CSI CDT key terms

The coordinated package of drawings and specifications, issued at a defined completion stage, that conveys the design intent and contractual requirements needed to bid, permit, and build the project.

The designer's documented performance, quality, and appearance objectives for the work, which contractors must satisfy even when means and methods remain their responsibility.

A sheet-by-sheet listing, usually placed early in the set, that names each drawing number, title, and revision status so users can confirm they hold a complete set.

The discipline-prefixed numbering convention (for example A-101, S-201, M-301) that orders drawings by trade and sequence and supports cross-referencing from specifications.

A scalloped graphic marking changed areas of a drawing, paired with a revision number or symbol and a dated revision block entry to track modifications after issue.

A written or graphic modification issued before bid opening that clarifies, corrects, or changes the bidding documents; bidders must acknowledge each addendum in their proposal.

A post-award written directive, often called an architect's supplemental instruction, that clarifies or changes the work without immediately adjusting contract price or time.

A written instrument signed by owner and contractor that modifies the contract sum, contract time, or scope after award, typically priced from unit rates or negotiated markup.

A written owner-directed instruction to proceed with a change before price and time are agreed, later converted into a change order once costs are settled.

A formal written question from the contractor seeking clarification of ambiguous or missing information, tracked with a log and answered by the design team as a contract document.

Product data, shop drawings, samples, or mockups the contractor transmits for review to show how proposed materials and assemblies conform to the specified requirements.

A contractor-prepared detail drawing showing fabrication, dimensions, and installation of a component, reviewed by the designer for conformance with design concept and information.

A schedule listing every required submittal, its specification section reference, required lead time, review period, and current status, used to track the approval workflow.

The designer's marked action on a returned submittal, such as approved, approved as noted, revise and resubmit, or rejected, which defines whether work may proceed.

A marked-up record maintained by the contractor showing actual installed conditions, dimensions, and routing, later used to prepare record documents for the owner.

The final drawing set, often sealed, that transfers as-built information to the owner as a deliverable for operations, maintenance, and future modifications.

The written portion of the contract documents describing products, execution, quality assurance, and administrative requirements for each work section, complementing the drawings.

The CSI-developed numbering system organizing construction work into divisions and sections by facility element or trade, providing the standard structure for specifications and cost data.

A six-digit identifier assigned under MasterFormat, where the first two digits give the division and the remaining pairs subdivide scope into a specific work section.

The CSI-recommended three-part organization of specification sections: Part 1 General, Part 2 Products, and Part 3 Execution, applied consistently across all sections.

The section part covering administrative and procedural requirements such as submittals, quality assurance, delivery, storage, and references to other sections.

The section part naming acceptable materials, manufacturers, components, and fabrication tolerances, often through proprietary, descriptive, performance, or reference standards.

The section part describing field installation, application, preparation, tolerances, and finishing, telling the contractor how the specified products must be put in place.

The General Requirements division containing administrative and procedural sections such as submittals, substitutions, quality control, and temporary facilities that govern all other work.

A specification that states the exact products, materials, or methods required, leaving the contractor little discretion and placing responsibility for performance on the designer.

A specification stating required results such as strength, capacity, or durability, allowing the contractor to select products and methods that meet those measurable criteria.

A specification naming a specific manufacturer or product, usually with an or-equal clause, used when a particular item is essential to function, appearance, or maintenance.

Language permitting substitution of an unnamed product judged equivalent to the named one, setting the standard against which alternate offers are evaluated by the designer.

A formal contractor request to use a product other than the specified one, submitted with supporting data and evaluated against the specified item's performance and quality.

The named product or system used to establish the required performance, dimensions, and quality benchmark against which proposed substitutions are compared.

A published industry or government standard, such as ASTM or ANSI, cited in a specification to define test methods, material properties, or installation quality.

Manufacturer-published literature describing a product's composition, physical properties, limitations, and installation requirements, commonly submitted for design review.

The designer's comparison of candidate products against specification criteria, standards, and project conditions before accepting, rejecting, or requesting additional information.

Declarations, certifications, and reports such as environmental product declarations or recycled-content statements that verify a product's environmental attributes claimed in the specification.

A full-size physical sample of an assembly built on site or in a factory to establish workmanship quality and appearance standards before general installation begins.

The document on which contractors enter prices for each scope item, alternates, and unit rates, forming the basis for award and later contract execution.

A defined change in scope, material, or method priced separately in the bid so the owner can accept or reject it without rebidding the base work.

A stated cost per unit of measurement for a work item, used to value added or deleted quantities and to price changes when scope is uncertain.

A meeting held after award and before mobilization where owner, designer, and contractor confirm schedules, submittal procedures, communication lines, and administrative responsibilities.

The complete legal set comprising agreement, conditions, drawings, specifications, addenda, and modifications that together define the parties' rights and obligations.