In order to assist its clients and consultants with the transition, the firm is scheduling a series of training sessions on implementing MasterFormat 2004. It foresees three 3-hour training sessions beginning in the spring, facilitated by Dennis Hall. They will be accredited with continuing education credits.

Already the office has produced several project manuals using the new structure with great success. In one instance, the firm worked with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to produce a master guide specification using MasterFormat 2004, which is required on all BART projects.

CSI is launching an industry wide education initiative to support the transition to the new edition. Two types of programs will be offered for MasterFormat users and prospective instructors. For users, CSI will provide Customized Education Programs for groups at architectural, engineering and construction firms, government agencies, corporations, and national conferences. Sessions will address the differences between the 1995 and 2004 editions, best-practice concepts for the new edition, the use of its section and transition strategies.

The MasterFormat Accredited Instructor Program, to be launched at the 49th Annual CSI Show & Convention in Chicago, April 20−23, 2005, will prepare people from various segments of the industry to teach others about MasterFormat's 2004 edition. Using CSI-supplied materials, accredited instructors will conduct education tailored to the needs of their particular constituencies, including architects, specialty contractors, product suppliers, owners, and others. Plans call for holding this program several times during 2005 after the initial session at CSI's convention.

Another CSI member education program, now downloadable from the Chapters section of CSI's website (www.csinet.org/masterformateducation) is available to provide people at their local chapter meetings an overview of MasterFormat's new edition.

Interested parties wanting to discuss implementation issues or providing input for future enhancements, are encouraged to go towww.csinet.org/masterformat, where there is information on MasterFormat and a discussion area. If people have any difficulty accessing the web site, they should contact CSI'S Member Services Center at 800-689-2900 orcsi@csinet.org.