The project specifications:
A project specification contains the following parts: - the description of the work - the accompanying drawings - the conditions applicable to the work - the memorandum of information - the official report of instruction.
A work is put out to tender with these project specifications. The contractor can deduce from this what is expected of him. He in turn can make a good offer because the cost influencing factors are described in the description of the work.
From drawing to modeling:
It is regularly published that the value of the project specifications is declining under the influence of #BIM (Building Information Modeling). This statement is a bit premature. Characteristics can be recorded in a 3D model of a building, for example to carry out checks in advance. However, to date no model has been delivered containing the description of the work. Let alone the administrative conditions, the administrative expectations with regard to working drawings or calculations of the contractor, etc. etc. The # 3D BIM model is mainly complementary to the project specifications, just as it was when we were still producing 2D drawings. This has not changed so far because the project specifications and the BIM model contain different information that is essential for the execution of the work.
New administrative systems:
Under the influence of the # UAV-gc, for example, tendering is done differently. Instead of complete preparation and full responsibility on the part of the client, this is shifted to the contractor with a so-called demand specification. With this demand specification, the contractor can, for example, be given design responsibility within a project. It is then obvious that the client will ask the contractor to draw up a project specification (excluding the conditions applicable to the work, as these are already laid down in the request specification). This gives the client insight into the execution of the work via a work description and the accompanying drawings.
New legislation:
It goes without saying that project specifications may never deviate from the law. Specifications must therefore be continuously adapted to new or amended legislation such as the Building Decree, the Eurocodes, the Construction Products Regulation, the Commodities Act, Elevator Decree, etc. etc. The Quality Assurance for Building Act: #WKB was recently adopted. In short, this means that after completion of the structure, the client must demonstrate to the permit issuer that the structure complies with the regulations. He does this by appointing a quality assurance officer who will use tested instruments for this. It is likely that this quality assurance officer will use project specifications with a good work description. After all, it describes exactly how certain building materials must be applied, which normative conditions the building materials must meet and what the intended result is.
Conclusion:
Despite all the developments, the traditional #cutlery is still very much alive. This is also the reason that about 80% of the construction contracts are still put out to tender under the #UAV with specifications.
#NBS BV is the supplier of the most complete and extensive knowledge database for writing project specifications. The NBS database can be downloaded free of charge for everyone via www.nbsbestek.nl/downloads . Specifications processing software is required to use the NBS datebase. You can contact the software suppliers KUBUS and De Twee Snoeken for this software. A demo version of CUBE , you can try the NBS specifications system.
Are traditional project specifications still essential despite all the new developments in construction? Think of the shift from drawing to modeling, new administrative systems or new legislation, etc. etc.