To Engineer is Human [Henry Petroski]

"...a failed structure provides a counterexample to a hypothesis and shows us incontrovertibly what cannot be done, while a structure that stands without incident often conceals whatever lessons or caveats it might hold for the next generation of engineers." Henry Petroski. Professor of Civil Engineering and History.

25 Years ago, the BBC in partnership with Henry Petroski released an hour long engaging documentary on engineering and engineers.

It's a Catastrophe

With the re-launch date of our blog looming, we are feeling confident enough to forewarn you of the up and coming opportunity to win a free gift.

The first 50 visitors to subscribe to our blog 'Starting Up an Engine[er]' will receive a 'trumps' style card game.

The game pits historic construction and engineering disasters against one another. You may well recognise the examples as some of the ones we featured on our highly successful #EpicFAILS blog posts several months ago.

Have a great weekend and watch out for our weekly blog post this weekend.

We are still trying to decide whether to first wait for the result of the England game or not.... #Euros2012


Engine[er]

Guilt Saves Lives [and money]

Approximately 10 years ago my world fell through the floor in an instant.

I had just finished designing a new foundations scheme for a big property developer, it was my first completely unaided design project.

Just as I was about to turn the calculations over [Scheme A] to a checking Engineer, I decided to pull out a similar previous scheme [Scheme B] as a control subject. I needed to do this as I was still a design rookie. A quick investigation to see if the loads were similar - that's all I needed to do.

The two housing schemes were practically identical, apart from Scheme B's foundations [already built] were constructed from piled ground beams.

First glances told me that I may have been a bit conservative during the design of my first unaided design project. Infact the pudding seemed to have been over egged by as much as 100%!

Returning to my calculations I worked my way through them once more, and could't seem to justify any load reductions. Confusion set in.

It was then that I took the rather hard decision to review the mature scheme.  They were calculations which I had originally carried out, and once I thoroughly reviewed them, it was at that point in time my whole world came crashing down around me.

Essentially I had forgotten to multiply the floor loads by 2, as the foundation I was checking was on a party wall line. The 4-storey terraced home was already built, sold and no doubt families would be moving in soon.

What happened afterwards was one of the most uncomfortable conversations that I had ever had to have with another Engineer, my boss at the time.

Due to making that mistake, an obvious advantage to experiencing such hell was born. Since then, I have had the opportunity to 'save' many other Engineers from making that same mistake in their calculations. As it turns out, it is easily done and one of the very first things that I look at.

"Experience is simply the name we give to making mistakes" Oscar Wilde.

Still to this very day I feel pangs of guilt [controlled guilt] for what happened many years ago. But why?

Guilt is and incredibly difficult emotion to understand. Psychologists appear to be divided on how or why we evolved to feel guilty. The general consensus is that this destructive and stressful emotion helps balance our future interactions in our social circles.

All I know is that it is a persistent feeling which never seems to give up its host. The powerful negativity drives a massive change to behaviour and just like tooth ache, you never want to feel that pain ever again - if you can help it, that is.

Amongst many others, Dr David M.Amodio of the University of New York, and his team of researchers Patricia G.Devine and Eddie Harman-Jones studied the affects of what guilt has upon our psychology.

There was a theory being banded around by researchers that the punitive feeling of guilt may keep you from repeating the same transgressions of behaviour into the future, which psychologists call "withdrawal motivation."

Some researchers view guilt in a strictly societal context, in that; it keeps people's behavior in line with the moral standards of their community. This is a more positive emotional experience and is associated with "approach motivation."

What Dr Amodio believed was that guilt is initially associated with withdrawal motivation, which then transforms into approach-motivated behavior when an opportunity for reparation presents itself.

From painful experience, I can empathise with Dr Amodio and his researchers beliefs.

It would appear that we as Engineers need this deminutive emotion to help prevent us from re-enacting the same mistakes time and time again.

So next time, when it is presented to you that repeating the same mistakes is a bad thing, you will be able to associate this with the painful state of feeling guilty.

As it turns out, by tapping directly into this dark emotion and nurturing your feelings of guilt, you are not only saving lives and your bosses money, but you are attenuating the spectre of stress. Which could also be saving you from stress related health issues.

Guilt and feeling responsible for ones actions is as essential to the life of an Engineer, as 'the force' is to a Jedi Knight. Without it you are as normal as everybody else [Bantha fodder]. But with it, you can balance and protect society. Neat.



Engine[er]

PS. Links to be attached later

What Engineers Want [Part One]

[update - vote on the poll adjacent >>>]


The question of wages and status for engineers has long been a contentious issue. The debate has flowed as calmly as white water rapids down a canyon for as long as I can remember. Yet, a surprising amount of placid pools containing self assured and confident Engineering practitioners spring up from time to time. They also appear to be heavily confused by the other Engineers indignation. This is not just a mere remainder of indignant Engineers either, but a massive slice of them!

The value that society places on us is nowhere near the liability that we take on. An anonymous contributor to the engineering group discussion.

So why does such an intelligent, resourceful and clearly motivated group of Structural/Civil Engineers find it so compelling to only voice their opinions, and not act upon their desires or needs?

Is it not enough to remind everyone that when a poll returns a result which demonstrates a vast majority [90%] of our industry colleagues voting "no, we are not happy with our status, no we are not happy with our wages", then are we not obligated to do something, anything, to make it right? Even if you voted YES?!

Those of us who believe that we are being fairly remunerated, also think that it doesn't matter whether we believe that we need more respect or not. Their point is that we do not have the power to change a market place, and since our wages and status are governed by this insidious power - then why waste time and energy by bothering to talk about it. 

Rates are based on the old saying of supply and demand. As the construction industry has slowed, the demand of engineers has also fallen. We need to look at how we can also make a difference to improving our economy, or move to more lucrative pastures. An anonymous contributor to the engineering group discussion.


Some quite polarised views. What is happening here?

I would say that there has always been a smaller, dwindling number of us willing to work harder at our individual problems. Dealing effectively with life's little challenges, tending to always come out on top - managing to look after ourselves and prosper. They wish to be independent, and not too heavily reliant upon anyone else. [key to collaboration] It stands to reason that they will not be too heavily influenced by what lies outside their sphere of influence. Even if this involves the industry in which they belong... unless it is of benefit to them.

This same phenomenon exists in every field of play. Whether it be business, finance, architecture or engineering.

I am not surprised but I don't get it! Why are they unhappy? Because they aren't respected and paid as much as a lawyer?? Simple; if that's what floats your boat become a Lawyer! An anonymous contributor to the engineering group discussion.

Not the most sympathetic of responses, but a very compelling statement to the fact that we all have choices to make in life. So choose.

Engineers are vital to the day to day operation as well as the future vitally of our nation, but so to are plumbers and Doctors. We all have our role to play. A few are destined to lead but the majority are destined to play a more supportive role. That's life. An anonymous contributor to the engineering group discussion.

The riddle of why 90% of us still believe so adamantly that we are being exploited could very well be linked to our training. Some of us feel that we have no choice. We feel that our love for our profession was not simply foisted upon us! It chose us. Engineering is our vocation in life.

Still, this does not explain why we have as individuals and groups, relinquished so much control to our professional bodies and employers? It is illogical, is it not? Are we so hooked on our need to engineer and design, that we are willing to simply exist up and until retirement - the eternal whipping boys of the construction industry?

No, because not all of us do this. Some of us give up structural engineering. Perhaps taking up another parallel career path [project management, contract administrator, health and safety exec] which serves as pure voyeuristic torture. Forcing ourselves to watch 'real' engineers work on projects, getting all the kicks. In both senses of the word.

There is more going on here than meets the eye. 

A tradition of sharing rather than hoarding knowledge creates a level playing field in terms of technology and scientific knowledge, and so differentiation on quality is difficult (although clearly not impossible). Enhancing our remuneration can only come from tilting the playing field (e.g. through innovation) or from altering the market to reduce competition. The value we provide to society is irrelevant. An anonymous contributor to the engineering group discussion.

I will leave the post here for another day and conclude my findings for my #FridayBlog.

If anything here made you think and you would like some questions answered, then please leave comments. I will try to answer them before I write my concluding piece. 

Engine[er]

Perfectionism is dead, long live Persistence

This post is meant to be a follow up to a critique which I made of the blog post "7 Reasons why Perfection is a barrier to your Success".

I was not entirely satisfied with the points made by the writer and added my own spin to them - from an Engineers point of view. I wish to expand upon my comments slightly and add into the mix this statement;

"Perfectionism is dead, long live Persistence"

What is does a Perfectionist look like?

Persistence conjures up a rather different vision to that of perfection. So when you imagine a perfectionist, who do you think of? Possibly, you may be remembering that 'perfect' school kid which you shared a few classes with when you were a child. I wonder how successful he or she became? Or you may remember those conversations which you overheard from grown ups about how little Harry or Harriet is perfect in everything that they do. He or she will achieve huge success and the World is her or his oyster. Please feel free to imagine here - it is important to visualise what it is that you are chasing - that perfect result. 

What does a Persistent person look like?

Persistence, this conjures up a slightly duller, and less sexy image. These were the kids at school who were better then average, still managing to maintain a balanced existence. Perhaps in or on the verge of many school teams, from chess through to rugby - everyone knew them by their sheer disdain for the fact that they were never going to quite be the best, yet they tried anyway. You know of these boys and girls. They didn't grab all the achievements, but they got the merit awards, 'A' for effort, and their heads scruffed up for trying their best.

Both of these are paths to success, yet possibly only one is truly admired. Which one is it for you?

I do not think that they are too dissimilar in their potential outcomes. The more sexier 'profectionist' path conjures up an image of a golden boy/girl, where everything they touch turns to gold, a virtuoso. They have this incredible talent, and preside over always being at the right place at the right time. Cynically, these 'perfect people' are assumed to get the lions share of breaks in life, and that their success is in fact, inevitable.  That's a lot of pressure I say.

The less attractive path, the one of consistency, doggedness and hard-work... well, it's not as an enviable existence as the former. Yet I believe that they are the same traits of an identical mindset - from different points of view and stages of development. Goal chasing dreamers.

For some of us, perfectionism comes at a cost. Blood, sweat and tears. No! For all of us, attainment of our goals [even those set by our tutors/parents/mentors] can be hard work, it involves sacrifice and actually doing something! We just don't like to admit it. We much prefer to say that 'they' were built that way, and 'they' had all the advantages. So, why do we think this way? 

Just because we have not found a cause yet or a 'why', which truly inspires us to concentrate our mind, body and soul on. Those who chase a dream, a vision and are willing to commit to the journey, may not find what it is that they are looking for, but they will learn a great deal from going through this process. That process of learning is lost to those who fall at the first hurdle or three. 

I do not think that it is healthy to deal far too much in the technical nature of our work as Engineers - this is not the way to absolute professional freedom. It is essential that we practice and develop our skills as per our work dictates or our Institutions recommends, but it is as equally important to realise that there comes a time when you have to let go, trust in your experience and stay relevant. Perfectionism of technical ability is a trap which we must avoid.

I refer you to a great post by Seth Godin [the self truth, and the best violinist in the world]

Seth explains that the quest to be the technical best is an excuse. He says it’s a form of hiding from others and the marketplace because while you’re constantly refining your craft, you resist putting effort towards making real art and real connections. You’re not pushing the boundaries of what you can do and extending yourself. Instead, you waste time and energy staying inside the lines trying to conform and think this behavior will put your skills in high demand. [as taken from here, the perfectionism effect].

I began writing this post by wanting to tease out the meaning of perfectionism so that perhaps we can avoid it at all costs, because it is a terminal state of fulfilment. Perfection is an obstacle to continued personal innovation and creativity. I have duly learned that this term could possibly be just a label, which is slapped on those who we wish to aspire to. So therefore it will always have meaning for us both professionally and personally. One version of perfection is an idol, envisaged by their followers to be perfect. Another more dangerous version of perfection is one which you assign to yourself. 

We all like to be thought of as 'perfect' in our own right. Right?

Should you decide to pick a subject matter, a sport, a career and strive to be perfect at it, then you are doomed to failure. 

Should you pick one of the above and strive to be the very best at it... well now you are thinking differently. Pitting yourself up against a very real and tangible target can advance your learning and knowledge in a big way. Tough competition represents a route of accelerated learning, use it to catapult yourself into a new specialism. One where you can define the field and set the rules. Use this goal as a tool to get you where you need to be in your career and life.

Thus I have decided that in my mind, perfectionism needs a re-booting. During this post I have discussed that persistence and consistency are also a routes to success, and that there is a misunderstanding here, as to what perfection is. I say that you cannot proceed closer to your goals than those of us who choose to understand ourselves completely, and what it is that we want out of our 'doings'.

You are given a goal, you practice hard, you practice harder, then you improve upon those newly acquired skills. You eventually have the appearance of being highly skilled, of being a perfectionist, and you achieve success. Outwardly you make it all look too easy. So hard-work and persistence IS perfection. Perfection that is, in the eyes of outsiders, looking in.

"Perfectionism is dead, long live Perfectionism [persistence/consistence/concentration/understanding]"


Engine[er]

One Million Pounds

"So why do we feel the need to 'bribe' people to get them into engineering these days?" Channel 4 Interviewer on the announced one million pound prize for engineering. [video here]

This week, Lord Browne [President of the Royal Academy of Engineering], with the backing from the Prime Minister amongst others announced on behalf of the Queen, that there was to be a new worldwide prize for engineering. The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering.

The hope is that this prize will stimulate growth and innovation within the engineering industry, the world over. It has also been debated for many years as to why engineering has not had a prestigious Nobel Prize award to aspire to like many other scientific, medical and artistic professions have. Unofficially, the Royal Academy of Engineering - had hoped that our UK based engineering prize, the MacRobert Award would fill that particular gap. For the last 43 years, many accomplished and diverse engineering companies have been nominated for and won the 'Gold Medal', including Microsoft Research in Cambridge for creating what essentially became a biometrics systems which led to the invention of X-Box 360's Kinect. The MacRobert Award may not have become the worldwide Nobel Prize which it was hoped for, but it has delivered to the UK engineering a supreme level of excellence to shoot for. [much cap doffing]

Now, you will be excused for not knowing much at all about those awards, or even the 10 other  prizes which are awarded each year to promote engineering in the UK and worldwide. That is of course unless you have been employed at a managerial level in a large engineering firm, or brushed shoulders with some of the industries elite in the UK - then you may have not considered winning one of theses awards as an achievable goal in your life-time.

So why have them?

For our Channel 4 interviewer mentioned already, this would have been a very pertinent [but stupid] question. Why are we creating a new prize just so that the UK can bribe people into becoming engineers? What's that about?

I do not believe this is why we need these awards. It is important to establish a competitive field amongst our engineering elite. They can then strive to push each other hard, and provide a platform from which we all can celebrate in their innovative success.

It's imperative that we continue to raise awareness of the advances in engineering made by our own country, so that we can go on and inspire students to take up engineering. It is an enormous and everlasting crusade, made even harder by the indigenous cynical press and the low profile of our industries footsoldiers. It goes without saying that if graduates were only to measure a successful career by the size of a salary upon retirement age, then the truth is, we stand to lose quite a number of our most talented young hopefuls to the likes of Goldman Sachs etc. If money is your thing, then chase it. If the thought of building a prosperous future for us all and our following generations gets you up in the morning... then keep reading please.

"It's broken" Seth Godin.

Yes it is. All of this is broken. The UK exports in the region of £1.5 billion pounds worth of engineering  expertise every year. Yet we only really get to hear about the escapades of the hard hitting international engineering giants such as Arup, WSP Atkins and Buro Happold, although this is a wilful stretch of the imagination. If I were to take the question to the city streets - "Have you heard of Buro Happold?" or "Do you know what Arup does?", then I would stake a large portion of my monthly income that I would see more blank faces than not.

A lot of this is to do with the public's perceived value of our primary function as an engineer. It is agreed that earning a degree in engineering is one of the more demanding academic achievements [slightly biased opinion]. Yet we are no closer to the remuneration package of a Lawyer or Doctor, than say a plumber or electrician. No offence meant by that last remark, but I am basing the disparage upon the inherent disparate levels of public responsibility... and that you need a masters in civil engineering to become a Chartered Engineer too.

I digress. My conclusion? My advice to our industry leaders? Stop chasing the dream. We cannot compete for a higher profile than of an Architect, or the social standing of a Doctor, or the wealth of a financier or indeed the respect of a Lawyer - LOL! Sorry I had to get that last one in... we cannot compete with the power given to a Lawyer.

So if we cannot and never will be able to compare, then the answer is quite simple, don't try. I accept that there will be a few of us who may climb high enough in our industry, that we may become managing directors of one of the engineering giants, but this job commands a different kind of respect. You are no longer measurable as an Engineer, who works the coal face of practical design implication and management - in the public's eyes. Harsh realities, or my personal opinion? You choose. 

I wish to throw in an potential opportunity to those of us left to lead the way out of the trenches. A new way of thinking that the newly enlisted talent may not find too palatable at first. Re-brand the Engineer - sensibly. This could be a broadly unpopular proposal, and I am bracing for the backlash.

We are thought of as a steady 'trade' profession by the public. Not flashy, a shade conservative, reliable, with a sensible and plod along career path. So why not take this on board finally and play with that?

Showcase the small consultancies. Represent an underlying sense of humour to the proceedings known as 'engineering for the masses'. Demonstrate how the advanced mathematics are used in real life examples - on small scale works. Toy with the idea that we are the public's go-to guys and girls and best positioned to help bring projects safely in on time and on budget. Be the centre of constructions universe.

The reason why I say all this is because aren't we setting the bar too high? Surely throwing us all into the premier league may just be too difficult for the majority of us to live with? How about uncovering a little of the truth behind our talented free-lancers who eventually settle down, open an office and employ graduates direct from universities. Giving them a launch pad to take their careers as high as they can imagine. This strategy may seem a little bit backwards at first, and I do accept that we need something to aspire to, but aspiring to owning your own business is good right? Aspiring to being personally responsible for a new graduates initial, formative years in a design office is important right? So let's show it.

I'll leave you with a brief exchange of dialogue between the Channel 4 interviewer and Paul Westbury of Buro Happold. It is quite entertaining...

Interviewer: "Paul Westbury, how do we prevent graduate engineering students from being poached by Channel 4 news or companies like Goldmansachs?"


Paul: "We can start by challenging your language!", "You talk about taking a million pounds back to your factory? Or Goldman Sachs luring engineers away from making lawnmower parts. That's the kind of stuff that we have got to change!"

Interviewer: "but money is a problem isn't it? You can't compete with the city salaries can you?"

Paul: "Of course you can't for some people, but actually for a large number of people you can"

Really?

Let's not get drawn into a debate where we always find ourselves wanting. Better yet is to ignore the 'so called' competition for the attention of our graduates. Concentrate on what we have right now and what we are good at. Training graduates, solving problems, building better futures, protecting society and most of all - doing it because we absolutely love to. You cannot argue with these points. By all means though - you can give it a go.

This has been another exercise in problem solving. Talk to me.

Engine[er]

Scales of Engineering and Feel Good Friday

Would you employ a Structural Engineer who has spent the last 15 years designing concrete bridges, for a single storey house extension?... Would you even bother talking to a local one-man-band-engineer who is advertising loft conversion design services, when you need a 30 storey tower in Dubai built...?

As with many professions, there is an economy of scale... and when I say that - I mean that your chosen consultant will have more design experience in one field over another [i.e. a specialism] and hence be able to provide an enhanced service for the same fee as a lesser prepared pier. I hasten to add that reduced fees and cutting costs do not help anyone. BUT increased levels of customer care and positive communication DOES!

Bear that in mind when you are thinking about your next marketing campaign. Narrowing the field of play could net you a very appreciative and loyal set of clients. I'm excited just thinking about the potential of uncovering a niche market...

OK time to very quickly discuss the avenues available to us as engineers when we finally decide where to market ourselves.

1. Working direct for consumers [private clients]. Please take a step into a world where most of your clients are people who do not know what it is that you are doing for them. I am of course referring to small scale residential clients. They will be able to see where the time was spent...a small parcel of calculations and sketch drawings will be testament to that fact. This however will not stop them from feeling confused and maybe even 'slightly' robbed. The question on their quivering lips is why was your input required in the first place! This is why they employ builders right? To build? Answer: EDUCATE BUILDERS & CONSUMERS. Build trust and take every opportunity to inform them... but not lecture them. Be a great diplomat and advocate for safe sustainable design. Everything the Institute asks of you and more.

2. Work for the construction professional [Architects, testing engineers, builders, project managers, Surveyors]. Without trying to hurt your feelings, our construction contacts may well pick and choose us based upon past project experiences and our 'apparent' specialities. There are also other factors like work load and insurances too, but you may well get first dibs on projects from your most avid supporters. Answer: If you have a good working relationship with these contacts, then they are less likely to muddy the waters by giving your competition a chance. Therefore build in extra value and take time to understand how you can help them best serve their clients. Be the best advocate for their company that you can. Respect is paramount.

3. Partnering Professionals. These contacts will seek you out every time they get sniff of a project. They will require constant help and advice. If you have negotiated a monthly retainer fee then you are one of the lucky ones. Weldone and please share with us your secrets! Potentially these clients [partners] will advertise your services alongside their own. For example, design and build contractors or multidisciplinary design offices. Answer: Getting an invite to join a well established party of hard hitting construction junkies is what I would call the 'golden' opportunity. I would describe a 'silver' opportunity as when two or three established firms collaborate in a consortium style arrangement. All partners bringing to the table a wealth of happy clients to share. Finally the 'bronze' or 'rusty' approach. Two or more non-established companies decide to huddle together for comfort and to share the good times with the bad. A potential slow burning partnership, promises lots... with no proven track record. Buyers beware.

More often than not, your ability to exhibit your infectious personality with your ability to make your clients problems vanish is what gets you chances in the business world.

How do you do that? It takes time, experience, persistence, excellence, knowing when to listen and when to speak, to give, learn, teach, run [had to shoe horn that in], exposure to the unknown, to explore. Please add some more in the comments box below.


Engine[er]