I became interested in specifications while working as an intern architect reviewing shop drawings. I quickly understood how poorly written specs could make the role of shop drawing review incredibly challenging. As a contractor administrator, I experienced firsthand how specs could streamline the job or turn it into a royal nightmare. A poorly written specification can be costly for many across the industry. Drawing from these experiences, I began to take a deeper interest in spec writing and took some courses through Construction Specifications Canada (CSC-DCC).
As you likely know, specifications adhere to certain formats, or at least they should. Without them, we would have disarray across a multibillion-dollar industry.
MasterFormat (MF) is a document jointly published by CSC-DCC and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). I mention it here because I am not sure everyone in the industry knows it exists. According to the MasterFormat website, “MasterFormat unifies your project under a common standard—connecting designs, building products, preconstruction activities, estimates, and contracts, and construction—supporting all phases of a safe, efficient construction project.”
Trade work is organized by this structure. Manufacturers use it to categorize their products. MasterFormat serves as both a wayfinder and a method to categorize and organize what specification writers call “work results.” For a variety of reasons, it is essential we all use the same document. Having it in your offices or on the jobsite is a wise investment.
In Canada, CSC offers several courses that can help individuals better understand how to eventually write project specifications and attain two designations.
These are trustworthy designations; within CSC, there are two designations—certified specification practitioner (CSP) and registered specification writer (RSW). These are the only two designations offered in Canada for this type of specialized work. They are highly regarded and ensure that individuals holding either designation possess a high degree of knowledge and experience that can be trusted. One primary distinction between the two is that RSWs are expected to have a considerable amount of experience in contract administration and with other disciplines.
My message is twofold: when requiring a specification for a project, look for these designations. Secondly, if you do not already have it, consider purchasing MasterFormat; it is a valuable resource.
Yours in service. I am CSC.
