An obligatory stage of cooperation between the customer and the design organization is development terms of reference . A well-written technical specification is half the success of design. The terms of reference should be as detailed and detailed as possible - only this approach ensures complete mutual understanding between the customer and. In order for the design to be carried out without hitches, time delays and technical problems, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to drawing up the technical specifications.
The customer does not always have the special knowledge to competently draw up technical specifications. Therefore, this document is being developed jointly by the customer and engineers. Leading specialists from the design organization take part in the development of tasks for complex objects. The main task of technical specialists is to professionally “filter” abstract ideas and determine which ideas can be technically implemented. Engineers provide the customer with preliminary information about the difference in design time for simple and complex ideas. Technical specialists analyze the initial data and find a balance between the customer’s requirements and factors such as the reliability of the object, the complexity of the design, and the cost of construction. Competent communication between the customer and engineers allows us to find the “golden mean” in all significant parameters and ensure the profitability of the facility.
To obtain a complete picture, the customer must provide the design organization with the maximum set of source documentation. A short list of source documents:
To draw up technical specifications for design, the customer contacts specialists from the design organization for a preliminary discussion of the concept. Brief customer requirements are drawn up in the form of a questionnaire or formulated in any form. The main parameters that are determined at the very first stage of drawing up the technical specifications: area, number of storeys, shape of the building, type of facades, materials used, individual characteristics of the object. These parameters are included in the architectural and planning design assignment.
Having received the initial information, technical specialists provide recommendations for optimizing the building structure and its main parameters. After agreeing on all the nuances, the finished technical specification is drawn up as a separate document and sent for approval. Only after the technical specifications are signed by the customer and the contractor, the design organization proceeds directly to the design. The assignment is part of a legal agreement (contract or agreement) for the performance of project work.
Common data.
Design requirements.
Additional instructions. This section may include unique customer requirements - for example, the need to prepare demonstration materials and the number of copies of project documentation.
The PNProject company guarantees high-quality execution of design work, subject to detailed development of the technical specifications. The task should be free of controversial issues; every technical detail should be clearly formulated without the risk of double understanding. The terms of reference have legal force, so its preparation should be approached professionally and carefully. In this case, it is much better to spend more time developing technical specifications than to rush and later reap the unpleasant “fruits” of an unprofessional approach. Therefore, when collaborating with customers, we insist on a clear, in-depth and detailed study of the source data and high-quality development of the technical specifications.
This is one of the most critical design stages, which largely determines the effectiveness of development. Development of technical specifications is not a formal procedure, since it is clarified during the entire development period of the product.
Before starting development, you must do the following:
Formulation of the task. Whenever setting a problem, you need to answer three main questions:
Development of technical requirements with restrictions. It is very important to indicate whether this indicator is a requirement or a wish that can not be fulfilled, but be guided, for example, when evaluating options. Requirements can be of the following types:
Key indicators should cover all the most important aspects of the product and be, if possible, independent of one another. They can be hierarchically divided into several stages (of varying importance) and relate to various aspects (economic, technical, etc.); It is advisable to evaluate indicators quantitatively, but it is also possible to evaluate them qualitatively (better, worse), which is important when evaluating options.
Composition of requirements. Depending on the purpose of the product, the requirements may include various characteristics (from size to disposal methods):
Exemplary composition of technical specifications mechanical engineering products.
1. Name and scope of application.
2. Basis for development.
3. Purpose and purpose of the development.
4. Sources of development.
5. Technical requirements.
5.1. Product composition.
5.2. Destination indicators.
5.3. Reliability requirements.
5.4. Requirements for manufacturability.
5.5. Requirements for the level of unification and standardization.
5.6. Security requirements
5.7. Requirements for aesthetics and ergonomics.
5.8. Requirements for patent purity.
5.9. Requirements for product components, raw materials, starting and operating materials.
5.10. Terms of Use.
5.11. Requirements for labeling and packaging.
5.12. Requirements for transportation and storage.
5.13. Additional requirements.
6. Economic indicators.
7. Stages and stages of development.
8. Procedure for control and acceptance.
The technical specifications largely cover the statement of the problem and the basic requirements for the product being developed.
The requirements development procedure is as follows.
The most important requirements (this is only part of the technical specifications, which are much wider) for a jack may look like this.
The development of the initial basic requirements for a product is a very important stage of design, as it serves to further clarify, clarify and detail the task at hand, is used and supplemented throughout the entire design process (at any stage) and can form the basis for the optimization of design solutions.
Before the start of any design, the purpose and scope of the designed device must be determined between the Project Customer and its Developer, and all its technical (tactical and technical) characteristics must be fully agreed upon. For this purpose, a special document is being developed - Technical task for the design of this device or system.
In the future, for the Developer, the Technical Specification is the primary, fundamental document that guides all stages of project development.
Development of Terms of Reference is a very important and responsible process. Mistakes made at this stage of development can lead to very serious consequences.
As a rule, the development of the Technical Specifications is carried out jointly by representatives of the Customer and the Designer. The technical specifications require great erudition and experience from the developers. Therefore, the terms of reference are drawn up by leading, most qualified specialists with significant experience in this field.
The terms of reference determine the main directions of development - the design and operating principle of the future product (device, system).
The technical specification is the initial stage of work and is drawn up for all developments and types of work necessary to create a new product. The terms of reference may also include, as one of the sections, carrying out
Research works,
Development work,
Development of automation equipment, individual components and systems, technology, measuring instruments, control equipment, safety equipment, etc.
The Customer's responsibility is to provide the developer with reliable initial data for product development. The customer is responsible for the requirements for the new product and the initial data and bears full responsibility for the correctness of the information provided.
The terms of reference should contain three main sections:
1. technical and economic requirements for products that determine their consumer properties and effectiveness of use,
2. list of documents requiring joint consideration by the Customer and Developer,
3. procedure for delivery and acceptance of development results.
If necessary, the technical specification may also contain requirements for the preparation and development of production.
The specific content of the technical specification is determined by the Customer and the Developer, and in case of proactive development - by the Developer.
If the Customer has individual requirements for the products being developed that differ from the requirements of the standards, but do not reduce the effectiveness of using the products under the specified conditions, he should obtain an opinion from the State Standard of the Russian Federation on the possibility of developing and manufacturing these products.
It is not allowed to include in the terms of reference requirements that contradict the requirements of the standards and regulatory documents of the bodies supervising safety, health and environmental protection.
The terms of reference should contain as much information as possible to facilitate the designer’s work and reduce development time.
The quality of the Terms of Reference is ensured by the volume and completeness of the collection of materials necessary for development. The following materials are used in development:
Scientific and technical information,
Patent information,
Characteristics of the sales market,
Characteristics of the production where the product will be manufactured (technological equipment, personnel qualifications, level of labor organization, etc.).
The Terms of Reference, as a rule, establish the following indicators of the product being developed:
Predicted indicators of technical level and quality,
Main purpose
Characteristics of the sales market,
Technical and performance characteristics,
Level of standardization and unification,
Technical and economic indicators
Patent legal indicators,
Special requirements for the product, etc.
The terms of reference are developed and approved in the manner established by the Customer and the Developer.
The general procedure for the development and approval of technical specifications is established by the State Standard of Russia GOST 15.001-88
The terms of reference stipulate the stages of development and the timing of each stage and the development as a whole.
The technical specifications are drawn up in accordance with the general requirements for text design documents in accordance with the State Standard GOST 2.105-95.
Table 1
Main sections of the technical specifications |
Sample list of questions discussed in section |
|
Name and scope of application (use). |
Name and symbol of the product being developed. Brief description of the scope of its application. General characteristics of the facility in which the product is used. |
|
Basis for development |
Full name of the document on the basis of which the product is developed. The organization that approved this document and the date of its approval. Name and symbol of the development topic. |
|
Purpose and purpose of development |
Operational and functional purpose, prospects for product production. |
|
Development sources |
List of scientific research and other works. List of experimental samples and mock-ups. |
|
Technical (tactical and technical) requirements |
Product composition and requirements for design solutions. Requirements for technical indicators. Reliability requirements. Requirements for manufacturability. Requirements for the level of unification and standardization. Safety requirements. Aesthetic and ergonomic requirements. Requirements for patent purity. Requirements for product components, raw materials, starting and operating materials. Terms of Use. Additional requirements. Requirements for labeling and packaging. Requirements for transportation and storage. Special requirements. |
|
Economic indicators |
Estimated economic efficiency and payback period. Marginal cost. Estimated annual demand for products. Economic advantages of the developed products compared to analogues. |
|
Composition and development stages |
Stages of development, stages of work and deadlines for their implementation (the deadlines indicated in the technical specifications are indicative: the main deadlines are indicated in the work plan or in the contract for the development of a new product). Manufacturer of the product being developed. The list of documents submitted for examination, the stages at which it is carried out, and the location of the examination. |
|
Control and acceptance procedure |
List of design documents subject to coordination and approval. List of organizations with which documents should be coordinated. General requirements for acceptance of work at development stages. Number of manufactured prototypes of products. |
|
Attachments to technical specifications |
List of research and other works justifying the need for development. Drawings, diagrams, descriptions, justifications, calculations and other documents that should be used during development. A list of interested organizations with which specific technical solutions are agreed upon in the product development process. List of new technological equipment necessary for the production of new products. |