I never expect the engineers and architects to know anything about project specification development.
I was just helping a new guy with a very simple piping project. I asked him what kind of pipe did he want to use. All he knew based on the info given to him was 1" Stainless S40.
He started to cry a little bit when I intoduced him to ASTM A312, ANSI/ASME B36.19, B16.5, B16.9, B16.11, B31.3,...
Then the internal specifications, for cleaning threading lubricants, lateral expansion requirements for cryogenic service, county of origin,... Some specific editions called out by year, some by "most current".
Oh, yeah, don't forget documentation of products acquired to any and all of the above.
Then I told him, you have about 40% of purchasing the stuff done, where are you on design and inspection?
He was crying quite a lot at this point, and I didn't even talk about welding paperwork.
Ahh well, live and learn, that's what I had to do