Friday, 1 February 2008

In my research I noticed engineers doing lots of coordination in which technical knowledge is inextricably bound up with “soft skills” and understanding of human behaviour. It is time-consuming and most don’t see it as engineering work. After countless phone calls chasing up suppliers, contractors, colleagues and clients an engineer would often say something like “now I can get down to some real engineering work at last!” Yet this coordination is essential to get results.

Technical coordination is working with, and influencing other people so they willingly and conscientiously perform some necessary work to an agreed schedule. It mostly seems to work without any formal authority, seeking willing cooperation instead. It may be simply asking a colleague to search for data or persuading a client to sign off on design specifications or chasing up a contractor to supply some component samples.
Our research is revealing that engineering practice consists of two intertwined threads. The first is largely intellectual: understanding social needs, and then conceiving solutions and predicting how well they will work. Prediction has to be as accurate as possible, on technical, commercial, environmental, safety and timescale issues. Prediction relies heavily on engineering science: about the only part taught extensively at universities. The other thread is practical: delivering solutions that match the predictions. This has to be done almost completely through the hands of other people: artisans, labourers, contractors and suppliers.

The project web site has more details including information about a symposium that will present findings - Engineering the Future: Beyond the Boom. Please visit the website .

The author and his colleagues have been researching engineering practice, the actual work that engineers perform in their jobs. Readers are invited to contribute their own experiences and stories on technical coordination. Stories about learning experiences, methods that have worked really well, even disasters will help contribute to this unique research project. E-mail: James Trevelyan .

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