CSI Blog

This is the first in a six-part series on this blog addressing design professionals’ scopes of services, comprised of: (a) Part 1 – Key Concepts and Source Documents; (b) Part 2 – Elements of Design Professionals’ Scopes of Services; (c) Part 3 – Limitations: Introduction and Essentials; (d) Part 4 – Limitations: Construction Documents; (e) Part 5 – Limitations: Permitting and Disagreements; and (f) Part 6 – Elevated Standard of Care, construction Cost Estimates, and Phased Authorizations. Certain professionals, such as physicians and attorneys, have a fiduciary responsibility for their clients, meaning they are responsible to act only in the best ...

Thanks to Thad Goodman, FCSI, CDT, CCPR, LEED Green Associate, Construction Design Manager and the Great Lakes Region for sharing this post at the national level. In 2016 the Greater Lehigh Valley CSI Chapter founded an outreach to get young women interested in the c onstruction i ndustry. Founding pioneers Jon Lattin, CDT , CCPR and Kristen Fallon garnered chapter support and created a program called Let’s Buil d Construction Camp for Girls . Their first camp had 20 attendees. Since then, they have hosted six camps impacting over 115 girls. Let’s Build attempts ...

Welcome to Women in Construction Week! This annual event takes place during the first full week in March to highlight the great initiatives and history of women in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry. Since the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) held the first Women in Construction Week in 1998, the celebration has grown and expanded each year. This year’s theme, “Many Paths, One Mission,” celebrates the different journeys women have taken toward the same goal: to strengthen and amplify the success of women in the industry. CSI takes great pride in supporting the work women do throughout the ...

Architecture, engineering, construction and owner (AECO) professionals design and build structures. That is what we do. There are all kinds of structures and uses, and various types of building materials and architectural styles of course. We have Codes, specifications, ASTM standards, and the like. But oftentimes, especially after standing for many years, what is built is so much more than that structure. It becomes more than four walls and a roof. At a simple and personal level, we need only to consider the home that we primarily grew up in, as children. In most cases that one home has been out of the family for many years. If so, have ...

Construction risk management plans are essential for identifying and addressing potential risks that could cause delays, injuries, or other dangers. If you are a party to a construction contract, you need to understand the types of risks you might face and the ways you can minimize or avoid them. Having an effective risk management plan can help you stay on track with your project, perform your contractual obligations as called for in your contract, and protect yourself from potential claims against your contractor bond . What Is Construction Risk Management? Construction risk management is a process ...

Have you ever been in a project meeting and felt hesitant to ask a question because you should probably know the answer? Have you ever felt like you lack experience or basic project knowledge to help you do your job? Have you ever felt nervous before talking with clients, contractors or consultants because you might not know how to answer their questions? Becoming CDT ® certified could be the solution for you. I wish I Had Known About the CDT Sooner… At the beginning of my career, I felt insecure about my practical skills for a long time, even after graduating from an accredited school of architecture with pretty good grades and ...

CSI Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce Chair Kevin Wang, CSI, CCS®, CDT®, Principal & Architectural Specifier at INSPEC, discusses the value of diversity in the workplace, how to promote a more diverse workforce, and how the celebration of Black History Month, honoring the achievements of African Americans and their central role in US history, can help promote more opportunities for all. What attracted you to a career in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry? I’ve been a full-time architectural specifier for 18-plus years. I got into architecture because I liked building things as a kid. I’m not great at math, ...

Here, CSI members share the value they found in earning an advanced certification. “Having my CDT helped me better understand not only the relationships of the various entities, but it also gave me the order and discipline that I needed to update the system we were working under at my new job. The CDT helps me every day in my processing of specifications, contracts, and other administrative paperwork associated with the successful completion of a project. It also makes me aware of situations and other important items that I can look for to help keep the project on track. Without the CDT I am not sure where I would be right now.” Billy Mathis FCSI, ...

When CSI published the first "Recruiting Young Specifiers” blog on 12/06/2022 , there were three conversations on the Community Connect Forum about how CSI, the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry, and individual firms can recruit new talent and appeal to a larger demographic of the emerging workforce. These threads were “ Thoughts from a Specifications Intern ,” “ Why Young People Should Consider a Career in the Construction Industry ,” and “ Recruiting Young Specifiers ,” which began as a roundtable discussion at the 2022 CSI National Conference in Denver. Since the blog was published in December, numerous ...