Scope Builder
Reads spec text and writes procurement-ready trade scopes — one per discipline — with inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, and qualifications. Grounded in the spec, no invented requirements. Feeds directly into the RFQ Generator.
What it does
Scope Builder identifies each distinct trade discipline in a spec and writes the scope of work for it. Each generated scope has four sections grounded directly in the spec text: inclusions (what the trade is responsible for), exclusions (what they are not), assumptions (the basis-of-bid context), and qualifications (the bid-day caveats). Every line is traced to a spec reference so the source is verifiable.
Trades are grouped with CSI MasterFormat division mapping (Division 03 Concrete, Division 09 Finishes, etc.) and cross-trade coordination notes are surfaced where the spec implies them. Each scope persists to the scopes table for downstream consumption by RFQ Generator and the standard pre-award workflow.
The engine is intentionally conservative — no invented requirements, no extrapolation beyond the spec. If the spec is silent, the engine notes it as an assumption to confirm rather than making one up.
When to use it
- New project bid — upload the spec and have trade scopes ready for the RFQ generator in 20 seconds.
- Repackaging the work — existing scope is too monolithic; break it into trade-by-trade scopes for separate procurement.
- Onboarding a new estimator — let the engine produce the first draft and walk the team through the spec citations.
- Audit existing scope — compare against the spec to catch gaps before the bid goes out.
Drafted scopes flow straight into RFQ Generator — every line item becomes a structured RFQ section, ready for vendor distribution.
What to upload
The spec text. Best results with the relevant CSI sections rather than the full Project Manual — the engine works fine with broader input but scoping tight produces sharper trade-by-trade output. PDF or pasted text both work.
Optional: a trade hint ("focus on Division 09"), a project type tag (commercial / institutional / industrial / residential), and any company-standard scope-language preferences. Without these the engine still produces a complete scope; with them it produces one closer to your house style.
Step by step
Open the engine
Sidebar → Engines → Scope Builder.
Upload the spec
PDF or pasted text. Section-level scoping (Section 09 21 16 instead of full Division 09) produces sharper output.
Optional: trade hint + project type
Tags that steer the engine. Skip if you want the full set of identified trades.
Run the build
20–40 seconds.
Walk each generated scope
One per identified trade. Each has inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, qualifications — with spec citations.
Edit before persisting
PM polish: tighten language, add company-standard qualifications, override the CSI division if the engine misclassified.
Persist to scopes table
Click Save Scopes to write each trade scope to the scopes table for RFQ Generator.
Chain to RFQ Generator
Chain forward to generate the bid-ready RFQ for each scope.
Understanding the results
One scope per identified trade. CSI MasterFormat division tag, inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, qualifications.
Every line in every section traces to a spec reference (section number, paragraph). Lets the PM verify and the estimator defend.
Where the spec implies coordination requirements (e.g., "electrical to coordinate with framing rough-in"), the engine surfaces it as a coordination note.
Where the spec is silent, the engine writes the assumption and tags it for confirmation rather than treating it as a fact.
Visual checklist of CSI divisions the spec touches and the trades the engine generated scopes for. Quick scan for missing trades.
Confirmation that each trade scope saved to the scopes table for downstream RFQ Generator consumption.
Every control, explained
Run buildConsumes one run. 20–40 seconds.
Trade hintSteer the engine to focus on specific trades. Useful when you only need one or two scopes.
Project typeCommercial / institutional / industrial / residential. Helps the engine tune scope language to industry norms.
Edit scope sectionIn-place edit on any inclusion, exclusion, assumption, or qualification.
Override CSI divisionCorrect the division mapping if the engine misclassified the trade.
Confirm assumptionMarks an assumption as verified, promoting it to a confirmed inclusion or exclusion.
Save ScopesPersists every trade scope to the scopes table.
Chain to RFQ GeneratorOpens RFQ Generator pre-loaded with the persisted scope for the selected trade.