Redefining Outline Specifications
In an attempt to innovate and prepare for the future we have been spending a lot of time thinking about new ways of producing specifications and becoming familiar again with the ‘why’ of Specifications.
- Why are they needed?
- When are they needed?
- What are they being used for at key stages?
All good questions, and if asked to many of you I would receive a myriad of different responses. Over the years it is possible that the thinking behind specifications has been lost a touch. Today’s world focusses on automation, BIM, standardisation of content, and the bottom line.
The use of technology in the specification world is something to be taken advantage of, as it is in many industries. BIM too has many advantages and is something to be embraced rather than hidden from.
However, whilst all these things are useful in one way or another there is nothing standard about Architectural design. It is because of this that we are constantly thinking about every aspect of the specification consultancy service and looking for ways to be more efficient, more useful, and better than the rest. This means reviewing everything we have done in the past, questioning it, keeping what is good, rediscovering what has been lost, and changing what doesn’t work.
One such aspect is the often misunderstood and misused Outline Specification. Over the years we have seen Outline Specifications come in all shapes and sizes, from a single one pager outlining a few elements, to 300 page technical documents outlining every nut and bolt, to standard template documents found in the companies 'library' that bare little or no resemblance to the project that it is supposed to be representing.
We always have to remember that people define Specifications, and Outline Specifications very differently. We are quite clear in our thinking. To our mind, a real Outline Specification is one that is:
- Delivered at the Stage 3 (UK) or Schematic Design (Middle East) stage as part of the report deliverable for that stage (which is usually prepared in A3 format)
- For the QS to carry out a cost check, and
- For client sign off in preparation for the next stage of design.
In addition to the above, when working internationally the purpose is to provide the local Architect of Record with information to prepare detailed drawings and specifications for tender.
Rarely is an Outline Specification used as a tender or contract document. In fact, our version of the Outline Specification should never be used for such purposes (it simply isn't detailed enough). This means that we can begin to think differently about the Outline Specification.
Our starting point has been our own Outline Specifications that for years we have simply seen as “slimmed down” versions of our main Specifications created mainly by omitting workmanship clauses etc. We have asked ourselves why do we do it like this and over the last few years begun the process of change.
We have recently been engaged by Architects with the specific instructions to find a better format for Outline Specifications that is clear, concise and includes all the relevant data. We have therefore come up with a new Outline Specification that responds to these requests. The response so far has been hugely positive.
Our Outline Specification is in A3 format so that it can be slotted into a Stage Report. It covers the critical A Section (or Division 1 if CSI is the prevailing format) issues that are necessary at this stage on one page and splits the design into simple elements (e.g. walls, floors, ceilings, etc.) that apply to every building in any location in the world, so it can be used for any international or national format.
Importantly, our Outline Specification is prepared in such a way that there is not only a simple transition into future design stages when life becomes more technical and detailed, but also allows us, from day 1, to slot seamlessly into a BIM environment through simple keynoting and tagging.