Step 1: Project Scoping
We interrogate the current documentation and develop a structured scope sheet.
Imagine a consultant, let’s call him Asanka, armed with a magnifying glass in one hand and his long black in the other, as he dives into the investigative scoping process within the labyrinth of an Architect’s design drawings.
His eyes dart across the screen like a detective on the brink of cracking a high-profile case. With each new discovery, Asanka mutters to himself, “Aha! Another lining type hiding in the layer, nice try!”
He types furiously, scoping out the project as if he’s decoding an ancient manuscript.
Every material – from the undocumented waterproofing membrane to the Architectural framing with aspirations of becoming structural steel – is apprehended in his trusty scope sheet.
By the end of his interrogation, Asanka emerges smoking a cigar, scope sheet populated, victorious, as if he’s just mapped the entire genome of the building, ready to proclaim, “Eureka! The mystery of the missing masonry has been solved!”
Step 2: Kickoff Meeting
We meet with the client and workshop the project in its entirety, updating the scope sheet and flagging unresolved issues.
When Asanka meets the architect for the kick-off meeting, picture a scene from an old Western film. The doors swing open, and there stands Asanka, steel toed cowboy boots and laptop clutched like a sheriff’s badge, ready for the showdown. The architect, armed with rolls of plans and a sharp pencil in the holster, tips their hard hat in greeting.
They settle at the dusty table, and a tumbleweed moment of silence before the storm ensues. Asanka starts off, “Now, let’s herd these material specifications into the corral, shall we?”
They pore over the documents together, with Asanka pointing out the ghost towns on the design drawings where details are as missing as outlaws on the run.
The architect responds to the entries in the scope sheet with the speed of a seasoned gunslinger, while Asanka interrogates each line with the tenacity of a gold prospector sifting for nuggets. “What’s the story with these here acoustic panels?” Asanka asks, squinting sceptically. “Ah,” the architect responds with a grin, “those are the silent heroes of our story, absorbing echoes faster than a sponge in a rainstorm.”
They banter back and forth, filling in blanks and unraveling the mysteries of the project. By the end of the meeting, they’ve mapped out the territory together, every nook, cranny, and crevice of the building accounted for.
The scope sheet, once a barren landscape, now teems with life, ready for the construction journey ahead.
And as they shake hands, the architect with a newfound respect for Asanka’s eagle-eyed expertise, is clear that this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership in the wild world of specification consulting.
Step 3: Draft Specification Production
We prepare a draft specification using our inhouse specification baseline content and produce a query report identifying all outstanding information.
Asanka, now back amidst a fortress of product samples and dual monitors, sets the stage for his next great act: composing the scope sheet into the magnum opus of technical specifications.
He perches at the edge of his ergonomic chair, punctuating the silence with a melodic symphony of clicks and clacks, detailing the procurement strategy and contractors responsibilities like a timeless concerto.
Each keystroke is deliberately choreographed to capture the essence of the design intent. Asanka conducts the language of construction with the flair of a seasoned maestro, his screen alight with the words that will dictate the rise of structures yet to grace the skyline.
The destiny of polymers and plasters are scripted, their roles in the grand production immortalized in systems build-ups and sample panels. “Ah, insulation, you fluffy guardian of energy efficiency, you really do get around” he chuckles fondly with a click of his mouse.
With the fervor of a playwright during opening night, Asanka weaves a narrative that binds the architect’s vision with the tangible reality of construction. The document grows, a literary behemoth, each clause a pledge to the quality, execution and aesthetic integrity of the future project.
Asanka leans back with a look of satisfaction, the draft specification, a voluminous testament to the myriad of materials and construction details, now awaits the scrutinizing eyes of the architect.
Together, they will polish this initial draft, ensuring that every line, every word, serves the singular purpose of transforming concept into concrete reality.
Step 4: Client review and commenting
The client reviews the draft specification and scope sheet, providing feedback directly through our cloud-based specification tool.
From the Architect’s perspective, as they unwrap Asanka’s latest creation, it’s as if each page of the specification is a canvas where their vision has been translated with remarkable detail and care.
As they pore over the document, the Architect adds their personal touches, infusing the document with nuances of their signature style, enhancing Asanka’s comprehensive draft with strokes of individuality and flair.
The Architect is struck by the depth and breadth of the draft. It’s as if Asanka has stepped into their mind, capturing the essence of their design ethos while also respecting the immutable laws of construction and material science.
With each page, their appreciation grows. They’re not just reading a specification; they’re journeying through a narrative that weaves their artistic vision with practical realities. The realization that this document will guide their project from concept to completion fills them with a sense of security.
As they add their final touches, the Architect feels a surge of elation. They are eager to see how this partnership will continue to transform their architectural dreams into concrete realities.
Step 5: Tender/ Construction Issue
We update the draft specification, proofread it and issue for tender/ construction.
In his studio of digital canvases and creative drafts, Asanka, with the flair of an artist, prepares to infuse the technical specification with a fresh wave of creativity.
Reviewing the Architect’s feedback like a palette of vibrant colours, each comment is a hue waiting to be blended into the evolving body of the document.
Treating each piece of feedback as a stroke of his brush, Asanka layers the suggestions, adding context to the document.
Then, like an artist stepping back to view his canvas, Asanka examines the document from every angle, ensuring that each sentence is a harmonious part of the whole. He refines grammar and terminology with the precision of a sculptor, smoothing and shaping the text until it becomes a cohesive, eloquent piece.
Finally, as he completes his meticulous review, Asanka stands back to admire the fusion of technical detail and artistic expression. The technical specification, now a vivid and coherent work, stands as a tribute to the union of the Architect’s imaginative design and the practicalities of construction.
Satisfied, Asanka awaits the opportunity to witness what was once digital drawings and words, become a space to be shared by people.
