What is a Primary Specification?
A Primary Specification contains the comprehensive specification information for an item and is used internally. Suppliers do not see Primary Specifications. Instead, supplier collaboration uses Shared Specifications, which allow you to control the information shared with suppliers.
Primary Specification Templates define the structure and information captured in your Primary Specifications.
Create a Primary Specification Template
Before creating a template, consider the information you need to collect and how you want to organize it. Primary Specification Templates are configured using attributes and TraceStations.
1. Prepare your attributes
Make sure the attributes you need for your specifications are available.
If you need to create an attribute:
- Go to Configuration > Attributes.
- Select New.
- Select Specification Management for Use.
- Configure and save the attribute.
Attributes created for Specification Management include the _SpecMgmt suffix.
If your specifications require approvals or sign-offs, you'll also need an attribute for capturing those events, such as Specification Approvals or Sign-Offs.
Events that might need a sign-off
Depending on your organization's review process, Business Rule values for your approval or sign-off attribute might include:
| Draft | Draft - In Process | Waiting on R&D Review |
| Placed on Hold by R&D | Returned to Originator | Waiting on QA Review |
| Placed on Hold by QA | Ready to Release to Supplier for Approval | Released to Supplier |
| In Process with Supplier | Approved and Returned from Supplier | Ready for Publication |
| Declined by Supplier | Rejected by QA | Rejected by R&D |
| Return to Originator by QA | Return to Originator by R&D | Supplier Approved Specification |
These are examples. The approval events you use should reflect your organization's specification review process.
2. Create the TraceStation
Go to Configuration > TraceStations, then select New.
Enter the applicable information, including:
- Name
- View Name
- Description, if applicable
- Specification Type
Then save the TraceStation.
Tip: You can also use Copy to create a new template from an existing TraceStation and modify it as needed.
3. Organize the template
Add sections to organize related specification information. For example, you might create sections for:
- Identification
- Physical
- Chemical
- Certifications
- Business Information
- Approvals
Add the appropriate attributes to each section. You can also organize sections based on the departments or teams responsible for reviewing the information.
4. Configure approvals
If your specifications require internal review, include an Approvals section with the appropriate approval or sign-off attributes.
Each approval event can be represented by a Business Rule in your approval attribute.
Business Rule lists on TraceStation attributes are available on the resulting specification rather than while configuring the template.
5. Add a PDF header and footer
You can add header and footer attributes to customize information displayed on specification PDFs, including logos and formatted content.
For detailed instructions, see PDF Header and Footer Attributes.
6. Save the template
Review the sections and attributes included in your template, then select Save.
Once the template is ready, you can use it to create Primary Specifications for your items.
Next steps
See Create a New Specification to create and complete a Primary Specification.