NBS (powered by Hubexo), the leading specification platform
for the construction industry, has launched The Best Practice Guide to
Specification Writing, a free, comprehensive framework designed to
standardise and improve specification writing across the sector.
Developed in collaboration with leading industry professionals, the guide
addresses common pain points, with the aim to improve consistency and quality
in specifications across practices and on contractor-led projects.
Drawing on over 50 years of combined expertise from NBS and NBS Schumann,
the guide distils best practice into an accessible, structured resource for
architects, engineers, design managers, contractors, professional clients, and
students. It provides a clear methodology for writing precise, well-structured
specifications - reducing project delays, cost overruns, and compliance risks.
The development of the guide was shaped by industry focus groups where
experts highlighted widespread inconsistencies in specification writing and the
need for clearer classification and change management processes. As Adrian
Shilliday, Technical Director at Galliford Try, says, “Construction projects
are becoming increasingly contractor-led, and inconsistency along with lack of
cross discipline coordination in specification writing is a growing problem.
Poorly written specs can lead to cost overruns, delays, non-compliance with
regulations and safety risks. This guide provides a clear framework to prevent
those issues.”
The guide is designed to empower industry professionals to write robust
specifications, from those starting their careers to more experienced spec
writers to reflecting on how they approach specifications. It also complements
existing free resources on the NBS website, including sample project
specifications.
Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director at NBS and author of the guide,
emphasises the document’s role in setting a universal standard: “This is a
framework for writing specifications that applies across the industry. Whether
you draft specifications in software, Word or on the back of a napkin, the
principles remain the same. The goal is to create a standardised approach,
ensuring a consistent methodology across practices and clients.”
With regulatory pressures intensifying following the introduction of the
Building Safety Act, the industry must improve how it tracks and communicates
specification changes. Stephen adds: “As a project progresses, it’s not just
about publishing a spec and simply incrementing the revision number. It’s about
highlighting precisely what clauses have changed and what those changes are. In
addition, bringing as many of the specification decisions forward and ensuring
full compliance is the safest route in the current regulatory climate.”
Industry leaders including 3DReid, AHMM, Bowmer + Kirkland, EPR Architects,
Galliford Try, Laing O'Rourke and Purcell contributed expertise to ensure the
guide reflects real-world challenges and solutions.
The guide is intentionally software-agnostic, allowing organisations to
tailor it to their own processes and create a bespoke quality-assurance
document. “Transparency in documentation is no longer optional; it’s expected,”
says Ruth King, Specifications Lead, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM).
“Specifications must be clear, verifiable, and aligned with classification
systems to ensure efficiency and consistency across teams.”
The guide also addresses manufacturer involvement in specification writing,
advocating for early engagement to align product data with project
requirements. “Getting manufacturers involved early is crucial. Their input
ensures specifications are accurate and meet project needs from the outset,”
adds Ruth.
