Writing Specifications

The content will be specific to each individual or group attending and their particular requirements but may include elements of the following:

	Why have specifications?
	Basic principles and specification types
	Communicating your exact needs to the supplier
	Formalising the specification
	Benchmarking
	The specification as a means of quality management
	Defining critical, major and minor factors
	Performance factors
	Tolerances
	Essential vs. Desirable elements
	Producing a specification that is achievable and within budget guidelines
	Sampling criteria and defining acceptable defect levels
	Working with your suppliers to define the specification
	Layout and design of the document
	What to include in the specification and what to omit
	Use of technology
	Including tests and methods for checking performance and other characteristics

Personal and Organisational Learning Outcomes

	Improved reliability of products and services
	Consistent levels of quality
	Acceptable standards agreed between customer and supplier
	Critical, major and minor factors clearly defined with achievable limits
	Working document for quality control purposes
	Clarification of exact requirements
	Detailed test methods
	Useful for agreeing prices with existing/new suppliers