The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) recently launched a Vehicle Specification Process Guide as a free resource to the work truck industry.
The specification development process encompasses a systematic and defined set of interactions between various stakeholders, including the vehicle user, fleet team and supply chain (comprised of chassis OEMs, truck dealers, body and truck-mounted equipment companies, vehicle upfitters and fleet management companies).
“For today’s increasingly complex equipment, creating effective commercial vehicle specifications requires a multifaceted approach that involves input and participation from various stakeholders,” said George Survant, NTEA senior director of fleet relations. “NTEA’s new Vehicle Specification Process Guide outlines leading techniques that can help the industry navigate these complexities.
“This tool is designed to ensure a predictable and well-crafted final product each and every time.”
The guide:
- Identifies critical factors to be considered when creating or revising vehicle specifications
- Ensures alignment with the application and truck buyer needs/expectations
- Enhances vehicle productivity and safety
- Discusses new approaches to improving efficiency and effectiveness
- Provides guidance for determining optimal frequency of specification revision
- Offers common ground for stakeholders to see where their expertise relates to the process
- Includes links to relevant NTEA resources (i.e., Truck Equipment 101/201, Vehicle Life Cycle Cost Tool, and Vehicle Center of Gravity and Axle Weight Calculator)
Vehicle Specification Process Guide supports development of effective specifications, which provide the foundation for vehicle optimization with widely recognized virtues for managing overall costs and improving both reliability and user safety. In addition, it supports development of consistent specifications that provide for procurement efficiencies within the supply chain.
NTEA’s new specification guide is available to the industry for free. Association members can access the tool as an interactive ezine (member login required); nonmembers can request the guide in PDF format (fulfilled via email).
Learn more and access this resource at ntea.com/specguide. Contact NTEA’s team with questions at [email protected] or 800-441-6832.