RFI Drafter
Detects when a spec disagrees with a drawing detail or another spec, drafts the RFI question, attaches the conflicting evidence, models cost and schedule exposure, and routes to the right architect or engineer.
What it does
RFI Drafter finds the conflicts you would otherwise miss until the field crew calls you. Feed it a spec section and the relevant drawing reference (or the conflicting spec excerpts), and the engine produces a draft RFI with the exact question phrased for the architect or engineer, the cited evidence side-by-side, a routing recommendation (AOR / EOR / GC / Owner Rep), and a quick cost + schedule exposure estimate.
Every extracted field is confidence-gated. If the engine cannot pin a number with at least 70% confidence, it blanks the field and leaves a ? prompt for the PM rather than guessing. The PM edits, approves, and sends.
When to use it
- You spotted a spec/drawing conflict and need to draft the RFI fast — typically before the trade walks off site.
- A submittal review surfaced a substitution or deviation that needs design clarification.
- Field crew flagged an ambiguity in the morning huddle and you owe them a question by lunch.
- Voice Synthesis or Daily Log Synthesizer surfaced an open question worth elevating to a formal RFI.
Drafted RFIs flow straight into the RFI Tracker with routing, response deadline, and ball-in-court tracking. One click from draft to filed.
What to upload
Either a single conflict pair (spec excerpt + drawing reference) or the broader project context. The engine works best with the actual conflicting passages quoted directly — paste both sides into the trigger bar or upload the source PDFs and let the engine extract the conflicting text.
Optional inputs: the project's open RFI log (to dedupe), prior architect responses (for tone matching), and the project contact list (for routing recipients).
Step by step
Open the engine
Sidebar → Engines → RFI Drafter.
Describe the conflict
Use the trigger bar at the top to paste a one-line description (e.g., "Section 09 21 16 says 5/8" Type X but A4.2 detail 7 shows 1/2"").
Attach the evidence
Drop in the spec section PDF and the drawing sheet. Or paste the conflicting passages directly into the text inputs.
Run the drafter
30–60 seconds. The engine quotes both sides, drafts the question, models impact, and proposes a recipient.
Review the draft
Read the question. Edit the wording if needed. Confirm or override the recommended recipient. Check the cost/schedule exposure numbers.
Approve and file
Click File RFI to push the draft into the RFI Tracker with the routing, evidence, and exposure attached.
Send
The tracker handles the email send and starts the response-deadline clock.
Understanding the results
The phrased RFI question. Written in the formal tone expected by an AOR/EOR with the conflict stated cleanly. Editable in place.
Side-by-side quotes of the spec passage and the drawing note (or the two conflicting spec passages). Each quote carries its source reference (section number, sheet number).
Rough cost impact if the conflict resolves the more expensive way. Blanked with ? if confidence is below 70%.
Days of float consumed if response is delayed past a typical 7-day window. Marks critical-path items in red.
Recommended primary recipient (AOR / EOR / Owner Rep) plus a CC list. PM can override before filing.
Each field carries a small confidence badge. Below 70%, the field shows ? with a prompt for the PM to verify or fill in.
Every control, explained
Draft RFIConsumes one run. 30–60 seconds.
Edit questionIn-place edit on the drafted question text. PM polish before filing.
Override recipientChange the routing target if the engine guessed wrong (e.g., conflict is structural but engine routed to AOR).
Recompute exposureRe-runs the cost/schedule estimate if you've edited the question or added context. Does not consume a fresh engine run.
File RFIPushes the approved draft into the RFI Tracker. Starts the response clock, sends the email, attaches evidence as an exhibit.
Save as draftStores the work-in-progress draft without filing. Pick back up later.
Export PDFStandalone PDF of the drafted RFI with evidence appendix. Useful for review by an internal stakeholder before sending.