MSPEC/TSO: architectural specification management utilizing the IBM time sharing option

In view of the shift of emphasis of the architectural practitioner's responsibility from environmental design for which he was trained to that of business management, especially in areas of contract document production, the possibility of relieving the practitioner from one time consuming activity, that of specification production, was investigated. Specifically, the possibility of automation of the task was a major consideration.

A procedure for the incorporation of the computer was developed. This procedure, entitled MSPEC/TSO, includes several recent developments in construction communication; namely, the CSI Format and the Uniform Construction Index. MSPEC/TSO consists of several original computer programs used in combination with the IBM System/360 Time Sharing Option for use with remote computer terminals. The procedure for operation was designed to be conversational with the operator, so as to be capable of operation by a clerical staff member.