Designing Specifications–A Challenge

Designing specifications is a challenge and requires the services of skilled and experienced engineers. The philosophy of a specification is most important, as it provides a thread of continuity throughout the document. In designing specifications the engineer should remember brevity, objectivity, and realism. He should avoid repetition and unnecessarily restrictive clauses. By using the statistical approach, motivation can be introduced to provide incentives for product control and quality. The statistical approach requires strictly random sampling. Proper sampling must be preceded by the establishment of a sampling plan that provides the degree of reliability desired, at minimum cost. Field follow-up during construction, by the specification engineer, is essential to permit him to evaluate his work and thus maintain realism in specifications for future projects. A four-step plan for designing specifications is outlined.