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INSTRUCTORS:
Theresa Jablonski
Rusty Sprouse
Vassilina Demetracopoulou
Hyun Koo
David Siegler
Course Length:1 hour
Purpose and Background
This presentation was recorded at the 2026 CI & CRC Joint Conference.
This presentation explores the role of construction specifications as enforceable technical requirements that define materials, performance, workmanship, quality control, and measurement and payment for civil engineering projects. It explains how specifications interface with drawings and models, how formats such as MasterFormat and agency specific standards structure technical content, and how project complexity, delivery method, regulatory constraints, and stakeholder coordination influence specification development.
Case studies from large scale water and pipeline programs demonstrate how specification clarity, updates, and change management affect project outcomes, risk allocation, and constructability. The session also examines gaps in university curricula, showing that most engineering programs provide limited instruction on specification interpretation, compliance, and digital integration. Participants gain a deeper understanding of how well written specifications support scope definition, QA/QC, risk management, and successful project delivery.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Interpret construction specifications to determine performance requirements, material standards, workmanship criteria, and QA/QC expectations across different project delivery methods and levels of project complexity.
- Evaluate how specification structure, format (such as MasterFormat or agency standards), and regulatory constraints influence scope definition, risk allocation, constructability, and coordination among stakeholders on large civil infrastructure projects.
- Apply specification requirements to real-world engineering tasks including estimating, scheduling, procurement, compliance review, and digital integration, while identifying ambiguities, deviations, or gaps that may affect project outcomes.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-test assessment (true-false, multiple choice, and/or fill in the blank questions).
Who Should Attend?
- Structural Engineer
- Construction Engineer
- Project Controls Engineer
- Design-Build Project Engineer
- Construction Project Manager
How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course purchase.
How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?
1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]