For Dorsey, the single biggest value of CSI historically is staying focused on improving quality and efficiency, increasing communication, and reducing the risks associated with miscommunication in any given project. “Specifiers construction administrators are always looking to minimize error to ensure the project comes together on time. The laser focus from CSI and its members benefits us all,” he adds.
For decades, CSI has continually created new standards, study groups, formats, and now, new technologies to help members stay on top of change. However, Dorsey explains that going forward, the industry needs to be vigilant about the accuracy of the information shared so quickly.
“When CSI was founded in the late ’40s, you had to pick up a phone and get an operator to dial into somebody else’s office. Your written communication time was days long, if not weeks. Now, it’s instant global communication through a multitude of channels.”
Dorsey says this had a major impact on the way practitioners handle construction administration, accelerated to the point where every project is basically fast-tracked. However, this comes with its own set of challenges. “The risk in that is, you can look up anything on the internet and hit ‘reply all’ in an email, but then all your documentation, commentary, and perspective is shared instantly around the globe. This requires all of us to be more diligent and thoughtful to separate the signal from noise or trust actionable information from volumes of data.”
When it comes to the role of the specifier, Dorsey predicts change in the foreseeable future; understanding how products and processes interact. “The role is evolving to be even more of a thought leader, fact checker, and critical player in the design and construction process. It’s not about who writes the best spec—it’s going to be about who can troubleshoot the best spec and manage related data,” says Dorsey. He expresses that the human part of the equation is judgement and aesthetic.
“As artificial intelligence (AI) evolves, it is likely that people engaged in specifications become more of fact checkers and data analysts than writers. Already, there are applications that can create a video on your behalf that will fill in design elements if you plug in the dimensions of the space you want to create. The issue around AI isn’t necessarily whether it will take your job, it’s how it will change your job,” he adds. “Although we’ve come a long way in 75 years, one thing will never change: our commitment to building spaces, places, and infrastructures that enable us to function as a healthy, productive, and joyous society.”
The long view
CSI board chair, Cam Featherstonehaugh, talks about history’s key impacts, the future of construction, and what it means to play a role in this special anniversary.
“Before CSI, there was a lot less consistency in the written specifications used throughout the country. CSI has clearly accomplished its original mission, which was to standardize the way in which specifications were organized. Getting consistent results that were understandable by everyone on the design and construction team had a huge impact,” says Featherstonehaugh.
He adds that for decades now, CSI has also been focused on construction administration, building product representation, and other aspects of the project delivery process, including improving communication and understanding through project teams as well.
