How to Create Specifications People Will Follow
Listen to the full episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Challenge
You are the Planning and Scheduling Manager at a major data center company. When you started, the company had an outdated schedule specification. One key aspect of improving delivery is updating the specification. How would you go about improving it?
Greg also challenged me to create a specification. See below.
Key Takeaways
Take these into consideration due to the boring factor;
Concise Summary
The podcast begins with an overview of schedule specifications, emphasizing their role in project management. Micah highlights the importance of these documents in providing clear guidelines for contractors, covering various aspects like quality, commissioning, and safety. He stresses the evolution of these specifications from mere software user manuals to comprehensive guides that encompass planning, scheduling, and progress tracking.
Greg and Micah then discuss the practical aspects of creating effective specifications. They underscore the need for clarity, simplicity, and relevance, suggesting the inclusion of multimedia elements like videos and diagrams to cater to modern attention spans. They also emphasize the significance of explaining the 'why' behind each specification, enhancing understanding and compliance.
The conversation pivots to the importance of tailoring specifications to the needs of the project and its stakeholders. Micah advocates for a user-centric approach, considering the perspectives of those who will be implementing the specifications. This approach leads to more practical, usable documents that genuinely aid in project management.
The podcast concludes with a discussion on the broader implications of well-crafted schedule specifications. Greg points out that these documents are not just about project management but also about improving overall management skills. They serve as tools for defining roles, setting objectives, and establishing clear processes.
Tactical Takeaway
Review your current schedule specifications, identify areas for improvement, and start with small, manageable updates. This incremental approach allows for gradual improvement without overwhelming the team or disrupting ongoing projects.
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Bonus Material
Specifications From the Internet
Below are 12 specifications I found on the internet. Add any that you’ve come across in the comments and I’ll add it to this post.?
Title: Schedule Assessment Guide | Best Practices for Project Schedules
Organization: U.S. Government Accountability Office?
Date Published: December 2015
Title: Planning and Scheduling
Organization: U.S. Department of Energy?
Date Published: April 2022
Title: Project Schedules
Organization: Department of the Army
Date Published: September 2017
Title: Guidelines for Developing and Reviewing Baseline Schedules for Wyoming Transportation Projects
Organization: Mountain-Plains Region
Date Published: July 2022
领英推荐
Title: Critical Path for Project Development
Organization: Kentucky Transportation Center
Date Published: November 2019
Title: Critical Path Method Design Manual
Organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction & Facilities Management
Date Published: December 2012
Title: Best Practices for CPM Schedule Specification Compliance
Organization: New York Department of Transportation
Date Published: May 2016
Title: Construction Scheduling Manual
Organization: The State of New Jersey
Date Published: 2013
Title: P6 Schedule Creation and Baseline Process
Organization: Minnesota Department of Transportation
Date Published: June 2014
Title: Desktop Procedures for Primavera Scheduler
Organization: Washington State Department of Transportation
Date Published: February 2009
Title: Cost-Loaded Network Analysis Schedules (NAS)
Organization: Department of Defense
Date Published: May 2018
Title: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction
Organization: Tennessee Department of Transportation?
Date Published: January 2021
Absolutely thrilled by your approach to revolutionizing documentation in construction planning! ?? As Steve Jobs once said, "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." Your podcast is leading the charge towards engaging and user-friendly specification documents. ?? Speaking of innovation, Treegens is sponsoring the Guinness World Record for Tree Planting! ??Think your audience might be interested in being part of history? Check it out: https://bit.ly/TreeGuinnessWorldRecord