--- title: "Purpose and importance of specification" subject: "Construction Management" chapter: 12 key: "semester_8/construction_management:spec-importance-purpose" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/spec-importance-purpose site: BCT Engineering --- # Purpose and importance of specification Construction Management · Chapter 12: Specification - Asked in: 2075 Bhadra, 2 marks; 2073 Bhadra, 2 marks; 2071 Bhadra, 3 marks; 2070 Bhadra, 4 marks; 2069 Bhadra (old course), 4 marks; 2079 Shrawan; 2073 Magh; 2072 Asoj; 2068 Bhadra (old course) (asked 9 times) - Video: [Specifications, Its Purpose and Types - Specifications and Rate Analysis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbd7DAEpx0c) — Ekeeda - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/spec-importance-purpose - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-12 ## Question What is the purpose of specification? Explain the importance of specification in construction works (contracts). ## Short answer A specification describes quality of materials, workmanship, and measurement methods. It provides the basis for tendering, quality assurance, and supervision, avoids disputes, and forms a legal contract document ensuring uniformity and durability. ## Answer A **specification** is a written description of the quality of materials, standard of workmanship, method of construction and mode of measurement and payment for each item of work in a project. Together with drawings and the bill of quantities, it forms the contract document. #### Purpose 1. To describe the **quality and quantity** of materials, such as grade of cement, size of aggregate, mix ratio. 2. To define the **method and standard of workmanship** for each work item. 3. To guide the contractor on how the work must be done, and the engineer on how to inspect it. 4. To serve as the basis of the **rate analysis, estimate and tender**. 5. To fix the **method of measurement and payment**. 6. To control **quality** by giving tests and tolerances. #### Importance in construction contracts - **Basis of the contract:** it makes clear what the contractor has to supply, so tenders are comparable and fair. - **Quality assurance:** work and materials below the specification can be rejected. - **Avoids disputes:** the written standard settles disagreements between owner, engineer and contractor. - **Cost estimating:** the contractor can price the work correctly; the owner can check the estimate. - **Supervision tool:** the engineer inspects and approves against the specification. - **Uniformity:** the same standard is followed by different contractors and work items. - **Legal document:** it is used in claims, variations and arbitration. - **Safety and durability:** it ensures the structure performs as designed. - **Basis for measurement and payment,** which prevents overpayment. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. A specification describes: A. Only the time B. Only drawings C. Only the price D. Quality of materials, workmanship, method and measurement and payment Answer: D. It describes quality, workmanship, method and measurement. (Key point: Definition) 2. Along with drawings, a specification forms: A. A tender notice B. Part of the contract document with BOQ C. The bill of quantities only D. A site diary Answer: B. Drawings, BOQ and specification form the contract documents. (Key point: Contract documents) 3. Why does a specification avoid disputes? A. The written standard settles disagreements between owner, engineer and contractor B. It allows ambiguity C. It removes inspection D. It lowers quality Answer: A. Written standard settles disagreements. (Key point: Dispute) 4. Work below specification can be: A. Always paid in full B. Approved verbally C. Rejected D. Ignored Answer: C. Quality assurance by rejection. (Key point: Rejection) ## Related in Construction Management - [Consultant and quality of construction works](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aconsultant-role-quality) — Construction Management, chapter 1 - [Contract types in civil engineering; govt works](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Acontract-types-government) — Construction Management, chapter 5 - [Contracts by payment: lump sum and cost plus](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Alump-sum-cost-plus) — Construction Management, chapter 5 - [Types of specification: general and detailed](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aspec-types-general-detailed) — Construction Management, chapter 12, asked 7× - [Detailed specification of brick work in 1:4 mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Adetailed-spec-brick-1-4) — Construction Management, chapter 12, asked 5× - [Detailed specification of brick work in 1:6 mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Adetailed-spec-brick-1-6) — Construction Management, chapter 12, asked 5× ## Related in other subjects - [Grit chamber: purpose, construction, design](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fsanitary_engineering%3Agrit-chamber-purpose-design) — Sanitary Engineering, chapter 7, asked 4× - [Service reservoirs: purpose and construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Aservice-reservoir-purpose-construction) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 7, asked 2× - [Skimming tank: purpose and construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fsanitary_engineering%3Askimming-tank-purpose-construction) — Sanitary Engineering, chapter 7 - [Pit privy: purpose and construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fsanitary_engineering%3Apit-privy-purpose-construction) — Sanitary Engineering, chapter 9