the session was the way complexity gradually grows over time. Many specifications have evolved through years of additions and modifications. A safety incident may lead to a new requirement. A supply chain disruption may prompt a substitute component. A technological advancement may introduce a new feature.
Individually, each change makes sense. Collectively, however, they can
Instead of focusing solely on what was written in a specification, customers and manufacturers began discussing what outcomes they were trying to achieve. produce specifications that have become layered and fragmented. Rather than periodically stepping back and reviewing requirements holistically, fleets often continue adding new elements to existing documents. The result can be a collection of requirements that does not always reflect current operational needs.
The panel participants discussed how many specification requirements were originally developed for valid reasons, but those reasons may no longer exist, and outdated requirements often remain embedded in specifications. In addition, manufacturing processes change, technology advances and new products become available.
The manufacturers went on to emphasize the value of regularly asking“ Why is this still in the specification?” That question, they said, can reveal opportunities to eliminate outdated requirements, streamline equipment designs and reduce unnecessary costs.
Turning Point The discussion highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic as a
Built from established designs, configured-to-order vehicles such as this Altec unit are generally easier and faster to manufacture because the engineering work has already been completed. major catalyst for change. Prior to the pandemic, manufacturers were largely expected to build equipment exactly as specified. Utilities generally assumed that if a requirement appeared on a specification, manufacturers would deliver it as requested.
COVID disrupted that model. Global supply chains were impacted by shortages of parts and components, making it impossible in many cases to deliver equipment exactly as specified. Manufacturers found themselves having difficult conversations with customers about alternative solutions, substitute components and revised configurations.
But these challenges also opened the door to new forms of collaboration. Instead of focusing solely on what was written in a specification, customers and manufacturers began discussing what outcomes they were trying to achieve.
The result was a shift in mindset. Rather than asking whether a specification could be fulfilled exactly as written, organizations increasingly explored whether different solutions could accomplish the same operational objective while reducing delays and improving equipment availability.
For many fleets, this experience demonstrated that flexibility could lead to positive outcomes. By considering alternative approaches, they were often able to receive equipment faster while still meeting their operational and safety requirements.
Configured vs. Engineered Orders
Another important topic involved the distinction between configured-to-order equipment and engineered-to-order equipment.
Configured-to-order products are built from pre-engineered components and established designs. While still allowing customization, they are generally easier and faster to manufacture because the engineering work has already been completed.
Engineered-to-order products, by contrast, require additional design, engineering, sourcing and validation. Manufacturers emphasized that they remain committed to building custom equipment and recognize that custom solutions are often necessary in the utility industry. However, greater customization inevitably affects lead times, production throughput and cost.
As utilities prepare for significant infrastructure expansion, understanding these differences becomes increasingly important. Every additional customization may introduce engineering work, sourcing challenges, production complexity and support requirements that extend throughout the life of the equipment.
The message was not to avoid customization, but to understand its consequences and make intentional decisions about where customization truly adds value.
Understanding Why Throughout the session, the panelists repeatedly returned to the importance
Fall 2026 | Telecom & Utility Construction 9