How to Organize By UniFormat

How to Organize By UniFormat

To organize-by UniFormat, you need access to current, authoritative element codes and descriptions. Here's how to organize-by UniFormat properly.

How to Organize By UniFormat: Step-by-Step

1. Get Licensed Access — The Construction Standard is the authorized licensing authority for UniFormat, designated by CSI. Licensed access includes CSI Dynamic Standards (UniFormat as part of a connected, edition-aware system), the Standards Navigator (live lookup tool with search, cross-references, and edition tracking), and always-current data that reflects the latest CSI-approved classifications.

2. Use UniFormat in Your Work — The Standards Navigator shows you the complete UniFormat hierarchy, so you can organize cost models and design budgets by building elements.

3. Build Your Structure — The Standards Navigator lets you search by element code, group, or description keyword, browse the full UniFormat hierarchy, see edition history and what changed between editions, and cross-reference to MasterFormat and OmniClass.

Why Organize By UniFormat the Right Way Matters

Using UniFormat properly — with licensed, current data — matters because:

• Stale data causes errors — UniFormat is updated regularly by CSI; using outdated element codes causes specification errors, RFIs, and coordination failures
• Unauthorized use creates legal risk — UniFormat is proprietary intellectual property; using unauthorized copies violates CSI's rights and creates legal liability
• No cross-references — Licensed access through The Construction Standard includes governed crosswalks between UniFormat and the other CSI standards — something no unauthorized copy provides

Get Started

The Construction Standard provides licensed access to UniFormat through CSI Dynamic Standards. This is how to organize-by UniFormat the right way — with current, authorized, cross-referenced data.