CSI’s MasterFormat® is the standard for organizing work results–based information for building projects. In CDT study materials and CSI practice guides, its primary purpose is described as providing a uniform, consistent structure for organizing and retrieving information in:
Project manuals (specifications)
Related documents such as cost information, product literature, and some facility management data
MasterFormat does this by dividing the work into Divisions and Sections with standardized titles and numbers so that everyone (owner, A/E, contractor, suppliers) can find information in the same place across different projects. That is exactly what Option D states.
Why the others are incorrect:
A. Master list of Level 3 and Level 4 section titles – MasterFormat includes level 3 and level 4 titles, but listing those is a means to the end, not the primary purpose.
B. Organize cost estimates by major project element – That is closer to the stated use of UniFormat®, which organizes by systems and assemblies rather than work results.
C. Establish order of information within specification sections – That is the role of SectionFormat™ and PageFormat™, not MasterFormat.
Relevant CSI references (no links):
CSI MasterFormat® Introduction and User Guide – purpose and scope statements.
CSI Construction Specifications Practice Guide – chapter on organizing specifications with MasterFormat, SectionFormat, and PageFormat.
CSI CDT Study Materials – section on “Organizing Project Manuals.”
