According to the CSI website “The Construction Documents Technology (CDT) Program provides a comprehensive overview for anyone who writes, interprets, enforces, or manages construction documents. Project architects, contractors, contract administrators, material suppliers, and manufacturers' representatives are all realizing the advantages of being Construction Documents Technologists.” That’s a mouthful. Let’s unpack this idea.

Know What You Are Doing

Understanding the very detailed and in-depth world of construction documents isn’t very intuitive. From your proposals and bids, to contractual relationships, to the overall organization of all of the documents on any given project, the maze of paperwork is vast. The CDT Program is built to shed some light on the overall scheme.

Workflow is paramount to keeping costs down, and all the players cohesive. The days of only knowing your little section are gone. Now it’s just as important to know how one specification section connects and supports another, and how that connects to all other participants roles and responsibilities. When everyone is on the same page, the job gets done right, gets done safe, and gets done on time – sometimes even on budget.

Where Is Your Credibility?

In an interview with APDSP a Director said, “It gives you instant credibility,” Ponder says. “I don’t boast about it, but I tell people the more I understand your workflow, the better things go. When talking to perspective clients, the credential is valuable.” Anytime you can show that you have learned more about your industry, you gain credibility. By completing the CDT Program you show that not only are you looking out for number 1, you are distinctly interested in watching out for numbers 2 – 10, which include your clients.

When asked why the CDT exam, Metropolitan NY Chapter of CSI said this, “The answer is: The PDPG will provide you with the knowledge of AIA A201, Division 01, facility life cycle, and participants’ roles and responsibilities needed to successfully execute your projects. Finally, the CDT credentials will provide you with knowledge that will make you more marketable.”.

Know-It-All

Let’s face it, there are many, many folks out there who think they know everything. Then you put them in on a project and it spirals out of control. The entire time, that person is blaming this team, that team, or the invisible team that’s just out to get them because they’re jealous. Having the credentials listed right after your name show, without having to say a word, that you know your job and how your job intersects with the rest of the jobs on the project. When we were kids, being a know-it-all was frowned upon. It was akin to arrogance. However, in this industry, a product manufacturer who knows-it-all can dominate their space.

Ron Blank, the founder of our company, is a CDT credential holder. Early on, he saw the value in this program. He is able to show that he is a leader in his space with the credentials that he holds, including CDT. How do you prove that you are a leader in your space? How does your company push its representatives to show their knowledge?