---
title: "Principles of writing specifications"
subject: "Construction Management"
chapter: 12
key: "semester_8/construction_management:spec-principles-writing"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/spec-principles-writing
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Principles of writing specifications

Construction Management · Chapter 12: Specification

- Asked in: 2078 Kartik, 4 marks; 2079 Jestha (asked 2 times)
- Video: [3 Easy Methods To Write A Specification](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjqAPjlREE8) — Refurbishment Mastery with Martin Rapley
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/spec-principles-writing
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-12

## Question

What are the principles of writing specifications?

## Short answer

Specifications should be clear, complete, accurate, concise, consistent with drawings, practical, testable, and use standard references. They must be enforceable, logically organized, flexible, and in command form.

## Answer

The principles to follow in writing specifications are:

1. **Clarity:** the language must be simple, direct and have only one meaning; avoid vague words such as "good quality", "as required", "etc."
2. **Completeness:** all matters about the quality of material, workmanship, tests, measurement and payment must be covered so no important point is left to guesswork.
3. **Accuracy:** correct technical data, grades, proportions, sizes and references to codes.
4. **Brevity (conciseness):** no unnecessary words or repetition; use references to standards for long details.
5. **Consistency:** no conflict with drawings, BOQ and conditions of contract, and the same terms and units throughout.
6. **Practicality:** the requirements should be achievable with the available materials, skills and equipment, and be cost-effective.
7. **Use of standards:** follow national and international standards (NS, IS, BS, ASTM) and the norms of DUDBC or the Department of Roads.
8. **Enforceability:** the specified quality should be testable, with defined tests and tolerances so that it can be checked and rejected.
9. **Logical order:** arrange by work section, with the same sequence for each item (scope, material, workmanship, tests, measurement).
10. **Flexibility and fairness:** do not name a brand without allowing "or equivalent"; give an equal chance to all bidders.
11. **Command form:** say what the contractor shall do ("The contractor shall...").
12. **Keep updated:** revise the specifications when standards and methods change.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Why must a specification avoid words like 'good quality' or 'etc.'?
   A. They make the document too short
   B. Clarity requires one clear meaning; vague words leave room for disputes
   C. They are not allowed in English
   D. They increase the cost of the work
   Answer: B. Clarity demands simple, direct language with a single meaning; vague terms cause disagreement. (Key point: Clarity)

2. What is the correct way to mention a brand in a specification?
   A. Name only one brand
   B. Never specify any quality
   C. Name the most expensive brand
   D. Name the brand with 'or equivalent' to give fair chance to all bidders
   Answer: D. Flexibility and fairness mean not restricting to a brand without allowing an equal alternative. (Key point: Brand names)

3. What makes a specification enforceable?
   A. Long descriptions
   B. Testable quality with defined tests and tolerances so work can be checked and rejected
   C. Use of foreign words
   D. Leaving details to the contractor
   Answer: B. Defined tests and tolerances let the engineer verify and reject non-conforming work. (Key point: Enforceability)

4. What does the principle of consistency require?
   A. Repeating the same sentence in many places
   B. Using different units in each section
   C. Ignoring the drawings
   D. No conflict with drawings, BOQ and conditions of contract, and same terms and units throughout
   Answer: D. A specification must agree with other contract documents and use uniform terms and units. (Key point: Consistency)

## Related in Construction Management

- [Techniques of writing specifications](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aspec-writing-techniques) — Construction Management, chapter 12, asked 5×
- [Art and science of writing specifications](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aspec-art-science-writing) — Construction Management, chapter 12

## Related in other subjects

- [Principles of effective technical writing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aprinciples-effective-technical-writing) — Communication English, chapter 4