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! The Art of Squirreling
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This episode dives into the familiar specifier experience of going down the research rabbit hole, or as the team calls it, “squirreling.” What starts as a simple product lookup can quickly turn into chasing ASTM references, code citations, performance data, and manufacturer documentation that leads in unexpected directions. Product research used to be limited to curated catalogs, while today’s unlimited online access makes it easy to keep digging long past the original question. Deep research builds expertise, but it can also consume time and distract from decision-making. Dave, Steve & Elias share how these detours often uncover useful knowledge that benefits other projects and reinforces the specifier’s role as a technical resource. The takeaway is not to avoid “squirreling,” but to recognize when it’s productive learning and when it’s simply wandering.
Learning Points
Industry insight:
Product research has expanded dramatically with online resources, increasing both opportunity and information overload for design and specification teams.
Practice takeaway:
Start product research with trusted directories like 4specs.com, the Specifier Portal, or known sources to avoid unnecessary time spent chasing irrelevant information.
Process lesson:
Following references such as ASTM standards and code citations can reveal critical requirements, but teams should define when research has reached sufficient depth for decision-making.
Risk or opportunity:
Excessive research can delay progress, yet strategic “squirreling” builds knowledge that improves future specifications and problem-solving.
People & culture:
Specifiers often serve as knowledge hubs for project teams, using accumulated research experience to guide architects, engineers, and owners toward informed decisions.