The AEC Workflow - Adobe Acrobat and PDF for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction - page 9

Design Process
The design process begins once the project scope is approved. The workflow diagram shows a single box
for the A/DC, although the vast majority of projects are not done via a single entity.
Some very large architecture and engineering firms have all disciplines in house, but are the exception
rather than the rule. Even the large A&E firms grow by acquisition and may have the disciplines needed at
different locations, using incompatible design programs. Coordinating design efforts among disciplines
requires considerable paper shuffling and distribution using various mediums. There are a lot of invisible $
signs in the design process.
The Bid Process
The specifications on a project are designed using MasterFormat TM Numbers and Titles, a system
developed jointly by the Construction Specifications Institute and Construction Specifications Canada that
has been in use since the early 1960s. The basic divisions, groups, and subgroups are listed in Table 2.1.
MasterFormat™ is the specifications-writing standard for most North American commercial building
design and construction projects. The standard lists titles and division numbers to organize data about
products, construction requirements, and activities [1]. The system is used to standardize filing and retrieval
schemes, and is appropriate for many types of communication, such as project manuals, cost and technical
data, reference notes on drawings, and product information.
The MasterFormat TM standard also contains up to 999 subdivisions, as well as cross-references, which
are important when an item could logically be placed in multiple locations. See and See Also references
direct the user to other divisions or subdivisions.
Plans and specifications are prepared and, since paper has been the only common format, they are
printed. The cost to produce a set of plans and specifications can easily reach or exceed $100. In the past,
the cost of producing the plans and specifications was covered by the owner, but no-cost plans often
resulted in too many people requesting plans that did not submit bids. Some owners started requiring a
deposit on the plans and specifications, while others pre-qualified the bidders. Pre-qualification of bidders
adds time to the process, and commands higher fees to the designers to qualify the bidders. Many owners
opt for requesting a set fee for a copy of the plans and specifications to offset the printing costs.
Plans Based on Discipline
Plans are often arranged around discipline and may change based on the discipline in charge. Let us look
at an example using site work. If an engineer is in charge, the pages may be numbered starting at C-01
(for Civil). If an architect is in charge, the pages may be numbered starting at AS-01 (for Architectural
Site).
For the most part, the page number prefixes follow this pattern: “A” for Architecture, “C” for Civil, “E” for
Electrical, “M” for Mechanical, “S” for Structural, and “P” for Plumbing. Other work may be prefaced with
“MP” for Mechanical Process and “NC” for Controls and Instrumentation.
Developing the Bid
The general contractor rarely has all the specialties in house, and sends plans and specifications to
subcontractors and vendors for price quotations. The contractor often spends the time and money to make a
complete subset of the plans and specifications for each of the mechanical, plumbing, electrical, civil, or
specialty contractors providing a bid.
Creating subsets of plans and specifications can save money on reproduction, but may cost the
contractor if a key piece of information is hidden in part of the specifications not furnished to the