Deliberate Words
by Conspectus, Inc. - decision managers, word masters, aggregators. There is tremendous power in a word that is perfectly placed at the best location, at the best time, during the design and construction process of a project. Deliberate words can manage success, build trust, and provide transparency that every member of the project team craves. As decision managers of the team, Conspectus explores the notion of how transparency transforms three main components of every project: behavior, content, and outcomes, through the appropriate usage of words. Behavior of every participant, is the foundation communication and collaboration, through deliberate words. It will transform the team, and build strong relationships. Content, the documentation built on these relationships, containing deliberate words, is then transformed. The outcome is a successful project, with a legacy of ultimate collaboration. Join us as we chat with members of the architectural, engineering, construction, and owner communities to learn how deliberate word shape their contributions, their projects, and their world! Through these conversations, words aggregate decisions, and transforms perspectives on transparency in the decision-making process.
Deliberate Words
What A Week! Basis of Design: Clarity or Chaos
In this What a Week episode, Dave Stutzman, Elias Saltz, and Steve Gantner tackle the hot CSI forum debate over “basis of design.” They explore how architects often anchor specs to a single product while allowing equivalents, but warn this can easily slip into a stealth proprietary spec—like when elevator shafts only fit one manufacturer. They stress the importance of consistency across Division 1 requirements, technical sections, and owner standards, and note that overly narrow performance criteria can also exclude competition. Alternatives such as early collaboration and pre-purchasing equipment can streamline decisions and avoid long lead times. Ultimately, the team advises using basis of design sparingly and intentionally, with full awareness of its implications—because as Steve quips, the right answer is often, “it depends.”