Amid the intricate dynamics of the building design process, where every detail counts, specifications support the vision of architects, engineers, and construction professionals. Creating comprehensive construction documents is a formidable challenge for A&E firms as they contend with changes during construction, resulting in additional costs for materials, labor, and project delays.
According to the Deltek 45th Clarity A&E Industry Study, 54% of A&E firms cite the time required to produce a complete specification package as their greatest challenge.
Don't settle for less than AIA MasterSpec® as part of Deltek Specpoint, the premier guide specification and software tool trusted by leading design firms.
Navigate the complexities of regulatory compliance and material selection with ease. You can stay ahead of evolving building codes and drive sustainable design practices by leveraging real-time industry insights.
MasterSpec doesn't just help you meet current needs but positions your projects for enduring success, ensuring precision and excellence in every specification.
"MasterSpec's value lies in its ability to simplify construction with clear, standardized specifications."
SpecLink vs MasterSpec: Why Leading A&E Firms Choose MasterSpec
Leading design firms prefer MasterSpec vs SpecLink due to its extensive database of master specifications. With over 900 content sections, MasterSpec provides detailed, precise construction project specifications for building components, systems, and materials.
Here are five reasons why leading architecture and engineering firms chose MasterSpec over SpecLink:
Reason #1: MasterSpec Takes the Guesswork out of Specs
Jeanne S. Tebera, PE, CFPS, Principal and Senior Electrical Engineer at HENRY ADAMS, LLC, selected MasterSpec over SpecLink to reduce the burden of researching code updates, particularly for team members less knowledgeable in that area.
MasterSpec, a construction specifications library, offers standardized specifications while allowing customization to meet the unique needs of different construction projects. Architects and engineers can modify specifications for specific materials, methods, or project type.
Jeanne shares, "The added benefit of editor's notes and supporting documents fosters a nuanced understanding of specifications, providing valuable insights for experienced and novice spec writers."
Jeanne collaborates with the MasterSpec Engineering Review Committee (MERC), engaging in peer reviews of new MasterSpec sections and those slated for significant updates. Jeanne's committee oversees the peer review of the electrical, electronic safety, and security divisions.
Jeanne adds, "This peer-reviewed approach ensures the specifications are accurate and reflect the collective wisdom and experience of seasoned professionals, contributing to MasterSpec's reputation as a gold standard in the industry."
The AIA review committees collaborate closely with the Deltek specification-writing team to help ensure the specification sections in these divisions remain current
"MasterSpec makes it easier to create standardized specifications and helps writers ensure they follow the latest industry codes and regulations."
MasterSpec is not just a master database; it sets high standards for materials and quality. This commitment ensures the durability of construction projects and fosters a culture of excellence in the industry. MasterSpec contributes to the success and longevity of construction projects by providing a benchmark for the quality of materials used.
Reason #2: MasterSpec Empowers Spec Writers
Lisa Lewis, Project Management Assistant at SSOE, selected MasterSpec over SpecLink, allowing the team to focus on creating accurate specifications without getting bogged down in technical complexities.
They required software that incorporated industry-standard MasterSpec content to ensure their specifications aligned with current codes, regulations, and best practices, thereby mitigating liability risks.
By leveraging the 34 distinct divisions in the MasterSpec library, the SSOE team can easily tailor building specification content to meet their projects' specific requirements and provide more detailed design documentation to contractors.
"We discovered Deltek Specpoint is the only software solution that is both user-friendly and includes MasterSpec. Other specification software applications couldn't provide this combination."
Lisa shares that the Deltek software development team's expertise in architecture and engineering is evident in how well the software addresses the unique challenges of developing specifications. The software for spec writing not only supports their efficient workflow but also ensures successful project outcomes.
SSOE selected MasterSpec because Deltek, a strategic partner of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), employs in-house design professionals who actively monitor industry standards, regulations, and best practices, providing continuous updates to keep MasterSpec current. As AIA's sole construction software partner, this strategic relationship and ongoing commitment to maintaining current and relevant specifications were crucial factors in SSOE's decision.
With MasterSpec as part of Deltek Specpoint's building specification software, the combination of the gold-standard guide specification and Specpoint allows architects, engineers, design professionals, and construction teams to create high-quality building specifications and streamline the development of project manuals.
Reason #3: MasterSpec Streamlines Building Product Selection
Since Carlos Murrieta, Principal and Co-Founder at Merge Architectural Group, selected MasterSpec over BSD SpecLink.
His project team has significantly streamlined research and product selection by providing access to over 50,000 manufacturer product listings, including products that offer unbiased, objective information vetted by AIA-sponsored architectural and engineering review committees.
This information includes a concise product description highlighting its purpose, features, functionalities, detailed technical specifications, and manufacturer contact information.
"One of the things that I noticed almost immediately with MasterSpec as part of Deltek Specpoint is the level of detail with the building product manufacturer cards."
With MasterSpec as part of Deltek Specpoint, Carlos and his team automate repetitive tasks, use consistent templates based on industry best practices, and benefit from auto-populating product information.
By leveraging intelligent database capabilities, they streamline the specification workflows, saving time, reducing errors, and ensuring project consistency and compliance.
Reason #4: MasterSpec Delights A&E Firm Customers
Jorgensen Engineering, a full-service engineering firm, chose MasterSpec over SpecLink because it provides its clients with robust project documentation that meets their expectations.
MasterSpec provides clear, comprehensive details on project requirements, minimizing misunderstandings and leading to a smoother construction process.
It's crucial to Jorgensen to involve its clients in developing specifications throughout the design and construction process. This involvement with clients includes attentively listening to their needs and preferences, integrating their feedback, and delivering a thorough and precise specification package that meets their project requirements and expectations.
With a well-crafted specification, the customer understands the project scope, product selections, and quality standards. This ensures a smoother construction process and reduces the likelihood of errors and disputes during project execution. When a customer has a list of certain paints, textures, and specific requirements for the manufacturer, it is easy to incorporate that information into Specpoint, Home of AIA MasterSpec.
This approach to efficient spec writing enhances project clarity and fosters stronger relationships with clients. Providing content suitable for engineering firms like Jorgensen demonstrates their commitment to transparency and quality.
Reason #5: MasterSpec Enhances Drawing and Spec Coordination
Kim Piety, Specifications Manager at Rogers, Lovelock & Fritz, chose Deltek Specpoint, Home of AIA MasterSpec, for its integration with Autodesk Revit®. This enables architects to bypass the time-consuming task of manually synchronizing specifications.
Many architects and design teams find keeping drawings and specs in sync challenging. When drawings and specs don't match, it can significantly impact a construction project. Misalignments may lead to confusion, errors, and rework during the construction phase, resulting in increased costs and delays and affecting the overall efficiency and success of the project.
With specification software like Deltek Specpoint, architects experience a streamlined workflow, ensuring smooth coordination between the specifications and the BIM model.
ThSpecpoint's integration with Autodesk Revit® synchronizes specs and designs as changes unfold. The connection between specifications and design helps assess the impact of design changes, enhancing accuracy and improving coordination and communication among team members.
Maximize Time Savings with MasterSpec
As product innovations and industry standards evolve, architectural and engineering firms can access up-to-date product details directly within the cloud via Deltek Specpoint, eliminating the need to search individual manufacturer websites. This cloud technology, featuring an intelligent database, streamlines the product selection process, minimizes errors, and ensures that specified products align with the design intent and industry standards, setting a new benchmark for project efficiency and accuracy.
MasterSpec, as part of Deltek Specpoint, an all-in-one specification and design automation tool, is transforming the building industry with its standardized specifications and trusted reference standards.
With a cloud-based, centralized specification platform, it streamlines construction specs for design teams. By accelerating research, simplifying knowledge-building, and optimizing workflows for current and future projects, MasterSpec empowers design professionals to innovate, bring designs to life, and deliver accurate specifications for project plans. As the most comprehensive construction and architecture software, it sets a new benchmark for accurate specification writing in the construction industry.
