You are a member of the subset of industry members who seek information by use of Web technology. A colleague of mine recently pointed out that many small design firms in our area have a project manual that reads much the same as an old project manual published by one large area firm ten years ago. This large firm had provided the training ground for young architects who later left to set up shop, taking with them the most recent specifications. The evolution of electronic project information has broadened the gap between the best drawings and specifications and the worst. Yet it is actually easier today than ever to stay up to date and learn methods for improving the content and organization of our documents through a wealth of available product information, free online seminars, management advice columns, and other electronic forums.
Designers just have to spend the time seeking the information.
They spend time talking to bidding contractors who must constantly call to obtain more information before bidding the project. They spend time writing addenda to incorporate the corrections bidders call in. Then they spend time trying to get the addenda read on the job site. They spend time on construction disputes that arise out of the assumptions bidders made when reading the design documents. Submittal time becomes an exciting period of discovery rather than a confirmation of design information already communicated.