RIB SpecTalk

Back by popular demand! Part 2 of our “SpecLink for Owners” series is here!

In this follow-up episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear welcome David Abrams—Strategic Account Director at RIB SpecLink and former AE lead at a major EV manufacturer—to explore how owners can take control of their specifications across portfolios.

Whether you manage facilities in healthcare, education, retail, or manufacturing, this episode shows how tools like Office Masters, regional templates, and tagging systems empower owners to enforce standards, reduce RFIs, improve bids, and streamline maintenance operations. From product substitutions to procurement pitfalls (yes, even soap dispensers), this episode delivers practical advice and industry-backed solutions for building with consistency and clarity.

What You’ll Learn:

• How owners drive consistency using Office Masters and Basis of Design documentation
• Managing regional prototypes and code differences through modular spec templates
• Using locked content, inline notes, and comment tagging for transparency and team alignment
• The “six soap dispensers” story—and why small spec inconsistencies cost big
• Performance-based vs. prescriptive specs: when and why to shift
• How to collaborate with consultants and architects without giving up control

We’re back for Season 2 of SpecTalk, and we’re starting strong with a deep dive into why communication and collaboration are the backbone of great specifications.

Hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear welcome back Holly Jordan, President & Principal Specifier of Jordan Consultants, to share her expertise on working seamlessly with owners, architects, product reps, and internal teams — and how RIB SpecLink makes it all easier.

This episode explores SpecLink’s collaboration tools, from commenting and notes to customizable sharing permissions, and how they help teams stay aligned, accountable, and efficient. Holly also offers her honest take on professional etiquette when working with product reps, plus some fun behind-the-scenes chatter about feature requests like dark mode.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why professional relationships with knowledgeable product reps are essential
• How to use comments and internal notes in SpecLink for accountability and clarity
• Tips for setting permissions to share just the right amount with external partners
• Why retaining resolved comments creates a valuable audit trail
• A sneak peek at what users are asking for next (yes, dark mode came up!)
• Real-world best practices from Holly on keeping teams organized and informed

This week, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by guest Amy Baker, an architect and specification consultant whose innovative use of RIB SpecLink is reshaping how proposals, specs, and templates are managed in real-world projects.

Amy shares creative, under-the-radar ways she uses SpecLink—like generating proposal documents, managing client-specific office masters, reducing repetitive tasks, and automating workflows with global terms and smart linking. Whether you’re a spec veteran or new to the platform, this episode will inspire you to think beyond traditional spec writing.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to create and format proposal documents in SpecLink

• Ways to eliminate repetitive data entry using global terms

• How to maintain multiple office masters with client-specific headers/logos

• Linking services to deliverables with automation tools

• Deep dive into “Sheet Specs” and when to use them

• How to import only what you need—skip the library overload

• Real-time formatting tips for clean PDF/Word output

• Live audience Q&A: customizing proposals, integrating logos, and more

In this insightful episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by industry veteran Corinne Golding, RSW, to explore what it really takes to transition from traditional word processors to a smarter, more powerful specification platform: RIB SpecLink.

Corinne shares her personal story of upgrading her workflow during the pandemic, walks through the common fears that hold people back, and unpacks the real-world advantages of making the switch. If you’re a solo specifier, independent consultant, or just sick of reformatting specs until your hands cramp, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why specifiers hesitate to move away from Word
• How Corinne transitioned to SpecLink with trial runs and realistic goals
• Top features that simplify spec writing, like intelligent linking and auto headers
• How teams can collaborate using comments, tags, and shared templates
• The game-changing output tools that reduce formatting stress and save hours
• Tips for solo practitioners and firms onboarding new spec writers

In this special Open House edition of SpecTalk, host Alex Bear welcomes Matt Phillips, Product Owner of SpecLink Cloud, for an unscripted, audience-driven Q&A session. Whether you’re an experienced user, a curious architect, or a 10-person firm without a spec writer, this episode is your front-row seat to learn how RIB SpecLink streamlines workflows, automates compliance, and supports collaboration across your entire project team.

From importing Word docs and managing role-based access to tracking submittals and using tags, this episode dives into real user questions and shows powerful new features, like batch importing, historic preservation specs, and collaboration tools that make working with consultants and engineers easier.

What You’ll Learn:

• How even small firms can write specs without a dedicated spec writer
• Word spec importing & formatting tools for architects and consultants
• Office Masters, role management, and onboarding strategies for large teams
• Real-time collaboration: Share sections, tag content, and track decisions
• Weekly content updates, manufacturer vetting, and intelligent linking
• New features: Batch Word import (up to 10 docs) + spec forms upload

In this groundbreaking episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear sit down with industry veteran Glenn Hynes to spotlight a different—but equally vital—player in the construction process: the building owner.

From healthcare networks to retail chains, owners today are juggling more complexity than ever. Glenn explains how RIB SpecLink empowers owners to define and enforce performance specs across entire portfolios before an architect draws a single line. Discover how a centralized, cloud-based specification system helps reduce discrepancies, boost speed-to-market, and support long-term operations and procurement strategies.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why owners are taking the lead on specification standards
• How SpecLink acts as a “living library” for enterprise-wide spec consistency
• Using intelligent linking and project checklists to tailor specs by geography
• Tips from Glenn Hynes on future-proofing documents and archiving milestones
• How SpecLink improves collaboration with architects and reduces RFIs

In this forward-looking episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear dive deep with RIB Software’s Justin Faltot and Matt Johnson to explore powerful tools that make collaboration easier between building product manufacturers and design professionals, while reducing complexity and errors. From SpecLive tools that link Revit plugins directly to specs, to a rigorous vetting process for BPM listings, this episode breaks down how RIB SpecLink empowers specifiers and building product manufacturers (BPMs) to work smarter, not harder.

Whether you’re curious about AI in construction specs, BIM integration, or how to vet your products into SpecLink, this conversation is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why BPMs are becoming spec collaborators—not just product suppliers.
• The difference between legacy and product listings in SpecLink (and why it’s not pay-to-play).
• How SpecLive Connect + Assist bridges Revit, Word, and spec tools.
• What AI can—and can’t—do in spec writing today.
• The future of BIM and spec integration: what’s real and what’s hype.

In this episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear welcome Alex Fulton, Training Specialist at RIB SpecLink, for a deep dive into SpecLink’s basic features, but with a twist. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned user, this episode will show you how to supercharge your workflow with features like global terms, tagging, submittal reports, and Word imports. Learn how, when used effectively, these core functions can transform your spec writing, improve project coordination, and boost efficiency across all project stages.

What You’ll Learn:

• Global Terms: Standardize project data and automate updates across your specs.
• Tagging Techniques: How to track submittals, materials, and project notes using tags.
• Submittal Reports: Instantly generate professional submittal logs with just a few clicks.
• Word Imports: Tips for enhanced text formatting and automating specification imports.
• Permissions Explained: Setting up your team for success with role-based access.

In this episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear welcome Eric Ledbetter, an architect and certified construction specifier with 30+ years of experience, to explore the power of custom linking in RIB SpecLink. This powerful feature allows firms to tailor their spec writing process to their unique project needs, improving efficiency, accuracy, and coordination. Learn how firms use linking to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and save 20+ hours per project in this insightful SpecTalk episode!

What You’ll Learn:

• How Custom Linking Works: Automate updates across multiple sections and ensure consistency.
• Time-Saving Techniques: A case study of a firm that saved 600+ hours by implementing linking strategies.
• Best Practices & Common Mistakes: Avoid over-linking, use global terms wisely, and optimize document management.
• Collaboration Made Easy: Track edits, set role-based permissions, and integrate consultants efficiently.

In this episode, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear sit down with Holly Jordan, founder of Jordan Consultants, to discuss best practices for organizing complex specifications, collaborating across large project teams, and leveraging RIB SpecLink to improve efficiency, compliance, and consistency. Whether you’re writing specs for a multi-million-dollar facility or scaling up your workflow, this episode is packed with insights to streamline your specification process.

What You’ll Learn:

• Managing Large-Scale Specifications: How to break specs into structured sections and maintain clarity across stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Communication: Using real-time commenting and role-based access to keep teams aligned.
• Tracking Changes & Compliance: How SpecLink automates updates and generates submittal logs for seamless project tracking.
• Best Practices for Big Construction Projects: Strategies to avoid siloed workflows, automate content activation, and stay proactive with updates.

In this episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by Jason Hicks (Canadian Professional Content Manager at RIB Software) and guest expert David Graham (Principal at Deepgram Architecture) to explore the crucial role of specifications in construction quality control. Learn how specs act as the backbone of project success, define materials and standards, and establish a contract hierarchy. From understanding the three-part spec structure to managing conflicts between specs and drawings, this episode covers everything spec writers and architects need to know to elevate their projects.

What You’ll Learn:

• The “Spec Effect”: How specifications ensure quality, functionality, and risk mitigation in construction.
• Three-Part Spec Structure: Breaking down General, Products, and Execution sections for clarity and precision.
• Contract Hierarchies: Navigating conflicts between specs and drawings and understanding document precedence.
• Best Practices: Avoiding ambiguous terms, maintaining consistency, and leveraging RIB SpecLink for efficient spec writing.

Want to master the editing process in RIB SpecLink? In this episode, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by Gary Christiansen, SpecLink Expert, to break down best practices for editing specifications efficiently. Learn how to activate, modify, and manage sections with automation, sequence numbers, and linking features—ensuring a smoother, faster specification process. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, this episode is packed with expert insights to streamline your workflow!

What You’ll Learn:

• Activating & Editing Sections: Step-by-step guide to managing sequence numbers, paragraph levels, and automation.
• Understanding SpecLink’s Color-Coding System: How to interpret inactive content, user modifications, and linked automation.
• Customizing Content: Adding, modifying, and excluding content while maintaining consistency.
• Using the Document Map: Navigate large specifications efficiently without endless scrolling.
• Best Practices & Training Resources: How to access SpecLink’s guide, video tutorials, and upcoming training sessions.

In this episode, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by Gary Christiansen, RIB’s Client Education Manager, to explore the power of Office Masters in SpecLink Cloud. Learn how to create reusable templates that enhance consistency, efficiency, and collaboration across disciplines. Whether you’re managing updates, customizing templates, or collaborating with external stakeholders, this episode is packed with tips and tools to transform your workflows!

What You’ll Learn:

• Creating Office Masters: Tips for building reusable templates for seamless specification writing.
• Content Management: How to update sections, reference standards, and manufacturers efficiently.
• Collaboration Tools: Using comments and sharing features for better teamwork.
• Customization Options: Tailoring headers, footers, and templates to meet client demands.

Join hosts Alex Bear and Dory Azar alongside special guest Alex Fulton, RIB’s training specialist, as they celebrate the final episode of SpecTalk for 2024. This festive, year-end edition looks back at the highlights of SpecTalk, user contributions, and the top SpecLink Cloud features that defined the year.

What You’ll Learn:

• 2024 Year in Review: Dive into the major updates, innovations, and successes that defined SpecLink this year.
• Exclusive Feature Reveal: Be among the first to see the exciting updates in the December release, designed to streamline your specification workflow.
• Interactive Live Q&A: Share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage directly with our team during this interactive session.

In this engaging episode of SpecTalk, hosts Alex Bear and Dory Azar are joined by special guest Eric Ledbetter, an NCARB-certified architect and accomplished specifier with over 30 years of experience. Recorded live and in-person, this episode dives deep into the art of tagging in RIB SpecLink—a powerful feature that revolutionizes specification writing and quality control.

What You’ll Learn:

• Custom Tags for Allowances: Organize and identify specific allowances in your projects to ensure clarity and alignment with budgetary constraints.
• Utilizing Report Tags: Streamline administrative requirements by tagging submittals, making it easier to track and manage documentation efficiently.
• Tagging Custom Content: Enhance flexibility and control by applying custom tags to unique project elements or specifications.
• Creating Custom Tags: Assign tags to specific Basis of Design products to distinguish them and simplify project updates and approvals.
• Tags and Reports for Maintenance or Special Contracts: Use tailored tags to ensure clear communication and seamless project execution.

In this special edition, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by Jason Hicks, Canadian Professional Content Manager at RIB Software, to explore specification writing tailored to Canadian standards. Whether you’re a seasoned specifier or just getting started, this episode delivers valuable insights, tools, and updates for the Canadian market.

What You’ll Learn:

• Maximizing SpecLink: Tips for leveraging SpecLink’s Canadian spec content and features tailored to your needs.
• Content Localization: Best practices for adapting templates and Office Masters for Canadian projects.
• Learn more about topics like inserting images, cross-checking specs, and the path to becoming a Certified Specification Writer (CSP) in Canada.

In this game-changing episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by Beth Stroshen, founder of Applied Building Information, for a deep dive into how specification linking and automation can revolutionize your specification workflows. Beth shares valuable expert insights, explains the mentioned golf analogy in detail and demonstrates how RIB SpecLink helps specifiers achieve unparalleled accuracy, consistency, and efficiency.

What You’ll Learn:

• How intelligent links make spec writing faster and more accurate
• Shortcuts to navigate SpecLink’s linking features effectively
• Best practices for customizing spec links to fit your project needs
• Tips for leveraging SpecLink’s CSI-standard content and automated workflows

In this engaging episode of SpecTalk, hosts Alex Bear, Dory Azar, and Holly Jordan tackle the most common challenges in specification writing and share expert advice on how to avoid them. From grammar gaffes to outdated standards, they break down actionable strategies to streamline your specs and enhance professional documentation.

What You’ll Learn:

• Navigating non-compliance with standards: Learn how to keep specs aligned with the latest industry regulations, preventing costly project delays.
• Avoiding over-specification: Find out how to streamline details to avoid overwhelming project teams, focusing on clarity and cost-efficiency.
• Ensuring consistent formatting and terminology: See how uniformity in specs improves clarity and reduces the risk of misinterpretation.
• Using advanced features in SpecLink: Including automation tools, global formatting controls, and more, to help you save time, increase accuracy, and elevate your project quality.

Join hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear, along with special guest Scott Mize, RIB Director of Architectural Content, in this festive and insightful Halloween-themed episode of SpecTalk. The trio dive into the development, structure, and future trends of specification content and spec writing within RIB SpecLink, all while rocking creative costumes!

What You’ll Learn

• Just like a trip to the doctor, no one wants to spend more time on specs than necessary. We’ll show you how to streamline the process and get it over with quickly, without sacrificing quality.
• Not all content is created equal. Learn how RIB’s spec content differs from others on the market and why it’s designed to be your secret weapon.
• Spec writing doesn’t need to be dense. We’ll share our internal style guidelines to help you keep your text clean, uncluttered, and easy to read. Plus, we’ll remind you where to find helpful master notes and links to streamline your process.
• With RIB’s easy-to-use choice fields, selecting the right products for your specifications is a breeze—or you can easily include your own!
• Our content is great, but the SpecLink database makes it sing. We’ll show you how it all connects to simplify your workflow.
• Learn how to efficiently share spec writing wisdom with others in your firm so the process is less terrifying for everyone.

In this episode of SpecTalk, Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by Amy Baker, architect and specification consultant, to explore the world of specifications for small projects. Whether you’re managing a $1 million interior renovation or a roofing update, this episode explores the nuances of choosing between sheet specs and full manuals and how RIB SpecLink makes the process seamless.

What You’ll Learn:

• Outline and short form specs: when to use them and best practices.
• The key information to include in specs for small vs. large projects.
• Where do sheet specs fit in: When to use and why, owner and design team preferences on when to use them as a preferred deliverable.
• How sheet specs allow for flexibility in limited-scope projects such as restoration, renovation and interiors.
• How sheet specs can help both efficiency and holding contractors and subcontractors accountable.
• Risk assessment when it comes to paring down the level of detail in specs and having a lean set of drawings.
• A demonstration of how SpecLink’s sheet spec export tool can save you days of work on formatting and importing.
• Interactive Q&A with one of the nation’s top spec writers and special guest, Amy Baker.

In this SpecTalk episode, our presenters discuss the essentials of sustainability in construction and spec writing with our special guests, sustainability expert Garrett Ferguson from JLL, and specifications expert Holly Jordan from Jordan Consultants. From rating systems like LEED to sustainable materials and creative reuse, discover how to integrate eco-conscious practices into your projects using RIB SpecLink.

What You’ll Learn:

• Sustainability in the construction industry (past, present, and future): From early green efforts to today’s advanced sustainability practices, see how the industry has evolved and how specs have adapted to changing expectations.
• Managing certification decisions: LEED, WELL, and beyond—how do you navigate certification choices to meet project goals and what are the benefits?
• Collaboration for sustainability: Explore how owners, designers, and specifiers can team up to achieve meaningful sustainability outcomes.
• Incorporating your own standards: Learn how to seamlessly integrate your company’s reference content and sustainability standards into your project specifications for a more personalized and consistent approach.

Our special guest, Gary Christensen, RIB Client Education Manager, will guide you through key updates designed to make your spec writing faster, easier, and more efficient. This special edition of SpecTalk unveils game-changing features and enhancements designed to streamline workflows and improve collaboration for specifiers and project teams.

What You’ll See:

• Document Map: Effortlessly navigate specification sections with a handy outline next to the Editor.
• Project Filters: Use the new “Filter By” menu to quickly find and filter through projects and office masters.
• Collaborative Workflows: Work collaboratively with permission-based user access and comments, even while another user is editing.
• Improved Word Document Import: Enjoy enhanced control over Word document imports, with smarter text conversion and no pre-import coding!

In this dynamic, open house episode of SpecTalk, host Alex Bear is joined by architect Dory Azar, specification consultant Holly Jordan, and product manager Nish Patel to answer audience questions about RIB SpecLink and the art of specification writing. Our experts will walk you through SpecLink’s specification software key features and functionalities, showing you how it streamlines your workflow and boosts productivity. This engaging session covers everything from practical tips to fun anecdotes about collaboration and spec-writing best practices.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to incorporate consultant specs and ensure seamless collaboration
• Tips for managing permissions, linking standards, and activating sections
• Best practices for importing Word documents and streamlining project workflows
• The importance of staying flexible and experimenting with SpecLink’s features

In this special episode of SpecTalk, host Alex Bear welcomes specification expert Holly Jordan, Architect Dory Azar, and Product Manager Nish Patel, to discuss how junior professionals can thrive in specification writing. Learn how RIB SpecLink makes the process approachable, interactive, and rewarding for the next generation of architects, engineers, and specification writers.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why younger professionals should consider a career as a specification writer
• Best practices to break down the complexities of specifications for newcomers to the field
• How tools like SpecLink make specification writing more efficient and aligned with modern design processes
• Harness the power of SpecLink’s advanced capabilities to streamline the specification process while facilitating learning
• Tap into your firm’s collective wisdom through optimized Office Masters and senior staff expertise
• Real-world strategies and advice from experienced users for creating high-quality specs efficiently

In this episode of SpecTalk, host Alex Bear is joined by BIM expert Judah Jackson, Architect Dory Azar, and Product Manager Nish Patel to explore the powerful integration of Revit and BIM with RIB SpecLink. It’s never been easier for specification writers to coordinate and collaborate with their team. BIM integration helps you work faster and smarter by helping design professionals.

What You’ll Learn:

• How SpecLink integrates with Revit to streamline specification writing
• Coordinate and communicate key design changes throughout the design phase
• Identify and adjust specifications based on changes made in your Revit model
• View embedded BIM object data and monitor the impact of changes
• Access the model from any web-enabled device—no Revit license required