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Lesson 2 of 7 · 10-minute exercise

Write, open and track an RFI

Goal: Write one clear RFI, open it, and know who has to act next at every stage.

An RFI is a formal question about the contract documents. A good one names the element and the location, cites the sheet and spec section, and proposes an answer the designer can accept.

In the app each RFI has an RFI manager, assignees who owe the answer and a distribution list. Ball in court is worked out from the RFI’s state, so the log always shows who is holding it up.

Who has the ball on an RFIDraft, then Open, no response, then Response added, then Official response, then Closed. Passed back: from Response added back to Open, no response.Passed backDraftBall in court: the creatorOpen, no responseBall in court: the assigneesResponse addedBall in court: the RFI managerOfficial responseMarked on the answer that settles itClosedClosed date recorded
  1. DraftBall in court: the creator
  2. Open, no responseBall in court: the assignees
  3. Response addedBall in court: the RFI managerPassed back: back to “Open, no response”
  4. Official responseMarked on the answer that settles it
  5. ClosedClosed date recorded
Who has the ball on an RFI
Text version
  1. Draft: Ball in court: the creator
  2. Open, no response: Ball in court: the assignees
  3. Response added: Ball in court: the RFI manager
  4. Official response: Marked on the answer that settles it
  5. Closed: Closed date recorded

Passed back: from “Response added” back to “Open, no response”.

Hands-on · about 10 minutes · sample project

Exercise

  1. Open RFIs and then RFI-212. Read the question, the ball in court and the change event linked to it.
  2. Click Create. Write a subject that names the element and the location, and a question that asks for one specific answer.
  3. Set yourself as RFI manager, pick an assignee from the sample team, and set a due date.
  4. Click Create as Draft. Check the saved question on the detail page.
  5. Click Open RFI and confirm the status changed to Open and the ball in court moved to the assignee.
  6. Click Export PDF to see what you would send.
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Watch the walkthrough · 1:57

Create a draft RFI and open it

Play video: Create a draft RFI and open it.Loads from YouTube when played
  1. 0:00Start a new request for information
  2. 0:27Give the RFI a clear subject
  3. 0:59Write the question
  4. 1:15Save the draft
  5. 1:28Review the saved question
  6. 1:43Open the RFI
Read the transcript

Here we are in the actual os.construction app, using a local sample project. On the New RFI page, we can prepare a question and save it as a draft before opening it.

Use a subject that tells the reviewer what needs clarification. In this example, we are asking about the corridor fire damper detail. The demo adds a unique reference so each recording creates a separate sample record.

State the decision the team needs. Our question asks the reviewer to confirm the required fire damper detail before installation and identify which detail the field team should follow.

Select Create as Draft. The app saves the RFI and opens its detail page. We will check that the Open RFI action is available before moving forward.

The saved record now has its own detail page. Review the subject and question here. A draft gives the team a chance to check the request before opening it.

Select Open RFI. Wait for the Open RFI action to disappear after the update. Close RFI remains available. We have written a request, saved it as a draft, reviewed it, and moved it into the open workflow.

Video page with chaptersStep-by-step guideMore in RFIs & submittals

In the app

The New RFI form with a subject and a question asking which fire damper detail to follow.
A subject that names the element, and one question. Sample data, recorded in the app.
The RFI after opening, with Open status, an assigned number, and Close RFI available.
After Open RFI: status Open and the next actions on the record.

Check your work

Tick each step you finished

Progress is saved in this browser only.

Self-check

Who has the ball on a draft RFI?

The creator. It moves to the assignees when the RFI is opened, and to the RFI manager once a response comes in.

Why save as a draft first?

So the question can be checked before anyone is asked to answer it. A draft can be opened later with Open RFI.

What does “official response” mean?

The answer that settles the question. It is highlighted on the RFI and in the PDF.

Use it on your own job

Open file