Why make a specification?

• It clarifies what the client shall receive in return for paying the agreed price (expectations)
• It states what the contractor must do to get paid (obligations)
• The specification provides a contractual document for the technical aspects of the operation in order to reduce disputes to a minimum

Any of these may make a specification for a project:

• The owner
• A consultant, appointed by the owner
• A management company, appointed by the owner
• The contractor, if the owner says so
• The paint supplier, if the owner says so
  • Rather often the owner or consultant ask the paint supplier

The final decision is with the one paying the bill, meaning the owner

Quality criteria must be specified:

• What tests shall be carried out?
• What methods are to be used?
• What are the acceptance criteria?
• Consequences if work is non-conforming?
• Comments

ISO 12944 defines what a procedure is:

• The part of the document that describes the way the paint work is to be carried out, in conformance with the project specification and the protective paint system specification, as well as with the inspection and assessment specification

The link between specifications and procedures:

• Specification: A document stating what we wish to achieve (To what quality level a certain piece of work must be carried out).

• Procedure: A document explaining how we shall achieve the requirements in a specification (Processing instruction, check points, quality control).

Procedure         →           Specification

    how          to meet       requirements