Here you will learn how to use basic features of the Standard Work Specifications Tool, including how to navigate, print, email, save to Favorites, and how to create a Quality Control Checklist.
- How to navigate
- How to comment
- How to print a detail
- How to copy a detail to Excel
- How to email a detail
- How to add a detail to your Favorites
- How to view your Favorites
- How to create a new list of Favorites
- How to add a Favorite to another list
- How to remove a detail from your Favorites
- How to print your Favorites
- How to copy your Favorites to Excel
- How to email your Favorites
- How to create a Quality Control Checklist from your Favorites
How to Navigate the Standard Work Specifications Tool
To find a specification or a group of specifications in a table--which is called a detail--scroll over each section in the horizontal bar at the top of the page to view and select the topics and subtopics contained in each section. After you choose a topic or subtopic, you have the option to explore the content using a left-hand index. Here, topics and subtopics can be expanded to view the individual details they contain. Once you select a detail, you can view the desired outcome, the corresponding housing type, and the relevant specifications and objectives.
You also have the option of searching for specifications using the search bar located at the top right-hand corner of the page.
For more information on how the specifications are displayed and organized, please refer to Section 1: Using the Standard Work Specifications.
How to Comment
To comment on the SWS, users will first need to log into the SWS Online Tool and navigate to the desired specification (Please note: the comment option will not be visible if you are not logged in). Users will then be able to leave a comment or a question by selecting the Comment button. Once submitted, that comment will be held for review. Under the My Account link in the top right menu, users will be able to review all of the comments they have made.
If you would like to leave a general comment, suggest new content, or comment on an existing redline document, please select the Comment button on the Contact Us form.
Learn more about the SWS maintenance and review process here.
How to Print a Detail
Once you select a particular detail, you can choose to print selected specifications or all specifications within that detail. To do so, check the specifications you would like to print, or choose the Select All function. After making your selection, click the Print function. This action will show you a preview of what will be printed. To print, right click on your mouse and choose print.
How to Copy a Detail to Excel
Once you select a particular detail, you can choose to copy selected specifications or all specifications in that detail to Excel. To do so, check the specifications you would like to copy, or choose the Select All function. Once the selection has been made, click on the Copy to Excel function. Open a new or existing Excel document. Click on an empty cell and then select Edit > Paste. Adjust the size of the columns/rows accordingly.
How to Email a Detail
Once you select a particular detail, you can choose to email selected specifications or all specifications in that detail. To do so, check the specifications you would like to email, or choose the Select All function. Once the selection has been made, click on the Email function and enter the required information on the following screen. To complete this action, press Send. Please note: you must be logged in to send an email.
How to Add a Detail to your Favorites
In order to create and manage a list of Favorites, you must first create a user account and sign in. This can be done by selecting the Sign In option in the top right universal menu. If you are a returning user, you can simply log in. If you are a new user, you should choose Create an Account and enter the requested information. Once signed in, you can then add a detail to your Favorites list by selecting the Favorite button from the detail page. You will then be prompted to add the detail to an uncategorized list, or to an existing list.
How to View your Favorites
In order to view your list of Favorites, select the My Account link in the top right menu.
How to Create a New List of Favorites
To create a new list of Favorites (e.g., for a particular address), go to My Favorites and then select + New Group. You will be prompted to name this list of Favorites. You may re-name this list at any time by selecting the pencil/paper icon displayed next to the name of that list. You may delete a list by selecting the trash can icon.
How to Add a Favorite to Another List
To add a Favorite to another list, simply click the blue star next to it, and check the list you would like to add it to.
How to Remove a Detail from your Favorites
To remove a detail from a list of Favorites, simply click the blue star next to it, and un-check the appropriate list. If you accidentally click on a blue star, you can click on it again to re-add that detail to your Favorites.
How to Print your Favorites
To print selected details from your Favorites, check the specifications you would like to print, or check the top box to select all. Once the selection has been made, click on the Print function. This action will show you a preview of what will be printed. To print, right click on your mouse and choose print.
How to Copy your Favorites to Excel
To copy selected details from your Favorites to Excel, check the specifications you would like to copy, or check the top box to select all. Once the selection has been made, click on the Copy to Excel function. Open a new or existing Excel document. Click on an empty cell and then select Edit > Paste. Adjust the size of the columns/rows accordingly.
How to Email your Favorites
To email selected details from your Favorites, check the specifications you would like to email, or check the top box to select all. Once the selection has been made, click on the Email function and enter the required information on the following screen. To complete this action, press send.
How to Create a Quality Control Checklist from your Favorites
In order to create a Quality Control Checklist, you’ll want to save all applicable details to a single list of Favorites. Once your list is complete, you’ll want to check the checkbox next to the name of that list of Favorites and then choose the Print option. 
On the next screen, you’ll want to select the Create Quality Control Checklist at the top of the page. This will convert your list of Favorites into a Quality Control Checklist. You can then right click on this content, select Print…and Save as PDF and then select the destination for where you would like to save this file.
