Transcript CVE 4074-5074 Teams

Construction Leadership
TEAM LEADERSHIP
PART VIII – THE ENGINEER WORKER
Class notes:
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I need copies of all PPT presentations
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Turn in written book reports after ASCE trip
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4 book reports covered on Test 2
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Test 2 study guide on web & ANGEL
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I’m out of town Wed thru Sunday
What makes engineers tick?
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Stereotypes of engineers
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Class research results
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Technical Orientation
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Engineering education process
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Problem solving methods
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Work environment
Profile of the Engineer*
“ Constricted interests are apparent in their
relative indifference to human relations, to
psychology and the social sciences, to public
affairs and social amelioration, to the fine arts
and cultural subjects and even to those aspects
of physical science which do not immediately
relate to engineering.”
* Industrial Relations News
Engineers’ Spelling
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was
rdgnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig
to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht
oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht
the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a
taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is
bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef,
but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas
thought slpeling was ipmorant!
Design Engineers
You can distinguish them by their appearance:
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Dress up constantly, neatness is their deal, have a trousers &
shirts wordrobe, dress for success
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Stick pens in pockets
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Like soft, instrumental music, not a party or social animal, prefer
more conservative social settings; play with LEGOs,
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Shy, but also organized, curious, obsessive, talk in technical or
“robotic” terms,
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Communication skills not well developed, they are “quiet”…
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But in the end they find the right answers and solve the puzzle…
“make it work” is their motto.
Construction Managers
You can distinguish them by their appearance:
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Dress up rarely, usually wear jeans & shirts, wears a
team shirt & hard hat; neatness is not their deal,
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Like loud, rock music, are party or social animals,
prefer outdoor to social settings; play video games
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Self possessed & outgoing, organized, focused, short
tempered, talk abruptly or use “sports” terms
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Communication skills very well developed, they are
“noisy” workers…
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But in the end they find the right answers and
complete the project or task… “get er done” is their
motto.
ACEC: What clients look for...
 People
skills - 34% - responsive, motivated, excited
 Communication
skills - 23% - issues, alternatives, involved
 Ethical
considerations - 15% - mutual respect, trust, honesty
 Project
specific skills - 17% - scope, scheduling, costing, etc.
 Knowledge/experience
 Budget
- 6% - expertise
experience - 5%
*ACEC - Peer review committee
American Consulting Engineers Council
Design Engineers…
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Typical jobs: calculations, drawing, analyses,
specification writing, knowledge worker
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Personality: curious, detail-oriented, creative, like
challenges, organized, logical, practical, confident,
independent, creative, systematic, dedicated
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Education: HS, BSCE, MSCE, PE, OJT, seminars, CEUs
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Skills: technically proficient in one area, problem
solver, tenacious, conservative, good math & science,
poor communicator, narrowly focused interests, good
ethics, concern for safety & cost
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MBTI types: ISTJ
Construction Managers…
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Typical jobs: PM, Estimator, Scheduler, Office
Engineer, Resident Engineer
Personality: outgoing, organized, methodical,
dependable, fact oriented, action oriented
Education: HS, BSCE, OJT, GC license, seminars, PE(?)
& MS or MBA…. Prof CM (pending)
Skills: flexible, resourceful, analytical, organized,
business skills, decisive, impatient, good oral skills,
team player, tactful, leader, sensible, organized &
structured
MBTI types: ESTJ, ESFJ, ISTJ, ENTJ
Construction Workers-skilled…
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Typical jobs: physical, mechanical, inspection,
hazardous, repetitive tasks
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Personality: conscientious, energetic, productive,
broad interests, team worker, like recognition, proud,
like challenges, competitive, like clear instructions
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Education: HS, apprentice, OJT, experience
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Skills: expert in “one” skill, good hand & eye
coordination, strong w/endurance, good with details,
good communicators, problem solver, decisive
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MBTI types: ESTJ, ENFJ
Construction Workers-unskilled…
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Typical jobs: whole body, physical, repetitive tasks
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Personality: need supervision, clear instructions,
oversight, many have personal/social problems
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Education: HS, dropout, foreign national
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Skills: hardworking, good physical shape, learn
easily, reliable, lack technical skill
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MBTI types: unknown
Engineer Problem Solving Methods…
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Scientific method
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Structured analysis process
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Cause and effect thinking
Facts and assumptions
Safety and cost drive judgments
Ability to check work
Safety of the process; reduce risk
Reliance on fact vs. feel
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Left brain vs. right brain
Impact on people not a factor
Numerical/objective vs. subjective evaluation
Construction Problem Solving Methods…
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Business Management Methods
Time sequenced thinking
 Facts only based on plans & specs
 Safety and cost drive judgments
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Process analysis approach
Need to make all parts come together in time
 Stress on cost & productivity
 Stress on reducing time & risk
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Reliance on practicality
Right brain vs. left brain
 Impact on people is a factor; esp the owner
 Subjective/evaluation vs. numerical objective
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Engineering Work Environment (1)…
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Typically not group oriented
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Problem centered; beam, joint, foundation
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Work breakdown structure; tasks divided
Isolated work stations
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Office broken down
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Projects widely separated
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Typically few interactions
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Problems solved "individually"
Work Environment (2)…
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Projects isolated from each other
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Project extracted from surroundings
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Ease of analysis
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Cost considerations
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Projects not related to each other
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Lessons learned difficult to relate
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New project: clean sheet approach
Comparison to other professions
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Legal - case law
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Environment - ecosystems
Construction Work Environment (1)…
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Typically group oriented
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Project centered; site, timing, interactions
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Work breakdown structure; tasks integrated
Integrated work station
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One site; one project
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Projects widely separated
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Typically many, many interactions
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Problems cannot be solved "individually"
Work Environment (2)…
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One project at a time…
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Project integrated with surroundings
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Ease of analysis
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Cost considerations dominate
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Projects not related to each other
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Lessons learned applied to future projects
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New projects: related to lower risk
The Enlightened Engineer
or
Construction Manager*
1. The "engineering elite" of the future will most likely be
graduates of liberally enriched five- or six-year programs.
2. Engineers & Managers are "intelligent, energetic, unassuming
people who seek interesting work... they have enormous
potential for growth.
* The Civilized Engineer, Samuel C. Florman
Student Presentations
AMA Study of Leadership*
“Leadership is a practical skill that can be
learned only through actual experience,
preferably prior to the age of thirty.”
* Survey of 700 CEOs