Guidelines for specification development

Abstract

The author provides formats and checklists designed to minimize the ambiguity, minimize overall procurement costs and maximize the potential of receiving items, materials or services desired on time, at or under the budgeted costs and in accordance with the specifications. Methodologies such as acquisition streamlining, tiering reviews and value analysis are mentioned to focus attention on which requirements are necessary (represent the actual minimum needs of the engineer) and eliminate those that are not needed or cost effective, while not compromising the performance or negatively impacting quality.<>