Getting What You Specify - Controlling the Decision Process
No matter what is accomplished, it starts with a vision in someone's mind of the end result. At the other end of the spectrum is evaluation. In between, the vision and evaluation of the end result are the planning and implementation phases. In the building design and construction profession, it is a four-step process: predesign (vision), design (planning), construction (implementation), and project close-out/occupancy (evaluation).
The first step in getting what you specify is establishing the product selection criteria during the planning phases of a project. The specification of the product is part of the planning phase. Review of proposed substitutions of other products, the submittal review, site visits, and punchlists are all part of the contractors' implementation phase; however, these steps are also the start of the engineer's evaluation phase. Project closeout, occupancy of the facility, and ultimate use by the owner completes the evaluation process. Typically, the first year of occupancy - the warranty period - is the main evaluation period. This is the period during which the owner can generally get things corrected without having to pay additional fees.