Let’s take a quick poll and find out what everybody is using to write specifications.
- What specification software do you use? (i.e. Speclink, MasterSpec, SpecText, etc.)
MasterSpec
MasterSpec - for all outline specs and majority of all other specs.
Speclink - for small renovations, T.I.'s, and minor new construction.
Currently only using ARCOM Masterspec but we will hopefully be adding BSD Speclink shortly for the database approach and three linked levels of detail.
Masterspec, combined with our own masters to handle special kinds of work, and Massachusetts public work (filed-sub bids.)
Internally created office master custom to the office.
I use SpecLink whenever possible. It’s the easiest way to produce specs, easiest to keep updated (retaining customization without having to re-edit each update), and easy to toggle between MF95 and MF 2004.
Some owners require using their own masters (usually Word documents).
USDoD work usually requires SpecsIntact software & UFGS masters.
We use MasterSpec primarily for reference (for evaluation data, etc.), since it’s bulky, verbose and inefficient as a production tool.
Never used SpecText. Though like Speclink it’s much more concise than MasterSpec, it lacks the database advantages of SpecLink.
I too use an internally created office master that was developed by my predecessor and me using SpecText as a basis.
I am seriously looking at MasterSpec as a way of cribbing information to help improve our office masters.
MasterSpec
Similar to David -
Internally created office master developed by a predecessor.
Use MasterSpec as a reference to create new sections or upgrade existing ones.
Looked at BSD Speclink, but haven’t had the time to thoroughly evaluate it.
Used Speclink up to 2005
Currently using MasterSpec
I prefer Speclink for its database capabilities, easy editing, and more concise language.
Office masters derived from MasterSpec, and supplemented with a few hundred additional sections.
MasterSpec also used as a resource, and to keep our office masters current.
SpecText in Word
In-house master, Word.
MasterSpec base, modified to office master format, supplemented by countless original sections; Word as processor, macros to make life easier - footers, table of contents, etc. (developed by others, not me).
Masterspec, with Word as the word processor. Some custom sections, probably more as I go along.
Lynn-- those macros you like are probably all available in MasterWorks: that sub-program does submittal lists, table of contents, global replacements and the like.
Marc Chavez has both MasterSpec and Speclink – and has opinions about both of them.
Masterspec for Word, with a fair number of custom Sections developed for our practice areas. However, we’ve begun looking at implementing eSpecs for Revit - we’re in the evaluation process right now.
Software - MSWord
Database: Inhouse masters derived from MaterSpec; some derived from SpecText.
Use MasterSpec as a reference to create new sections or upgrade existing ones.
Use MasterWorks for tables of contents, gobal header/footer, reports, search and replace, etc.
Native MasterSpec has too many levels of paragraphs and redundancies but also some very useful boilerplate language for creating that “never been written before” section.
We use MASTERSPEC with Word. Masterspec or MasterSpec? Arcom seems to capitalize the whole word everywhere…
30 of our offices subscribe to MASTERSPEC and use it as the basis of in-house masters. Almost all wordprocessing is MS Word, with one or two “stragglers” still hanging onto WordPerfect.
We also do a fair amount of work in SpecsIntact, but the requirement is waning is some districts.