Guo, K; Minchin, E and Ferragut, T (2005) The shift to warranties and performance specifications: What of method specifications? Construction Management and Economics, 23(9), pp. 953-963. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
Assertions have been made recently by many in the public sector and the construction industry that a standard set of specifications based on measurable performance has been developed for the industry. The move from method, or prescriptive, specifications to performance specifications and warranties has produced innovative ideas and changes to the industry; however, it was not clear just how complete the change was or to what extent method specifications were still relied upon. In addition, it was not clear what contribution, if any, method specifications would make to the ideal set of standard specifications. A recently conducted study analyses the prevalence of method specifications versus performance specifications and warranties in highway and bridge construction. Innovative contracting and the trend within state highway agencies to move from method specifications to warranties and performance specifications are discussed, as are suggestions for integrating method specifications into performance and warranty specifications.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | method specifications; performance specifications; performance-based specifications; performance-related specifications; prescriptive specifications; warranties |
| Index terms: | prescriptive specification, public sector, warranty, construction industry, performance-based specification, specification, performance specification, bridge construction, agency |
| Subjects: | infrastructure engineering, contractual condition, tendering, performance measurement, industry analysis, administrative law, sociology, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Procurement, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Contract Administration, Legal Issues, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here