Specification Practice for Engineers
Specifications are critical to the clear communication of technical requirements to contractors. This communication is specific to the stage in the design cycle, type of requirement and the particular industry sector. Delegates will learn the elements of a “good” specification that is universally applicable.
Description
All engineering work eventually culminates in the development of a specification that has to clearly communicate the technical requirements of the project. The specification, together with terms of contract and the project plan make out the three pillars of good engineering task execution.
This course presents best practice principles of specification development and writing principles so that clients, engineers and designers (hardware and software) are able to communicate technical requirements in a clear, unambiguous and structured manner.
Learning outcomes
Delegates who attend the course will receive:
- Insight into placing the specification in context with contract and project documents.
- Gain an awareness and understanding of specification types, hierarchy and structures.
- An understanding of effective specification structure.
- An awareness and understanding of requirements validation and verification clauses.
- Gain awareness of contractual issues such as substitutions and responsibility for performance.
- An insight into proper and unambiguous specification language.
Course format
Principles and examples will be presented.
Learning will be reinforced through attendees will be given the opportunity to critically evaluate specification examples from their own work environment against best practice norms.
Intended audience
Council engineers, development engineers, consulting engineers, product or software developers, manufacturing, and also procurement officials in client organisations, whether public or private sector.
Presenter information
Piet Beukman retired in 2019 as the Director of the Engineering Management Programme at the University of Canterbury and is now self-employed as a coach, mentor, consultant and educator. An accomplished “pracademic”. He has over 40 years of experience in the aerospace, military, marine engineering, venture capital, commercialisation and consulting industries to offer. He also has hands-on experience of developing specifications for complex engineering projects.
Piet is influential in developing NZ best practice methods for the effective execution of engineering activities. He is highly regarded in New Zealand and internationally as a practitioner with a sound track record of achievement for using a practical, but rigorous, approach.
Piet has presented numerous webinars and short courses for local and international organisations including consulting firms, contractors, technology companies, district and city councils, electricity, infrastructure organisations and government departments.