black turtlenecks.
(and I am having a very hard time picturing Marc in a handbasket...) |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1477
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 09:33 am: | |
It would have to be a rather large handbasket, wouldn't it? Maybe a two-handbasket...(grin) |
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