Organization of information is critical when it comes to making design decisions, estimating costs, and constructing a building.  Structuring project data in an efficient manner allows members of the project team to make rigorous analysis of options to compare cost, risk, performance and design attributes.  This can be accomplished through the SPD, which stands for Systems and Performance Description.  It is a way of documenting design in a highly efficient manner, offering tremendous value to the construction team.  It combines an early project narrative with UNIFOMAT organization for ease of estimating. 

Let’s throw back to November, 2023 to the COAA Fall Conference in Orlando, FL. Our guests are:  Cy Rangel of Purdue University, Carli Cole of HGA Architects, Sarah Delphin and Kamila Andrzejak from MD Anderson. 

In this episode host of Deliberate Words and president of Conspectus sits down with four colleagues who we have become friends with during our participation and attendance at COAA which stands for Construction Owners Association of America.  This podcast is a peak into a discussion between Dave, Cy, Carli, Sarah and Kamila.  It exemplifies why we, as specifiers, attend these conferences and get to know other members of the project team.  Truly understanding the vantage points, challenges, and activities help us understand how we can create better documents and improve the process.  We hope you enjoy this conference episode of Deliberate Words!

Conspectus continues to grow, doubling the size of the team in just one year.  The Conspectians got together for the annual meeting in December, 2023 in the world-wide headquarters - Tuckahoe, NJ.  Take a peek into our culture.  That is the secret to our success.  

A fascinating look at the career path of the AEC industry tech leader Marc Goldman.  From crafting his own arch/eng degree to software development to digital mapping and location intelligence, and many adventures in between that brought him to BIM, the digital twin and GIS - Geographic Information System. In his current position with ESRI, he educates the AEC industry on how to leverage the benefits of GIS during planning, design and construction. 

Something is build everywhere.  GIS provides geospatial analytics that can aid in many aspects in every stage of development and construction, including codes, placement, context and so much more.  

 Join Dave, Steve and Marc to learn more about geographic information systems.  

Specifications are not typically a celestial experience, but Brian Conroy helps us discover how the process of creating well written documents, when done correctly, can put one in a state of service that may have the effects of feeling spiritual.  

In this episode we welcome Brian Conroy, fellow Philly CSI members and product rep of Master Wall, which is a manufacturer of stucco, coatings, exterior insulation and EIFS.  Brian is our very first building product manufacturer on the show!  Specifiers and technical representatives have a critical relationship that can substantially influence project documentation. But is goes beyond technical knowledge.  It becomes a trusted advisor position, so if and when they don't have the solution, they assist in finding it.  From this act, mutual respect is built and a successful relationship is built, ultimately benefiting the project and the owner.  Join our hosts of Deliberate Words: Dave Stutzman and Steve Gantner, as they find spirituality in specs with Brian Conroy.  

Welcome to the Continuum... during this episode, we welcome Doug Bevill, the very first General Manager of Conspectus Cloud. 

Conspectus Cloud, the specification tool created by specifiers for specifiers, and designers, and contractors, and owners and building product manufacturers, is capturing attention in the industry at a tremendous rate.  In response to this growth, Conspectus brought on Doug Bevill, who is incredibly experienced in the AECO industry, and belief system is in line with the firm: make the process better.  His manta is A product should not reinvent the way someone works, it should enhance the way someone works.  Check out his full bio on our website, a link in posted in the show's description.  Now here are your hosts of Deliberate Words, Dave Stutzman and Steve Gantner chatting with Doug Bevill, taking an in depth look as to where Conspectus Cloud is going, and how we are going to get there! 

Pizza and prefab construction, an unusual pair that have quite a lot in common, according the Axel Webb, from TAS Energy, a prefabrication and manufacturing powerhouse. 

Axel is a golf semi-pro and efficiency guru.  His career has taken him from operation over 40 Little Caesar Pizza restaurants to his current position as pre-construction manager at TAS Energy, a pre fab manufacturer specializing in construction in the MEP sector. He talks about the parallels between these two types of manufacturing.  Yes, manufacturing food with ingredients, and manufacturing a building with materials.  The prefab process is fascinating and Axel takes us through considerations when deciding to procure this method of construction to how it is delivered to the site.  Challenges, successes, and failures hinge on how efficient a CUP - Central Utility Plant is designed, manufactured, delivered and installed.

Conspectus team members have been long time members of the CSI (Construction Specification Institute) at different capacities, all across the country.  We understanding the importance of this organization for, not just specifiers, but for the entire project team.  Which is why we decided this spring, to invest in CSI at a new capacity, and attend regional conferences across the country as a sponsor. Conspectus Cloud was our main feature and it was well received. Because no one likes RFIs or value engineering, especially spec writers!  Take a listen and find out how our 8 specifiers, who attended 4 region conferences, expanded their knowledge, developed and nurtured relationships, and evangelized Conspectus Cloud!

Are you on a Lean Journey? Are you familiar with what a Lean Journey is? Conspectus has been attending COPs (community of practice) events across the country. We have been learning about Lean principles, and striving to understanding the tenants. We know it is a powerful practice, that drives project success, but we want to know how the Conspectus approach aligns with Lean.  So we sat down with one of the most knowledgeable folks in the industry - John Zachara. 

Lean has become a way of constructing, and even a way of life, for many teams across the country and even the world. It is a practice that is rooted in respecting people, reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and many other principles that directly align with how Conspectus approaches our projects.  We are very curious how to make the connection between the two. John Zachara, vice president at Integrated Facility Solutions in Chicago, is an consultant, practitioner, educator, and active member of LCI, Lean Construction Institute. In this episode we take a journey with him into the world of Lean, and it felt like we just scratched the surface. We will definitely be continuing the conversation with John, but right now we invite you to listen in on him chatting with our hosts, David Stutzman and Steve Gantner, along with special guest, our executive VP in Chicago, Elias Saltz, who has worked with John on past projects.  Welcome to our intro to a Lean Journey.  

Courage is a powerful characteristic in a female architect, and is exercised in a number of ways, inspiring many along her journey. 

In honor of Women In Construction month, we welcome Marissa Iamello, a New Jersey architect and the 2021 AIA-NJ Young Architect Award recipient. As she shares her story, we learn how she has shown a tremendous amount of courage throughout her entire career. She is continuously challenged to re-evaluate priorities as she navigates being an ardent female architect.  She shows that there is more than just surviving what life gives you, it is celebrating and enjoying every moment.  Now here are your hosts of Deliberate Words David Stutzman and Steve Gantner chatting with Marissa Iamello about her courageous journey as a female architect.