NBS<\/a>. With more than 500 responses, the NBS found specifications remain essential but are seeing evolution due to advances in today\u2019s digital landscape.<\/p>\nSpecifications are created for a host of reasons, but most commonly to set out expectations and performance criteria for a project.<\/p>\n
Richard Waterhouse, Chief Executive of NBS said: \u201cWhen we last ran this survey in 2013, we knew that the industry was in a period of transition.<\/p>\n
\u201cRunning the survey again after three years, we\u2019ve seen that specifications are evolving along with the industry, towards more collaborative and digital ways of working.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lifetime specification<\/h3>\n
Interestingly, the survey revealed that over 70 per cent of those surveyed wrote project specifications as part of their day-to-day working life. The survey also revealed an increase in the percentage of people starting specifications earlier.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an industry we\u2019re slowly moving towards a lifetime specification and we\u2019ve started to see small, encouraging increases in parties co-owning and co-creating their specifications \u2013 but there\u2019s still a long way to go,\u201d continued Waterhouse.<\/p>\n
The survey also revealed evidence that collaboration is increasing. Less than 11 per cent revealed they were sharing draft specifications outside their own firm, but this figure was an increase of three per cent when compared to 2013.<\/p>\n
Challenges<\/h3>\n
However, challenges are still being seen, with 94 per cent reporting difficulties producing or using specifications. This was an increase from 87 per cent in 2013. Furthermore, six out of 10 specifiers admitted to rushing the process.<\/p>\n
Adrian Malleson, Head of Research, Analysis and Forecasting at NBS, said: \u201cRushing specifications is a huge risk when you consider the multiple roles of a specification \u2013 a risk that could lead to costly mistakes.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime and time again, we\u2019re also seeing that substituted specified materials and inaccurate or incomplete technical data are two of the most common problems that specifiers continue to face when it comes to producing or using specifications.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cAt NBS, we offer a number of tools to help specifiers access standards, manufacturers\u2019 product data and other information. Ensuring accurate and up-to-date technical data is becoming increasingly important as the industry continues to adopt BIM \u2013 this is something that we are doing here at NBS and will continue to develop and improve.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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