RIB SpecTalk

Register for the next SpecTalk episode on September 23, featuring Amy Baker as our special guest.

In this episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear sit down with longtime specification expert Beth Stroshane to explore creative and practical ways tags can transform your workflow. From training new team members and tracking project blanks, to improving quality control and streamlining consultant reviews, Beth shares proven techniques that help turn overwhelming specification sets into focused, actionable reports.

Whether you’re managing a 1,600+ page project manual, coordinating consultant input, or building a more consistent QC process, this episode is packed with real-world strategies you can implement immediately.

What You’ll Learn

• How to use tags to simplify specification reviews and quality control
• Creating blank reports to track missing project information
• Building executive summary reports for project teams and stakeholders
• Using tags to improve training and onboarding for new spec writers
• Generating submittal logs and reducing unnecessary submittals
• Tracking owner review comments and verifying changes efficiently
• Maintaining consistency across specifications, colors, finishes, and requirements
• Organizing company-wide tag naming standards and workflows
• Creative real-world tag applications shared by experienced SpecLink users
• How tags help coordinate specifications with drawings and consultant reviews

In this episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by architect and self-proclaimed Founding Spec Ninja, Eric Letbetter, for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked productivity tools in RIB SpecLink: the project template.

Eric shares how he has transformed the standard SpecLink template into a powerful workflow engine filled with reusable content, automation, custom links, project notes, SmartText, quality control tools, sustainable design workflows, and firm-wide standards. Whether you’re creating new technical sections from scratch, managing office masters, or looking for ways to save hours on every project, this session is packed with practical strategies you can apply immediately.

What You’ll Learn

• Where SpecLink templates live and how they work
• Why customized templates improve consistency across projects
• Building reusable content with choice fields and SmartText
• Using project notes to document workflows and preserve institutional knowledge
• Creating custom links to automate repetitive editing tasks
• Leveraging templates when developing new guide specifications
• Managing sustainable design requirements through template automation
• Using templates as a repository for tags, reports, forms, and office standards
• Best practices for balancing templates, office masters, and project-specific content
• Tips for reducing repetitive editing and improving quality control

Are you spending extra time repeating the same tasks or searching for tools in SpecLink? Small adjustments to your settings can make a big difference in productivity, consistency, and overall user experience. In this SpecTalk episode, we welcomed Gary Christensen, Director of Customer Adoption at RIB SpecLink, for a practical presentation on how custom settings can help you work more efficiently. Gary shared tips, examples, and overlooked features that can streamline your workflow, reduce frustration, and help you get more value from the platform every day. 

Talking points: 

• Personalize settings for efficiency 

• Reduce clicks and repetitive tasks 

• Improve consistency across projects 

Choosing the right building products has never been more challenging. From performance requirements and sustainability goals to supply chain considerations and product documentation, design professionals are expected to make critical decisions faster than ever.

In this episode of SpecTalk, Dory Azar is joined by Matt Johnson, Director of Manufacturer Solutions at RIB, and Chris Laborde, Regional Technical Advisor at Guardian Glass, for a deep dive into how better data leads to better product decisions. Through a live demonstration, Chris showcases Guardian Glass’s powerful performance tools, visualizers, and specification workflows while Matt shares industry insights on sustainability trends, manufacturer collaboration, and the future of specification-driven design.

What You’ll Learn

• Why product information availability remains one of the biggest specification challenges
• How Guardian Glass’s Performance Calculator simplifies glazing selection
• Generating project-specific specifications directly from performance data
• Using visualization tools to compare glass appearance and performance
• Best practices for reducing copy-and-paste specification errors
• How manufacturers and specifiers can collaborate more effectively
• The growing importance of EPDs, HPDs, and sustainability documentation
• Supply chain considerations that impact product selection decisions
• Building a “single source of truth” for project specifications
• Future opportunities for connected product data and specification workflows

When the final drawing set arrives and the clock is ticking, specification teams are often left with just hours—or a few days—to make critical updates before documents go out the door. In this episode of SpecTalk, Alex Bear demonstrates how RIB SpecLink helps architects, spec writers, and project teams confidently manage last-minute design changes, coordinate with consultants, and deliver accurate construction documents under tight deadlines.

From transitioning seamlessly from outline specs to full specifications, to leveraging Revit integration, global terms, content updates, track changes, and collaborative commenting tools, this session explores practical workflows that reduce risk, improve coordination, and eliminate the chaos often associated with the final stages of a project.

What You’ll Learn

• How to move from outline → short form → full specification without rework
• Using Revit integration to identify and manage late-stage model changes
• Quickly importing content from similar projects and office master templates
• Automatically formatting consultant specifications to match your project standards
• Leveraging Global Terms to make project-wide changes in seconds
• Applying specification content updates to keep standards and manufacturer information current
• Managing final reviews with Track Changes and version control
• Collaborating efficiently using comments, notifications, and review workflows
• Best practices for reducing RFIs, change orders, and specification errors during project closeout

In this special 2-year anniversary episode of SpecTalk, we go beyond templates and tools to explore the human side of specification writing. Hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by industry leaders Amy Baker (Architect & Specifications Consultant) and Jennifer Keegan (Senior Director of Building & Roofing Science at GAF) to unpack the real-world challenges of collaboration between specifiers and manufacturers.

From guide spec frustrations to “quietly proprietary” pitfalls, this episode dives deep into how relationships, communication, and trust shape better specs, and ultimately, better buildings. Plus, hear why reps are more important than ever in a world of AI and information overload.

What You’ll Learn

• The biggest frustrations with manufacturer guide specs, and how to overcome them
• Why inconsistent formatting slows down spec workflows
• How to spot “quietly proprietary” specs that limit competitive bidding
• The role of product data sheets and how to interpret performance data
• Differences between product reps, architectural reps, and technical specialists
• Why reps are essential and why AI can’t replace them (yet)
• How trust, communication, and responsiveness build lasting industry relationships
• Why mentorship gaps are being filled by manufacturers and reps
• Strategies for balancing research time across multiple competing products

Presenters & Guests

• Alex Bear – Strategic Account Executive Team Lead, RIB Software
• Alex Fulton – Training Specialist, RIB SpecLink
• Jennifer Keegan – Senior Director of Building and Roofing Science at GAF
• Amy Baker – Architect and Specifications Consultant at Amy Baker Architect

What happens when you bring the SpecTalk booth LIVE to the AIA Expo floor? You get real, unfiltered conversations with industry leaders shaping the future of construction, architecture, and specification writing.

In this special episode, we go fully unscripted, connecting with manufacturers, innovators, and product experts across the show floor. From bulletproof window systems and automated drive-thru technology, to anti-slip safety solutions, high-performance insulation, bird-friendly glass, and AI-powered specifications, this episode captures the pulse of the AEC industry in real time.

Whether you’re an architect, specifier, contractor, or manufacturer, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and practical innovations you can apply to your next project.

What You’ll Learn

• The future of multi-threat building protection systems (ballistic + climate resilience)
• How automation is transforming quick-service & building interactions
• Why education-first marketing is key in niche construction products
• The rise of turnkey, frictionless specification solutions
• How SpecLink integrates with BIM workflows without requiring Revit licenses
• Real-world use cases of AI in specification quality control—not content generation
• The importance of retrofit-focused building solutions & high-performance materials
• Emerging trends like bird-friendly glass & sustainability-driven codes
• How manufacturers are reducing friction for architects through digital tools & data integration

Hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by Tammy Tucker, Technical Support Manager at RIB Software and the powerhouse behind thousands of solved SpecLink support tickets. With 25+ years in technical support and 14 years dedicated to SpecLink users, Tammy shares the most common support questions, fast fixes, and hidden productivity tips every spec writer should know.

From the mysterious blue spinning wheel to printing failures caused by copy‑paste gremlins, to collaboration and licensing confusion, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you work faster, avoid repeat issues, and get the most out of RIB SpecLink Cloud.

What You’ll Learn

• How to find answers faster using the SpecLink Guide & upcoming customer portal
• The Fix Hierarchy tool, when to use it and why it’s a powerful QA/QC check
• What causes the infamous blue spinning wheel (and how to fix it instantly)
• Login & password reset issues explained (security tokens, blocked emails, and more)
• Why specs sometimes won’t print or export, and how to isolate the problem
• Best practices for copy‑paste from Word and manufacturer websites
• Collaboration basics: sharing vs. sending, licenses, and access control
• Using comments, tags, and reports to track spec progress
• How enhancement requests actually influence the SpecLink roadmap

How do you build smarter Office Masters, collaborate seamlessly with consultants, and avoid common SpecLink pitfalls as a new or infrequent user?

In this open house episode of SpecTalk, host Alex Bear is joined by Alex Fulton, RIB SpecLink Cloud training specialist, for a fast‑paced, question‑driven session covering the cornerstones of SpecLink Cloud. From Office Master strategy and collaboration workflows to comments vs. notes, reporting, sharing with consultants, and power‑user tips, this episode is packed with real‑world guidance straight from the experts.

What You’ll Learn

• Best practices for creating and managing Office Masters
• When to use one master vs. multiple sector‑specific masters
• Office Master templates built from real projects
• The difference between comments vs. notes (and when each should be used)
• How to collaborate with engineers and external consultants
• Sharing specs with active view vs. normal view
• Using tags, reports, and document attachments effectively
• Top 3 tips for new or infrequent SpecLink users
• Standalone fill‑in‑the‑blank fields, units, and section IDs
• How Smart Links work (green, yellow, and red logic)
• Where to find spec sections using the content guide & sections report
• Printing outline specs, short‑form specs, and attached documents

Getting started with specifications can feel overwhelming. Where do you begin? What comes first? And how do you avoid costly mistakes? In this episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear break the process down into three clear, manageable steps with legendary specifier Marjorie Weibe-Reed of Mead & Hunt.

From identifying the right sections early, to evaluating products with confidence, to building a rock‑solid QA/QC process, this conversation demystifies specs for beginners and seasoned professionals alike. Along the way, Marjorie shares real‑world lessons, practical workflows in RIB SpecLink, and a memorable “recipe” analogy that makes the three‑part spec format finally click.

What You’ll Learn

• When to start specs and how early narratives guide section selection
• How to build a table of contents from drawings, keynotes, and product data
• A simple framework for understanding the three‑part specification format
• Practical strategies for product evaluation and selection
• How SpecLink linking automatically informs Parts 1, 2, and 3
• Using comments, reports, and active view for coordination and QA/QC
• Why peer reviews matter—and how to catch mistakes before bid day
• Encouragement and advice for architects considering a path into specs

In this episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Bear are joined by industry expert Beth Stroshane to explore how treating specs as infrastructure transforms productivity, training, and long‑term success.

Beth, founder and managing partner of Applied Building Information, shares decades of experience helping firms build, automate, and maintain large master specification libraries. Together, the panel dives deep into how to structure a master spec, reduce manual editing, train the next generation of spec writers, and use automation in RIB SpecLink Cloud to turn institutional knowledge into repeatable workflows.

What You’ll Learn

• What a master specification really is — and why every firm needs one
• How to structure masters across building types, regions, and project scopes
• When to use one master vs. multiple masters
• Using configuration checklists for interiors, exteriors, regions, and codes
• Turning experience into automation with links, tags, and global logic
• Teaching specification fundamentals without “downloading the wizard’s brain”
• Using tags and reports for QC workflows and master updates
• Why aiming for a solid C+ master beats perfection every time
• How specs function as infrastructure, not overhead