Preliminary CSI specification localization methodology matrix in China

Abstract

The Construction Specification Institute (CSI) specifications are widely used to define client quality standards and facilitate communications among design and construction professionals in North America. When a US company builds a facility in China, these specifications are applied and expected to be implemented by client to ensure the project quality. Owing to differences in design and construction practices, market availabilities of products, and quality acceptance regulatory requirements, the CSI Specifications for North America must be modified to fit Chinese local regulations, market availability, and construction technology while direct translating the specification into English does not work. A CSI specification model is built based on the structure and section contents followed by the inputs of issues, research questions and category of section are developed. And 5 step analysis is provided as the solutions of localized specifications suitable for Chinese market and construction execution. Furthermore, the model is validated at a real project, followed by a discussion of evaluation and limitations. Using the code system and section content of standard CSI specification, and considering equivalent Chinese code, local market availability and quality acceptance requirements are the primary methods to localize these specifications. This approach enables defining quality expectations representing corporate brand names in a language relevant to local market stakeholders.