Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract (CSI-based)

In CSI’s project delivery model, the level of development of specifications increases as the project moves through the design phases:

Project Conception – programming, needs assessment, feasibility; little or no formal specifications.

Schematic Design (SD) – conceptual design, basic systems and relationships; CSI now emphasizes Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPDs) as early, performance-oriented spec tools at this stage.

Design Development (DD) – selection and refinement of specific systems and assemblies; this is where outline specifications or expanded PPDs are used as a structured checklist for developing detailed requirements.

Construction Documents (CD) – full, coordinated section-by-section specifications in MasterFormat order, fully detailed to support bidding and construction.

CSI’s Construction Specifications Practice and CDT materials explain that outline specifications (or expanded PPDs) in the Design Development phase play a key role as a checklist and coordination tool. They:

List major assemblies, systems, and products by specification section.

Identify key performance and quality requirements in a concise format.

Help ensure that nothing is overlooked when moving into full specification writing in the Construction Documents phase.

Support coordination between disciplines (architectural, structural, MEP, etc.) by providing a common list of systems and materials.

Therefore, the phase where “outline specifications are created in order to be used as a checklist for further development of the project documents” is the Design Development phase (Option C).

Why the others are not the best fit:

A. Project Conception phaseAt this early stage, work is focused on needs, scope, feasibility, and budgeting. Specifications are generally not yet developed to the “outline” level; instead, information is more conceptual and programmatic.

B. Schematic Design phaseCSI increasingly promotes Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPDs) during Schematic Design, which are even higher-level and more performance-based than traditional outline specs. While some offices may start outline specs during SD, CSI’s standardized view places the checklist-style outline specifications more firmly in Design Development, when system choices are better defined.

D. Construction Documents phaseBy this phase, specifications are typically developed into full, detailed sections (Part 1–General, Part 2–Products, Part 3–Execution) rather than simple outline checklists. The outline specs or expanded PPDs created earlier in DD have already served their purpose in guiding the development of these full specifications and coordinated drawings.

CSI reference concepts:

CSI Project Delivery Practice Guide – chapters describing the design phases and the evolution from PPDs/outline specifications to full specifications.

CSI Construction Specifications Practice Guide – sections on preliminary specifying, PPDFormat, and the role of outline specifications during the Design Development phase.