Funded in part by the NSCA Education Foundation, NSCA has just released a variety of tools and custom training courses that will assist members, from novice to advanced, on becoming more profitable through proper documentation and the use of CSI MasterFormat 04.

The NSCA Mini Manual was developed to help familiarize industry professionals with CSI MasterFormat 2004. The Mini Manual includes MasterFormat history and timeline, answers to more than 25 frequently asked questions, a listing of common abbreviations, descriptions and definitions and a comparison matrix that cross-references divisions and subsections from the MF 95 to MF 04 version. The matrix also references applicable industry certifications, codes, and standards by subsection.

In addition to the Mini Manual, three tutorials developed specifically for contractors, manufacturers, and consulting engineers, will show how to improve contract documentation, read specifications, prepare bids, develop a scope of work, develop compliant specifications, and effectively control the project, ensuring that it is completed on time and within budget.

Three guide specifications, one each for Divisions 25, 27, and 28, are also available. The guide specifications provide industry professionals with a framework on what should go where in a specification. The guide specifications will allow professionals to develop and/or respond to specifications in a standardized format.

A custom training option is also available. NSCA will help assess a company’s individual training needs and then design a course schedule that meets those needs. The trainings are customized and include topics such as: how to adhere to specifications, how to deliver projects and develop processes using the new version, and how to formulate guide specifications based on products. All courses are delivered by CSI MasterFormat Accredited Instructors.

Find out more about all of these new tools and training at the NSCA Bookstore or at the NSCA Zone, Booth 777.