The terms of reference are what? Concept and content. How to compile the terms of reference

Creation of the technical assignment is one of the first and extremely important stages of the majority of projects. A clear and well-written technical specification (TK) makes it possible to clarify the relationship between the customer and the performer, formulate requirements for the characteristics of the future facility, and also becomes the basis for verifying the work performed.

What is the terms of reference

The general definition of this term is as follows: the technical task is a special document developed by the customer and approved by the contractor, which sets out the requirements, parameters and main operational characteristics of the project, facility or system.

Among other things, this document may include a list of testing requirements (applicable to software development).

It is used in its work by builders, masters, performing repair work, programmers, designers and many other specialists.

The Terms of Reference is a document that is developed by a professional who is well versed in the specifics of a specific type of work. On how detailed the customer's expectations will be described, the success of the whole event depends. In other words, the technical task is an instruction for employees, which allows you to compare the final result with the planned one.

Peculiarities of technical assignment

Often the process of drafting instructions allows the customer to understand how he would like to see the completed project. This is due to the fact that the need to set specific goals stimulates it to explore the opportunities and limitations inherent in this type of activity. Many customers, realizing the lack of information, ignorance of professional terms and lack of special knowledge, prefer to hire a specialist to develop a technical assignment.

Paradoxically, this approach allows to achieve the most harmonious work, because everyone does what is good: the customer knows what he wants to receive as a result, the author of the technical assignment translates this information into the data understandable to the executor, and the master has the opportunity to work on a clear instruction .

Assignment of Terms of Reference

This documentation, terms of reference, performs an important function: it helps to resolve possible disputable situations. Having been stated in writing, the requirements for the project or scope of work become a reference point for both parties. The contractor has the right not to perform the work that is not specified in the technical assignment. For additional actions, you need a new instruction.

At the same time, the customer is protected from incomplete or incorrect execution of the task, since it can check its characteristics and parameters for each individual TK item.

As a rule, the finished product passes the verification, testing or testing phase. If its characteristics differ from those planned, it can be sent for revision or the contractor may be denied payment (this is stipulated when the terms of reference are drafted).

Composition of the terms of reference: requirements for functionality

All the requirements specified in the terms of reference can be classified by type and properties.

The majority of GOSTs becomes the sample of requirements of various kinds. They regulate the process of drawing up TK for construction of large facilities and other responsible works. They usually list such requirements:

• To the functional component.
• For security settings (for automatic systems and software).
• To the qualification level of specialists.
• To the appearance.
• To the materials used.

The list of requirements, grouped by species, is quite long, their diversity is determined by the different objectives of the projects.

Most often, the requirements regarding functionality are the core around which each technical task is developed. The system of other technical conditions and instructions becomes a kind of "camouflage", put on these requirements. If the main task is unsuccessfully formulated, even the best "camouflage" will not save the situation, and the project will fail.

Characteristics of requirements

Unlike many types of requirements, the properties for their characteristics are much smaller:

• Clarity.
• Concreteness.
• Testability.

The latter property can not be separated from the first two, since understandable and specific requirements can be embodied and tested. However, if there is no way to verify the result, then it can be argued that the requirements do not have one of the first two properties.

The Terms of Reference is not a technical project

There are many opinions as to what level of detail should be used in the development of technical assignments.

Sometimes it is made with the use of specific terms and a lot of nuances, understandable only by specialists. The disadvantage of this approach is that the customer, claiming this TK, does not fully understand what he will receive as a finished product. Therefore, the process of testing, checking and receiving work can be delayed, and the project is sent repeatedly for revision and improvement.

Supporters of another method insist that the draft Terms of Reference should be as simple and straightforward as possible. This document may include industry terminology that the customer understands, but it is not necessary to admit technical aspects related to the project implementation. In the field of software development, the business analyst is engaged in adapting customer requirements to points of technical assignment, but not the programmer (of course, if he does not fulfill the duties of both).

A technical project is called documentation, which details the procedure for implementing TOR points. Here, terms, abbreviations and professional concepts are simply necessary. They are not seen by the customer (these words can not be told about anything), the text is read by the master who will be engaged in the project, and he needs precise and specific data: dimensions, parameters, qualities, characteristics. The technical project is the architect of the system.

Technical specification structure

To facilitate the preparation and execution of the technical assignment, it is developed according to a specific system. As a rule, in the beginning, in the introductory part, they set out the purpose and purpose of the project. Then follows the enumeration of sections, requirements and their decoding. To understand what the TK looks like for an automated system, you can consider the structure recommended by GOST 34.602-89:

• Specify general information.
• Description of the purpose and purpose for the sake of achieving which is planned the creation or development of the system.
• Characteristics of objects subject to automation.
• Statement of requirements for the system.
• Composition and content of activities and works used to create the system.
• A description of how the creation control and acceptance procedure for the finished system should take place.
• List of requirements for the work that will be carried out with the object of automation for its preparation.
• The order of documentation.
• Specify the sources of development.

Such terms of reference (a sample of which contains a detailed description of all items) covers most aspects of the project, but can be supplemented with clarifying points if necessary.

Why make TK for room repair

The process of overhauling the interior is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. This is not only a change of wallpaper and painting of batteries, we are talking about fixing the broken geometry, removing architectural flaws, making adjustments to the layout, equipping and improving the rooms.

For this reason, the technical task for repairs becomes one of the most important stages, since it allows:

• In advance, think about the content of future work.
• Make a detailed estimate, as well as identify opportunities for savings.
• To achieve maximum clarity regarding the desired result for all participants in the process (customer, contractor, performer).

As in the example with technical task for automation of systems, the intermediary between the customer and the performing artists is the technical task. Implementation of activities for the implementation of planned work is carried out on the basis of a technical project, it is developed on the points of TK.

Which items include technical specifications for room repair

To repair each room is a unique technical task. A sample of the most common structure of this document is given below.

1. Name and purpose of the room. This is necessary, since the specificity of the premises requires certain rules to be observed when it is designed (living room, bedroom, office).

2. Characteristics of the floor: the amount of work that needs to be done on this site. Here you can specify in detail what it is necessary to perform the wizards:

• Dismantle the worn out coating, plinths and rough floors (type and quadrature).
• Apply an evening, separating screed and thermal insulation (area and height of materials).
• If necessary, install a "warm floor" system (type and height of the structure).
• To put a coupler over heating cables (about 30-50 mm).
• Prepare the surface for laying tiles, laminate, carpet or other material (the nature of the arrangement of elements).
• Install plinth (indicate the number of running meters, as well as all internal and external corners).

3. Work with the ceiling:

• Clear from whitewash or wallpaper (area in square meters).
• Align with putty (area).
• Apply plaster (square and average thickness).
• If you want to install a ceiling from gypsum board, you need to specify its type, quadrature and height. For multilevel models, a drawing is required.
• Putty and paint the ceiling (area, color).

4. What needs to be done with the walls:

• Clear from the previous layer of wallpaper or other coating (area).
• Fight off the plaster.
• Plaster the walls (with or without reinforcement). Here you need to specify not only the overall quadrature of the walls, but also the thickness of the layer. The length of the slopes used is driven in running meters.
• Putty the walls.
• Indicate how many external corners are in the room so that the length of the perforated corner can be counted.

5. Window Options:

• Specify the manufacturer.
• Provide information on the type of profile, accessories, insulating glass, windowsill. Describe whether there will be a profile profile and a mosquito net, attach a drawing with dimensions. For better performance of work, it is better to create a separate technical task for ordering a window.

6. Door Features:

• Describe the parameters of the door, the manufacturer, the materials used (including the accessories), the type of box, casing and hinges.
• Separately, the need to change the size of the doorway (increase, decrease, displacement) with the size and list of works.

7. Work with electrical networks:

• List of works (installation, replacement, transfer of outlets and switches).
• Necessity of laying telephone or Internet cables.
• Attach a diagram.

8. Measures for the installation of heating systems and air conditioners:

• Installation, transfer, replacement or simply painting the heater.
• Dismantling of the traditional device and installation of the system "warm floors".
• Indicate the location of the air conditioner and the route on the diagram. Clarify how his power is supplied from the mains.

Is it necessary to examine the premises before drawing up a technical assignment for repairs

All specialists agree that the examination of the room is a mandatory stage in the preparation of TK for its repair. At the same time, the procedure should be carried out not only prior to the development of the technical task, but also in the process of drafting.

The main task of this event is getting information about the condition of the room and a more accurate description of the upcoming repairs.

When examining the room, pay attention to the main parameters and perform the following actions:

• Check the geometry is correct.
• Learn the horizontal nature of the ceiling (whether there are slopes, swings). This helps determine the type of finish and gives an idea of the future height of the room.
• Verify the verticality of the walls and the correctness of the corners. If you need to align them, the masters should know what materials to apply and how many they need to be purchased.
• Checking the horizontal nature of the floor. Often the floors have to be completely changed (especially if the heating system is installed underneath them), therefore it is necessary to determine in advance the amount of work.

To avoid ambiguity and to provide for all possible nuances, during the survey, the floor is disassembled in several places and draws conclusions from what has been seen.

The data obtained as a result of the survey is compared with the design, type of finishing materials and preparatory works that are necessary for their installation.

This information allows you to assess the level of labor and financial costs. The project specification should contain drawings of future works.

The stated sample of the technical task of the work on the repair of the room is not typical. Depending on the amount of work, it can look completely different, be shorter or include more detailed data.