Professional and Career Topics

Hello everyone!

Depending on how long you have been in the engineering field, you might have experienced the different phases of a project as it advances through its lifecycle:

• Planning
• Design
• Procurement
• Construction
• Close-Out

Each phase is different in its own way and I wanted to start this topic by posing the question: what phase is your favorite and why? have you had exposure to all phases? if you had to choose one phase for your next project, which would be it?

Hope this turns into an interesting forum! Looking forward to everyone's answers.

Regards,
Salvador

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Salvador Bentolila P.E., ENV SP, M.ASCE
AECOM
New York NY
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Hello Salvador and everyone!

These is a great topic, just to think about it I'm excited!, my point of view is with this you are touching the reasons so many of us are civil engineers.

First of all I want to answer the questions you asked:

What phase is your favorite and why?
My favorite phase is Planning, because it is where there is the greatest amount of creative work; The project is conceptualized, its scope is established, a lot of empathy is needed about the needs of the owner or end user and at the same time knowledge about the current possibilities of design and construction, I mean knowing that it will be possible to achieve it, from the good decisions made in this phase the project could deviate or not materialize in any of the other phases.

Have you had exposure to all the phases?
Yes, in non-large projects (I mean a building of $ 300,000 USD only the structure, without non-structural elements), we project it and take it to the construction for a municipal government.
Through this type of experience I have seen that all phases of a project have their interesting side, and require different skills in people.

If you had to choose a phase for your next project, what would it be?
I would definitely choose the one I like the most… planning!

On the other hand, I want to add something to the topic, I consider that each of the phases of a project that you propose is experienced differently depending on "which side" you are on: a) owner (in the case of government agencies), b) company of architecture-engineering (consulting / construction). Do you have any opinion about it considering the same phases of a project on each of these "sides"?

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Horacio Galicia-Gaona Ing., S.E., M.ASCE
Morelia
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1. Planning

Because it is the first and last time to assure before any work begins that you can engage the client to confirm their requirements. Quality is conformance to requirements. But many clients express their expectations instead. Until you have translated their expectations into requirements, do not allow work to begin. And never, ever use the expression "Meet or exceed your expectations."

2. Yes.
3. Design (The first 3 to 5% of 100%):

As the project startup meeting ends, it is not unusual to have the last question from the PM:

"Does anyone have any questions?" After someone asks a tough clarification question,

it is common for the PM to respond "Great question Sally! Just get the project work going.  . we're on a schedule…and I'll get back to you later." When does the PM get back to Sally?

Most frequent answer I hear is "NEVER!"

So now this project just started and you can already anticipate the unacceptable COQ (Cost of Quality) starting to rise.

Stay Healthy!

Cheers,

Bill

 

 

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William M. Hayden Jr., Ph.D., P.E., CMQ/OE, F.ASCE
Buffalo, N.Y.

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." -- George Eliot 1819 - 1880
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-03-2021 12:22 AM
From: Horacio Galicia-Gaona
Subject: What is your favorite phase in a project lifecycle and why?

Hello Salvador and everyone!

These is a great topic, just to think about it I'm excited!, my point of view is with this you are touching the reasons so many of us are civil engineers.

First of all I want to answer the questions you asked:

What phase is your favorite and why?
My favorite phase is Planning, because it is where there is the greatest amount of creative work; The project is conceptualized, its scope is established, a lot of empathy is needed about the needs of the owner or end user and at the same time knowledge about the current possibilities of design and construction, I mean knowing that it will be possible to achieve it, from the good decisions made in this phase the project could deviate or not materialize in any of the other phases.

Have you had exposure to all the phases?
Yes, in non-large projects (I mean a building of $ 300,000 USD only the structure, without non-structural elements), we project it and take it to the construction for a municipal government.
Through this type of experience I have seen that all phases of a project have their interesting side, and require different skills in people.

If you had to choose a phase for your next project, what would it be?
I would definitely choose the one I like the most… planning!

On the other hand, I want to add something to the topic, I consider that each of the phases of a project that you propose is experienced differently depending on "which side" you are on: a) owner (in the case of government agencies), b) company of architecture-engineering (consulting / construction). Do you have any opinion about it considering the same phases of a project on each of these "sides"?

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Horacio Galicia-Gaona Ing., S.E., M.ASCE
Morelia
------------------------------

Hey Salvador,

Great questions! My favorite phase is the close-out phase because you get to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the project you have either been designing or watching the construction of. I have had exposure to almost all of the phases except for the planning phase. For my next project, I would choose the design phase. I would love to learn how to draft on Civil 3D.

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Rafael Estrada Moncada EI, A.M.ASCE
Construction Engineer
Lincoln NE
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Ribbon cutting
No explanation needed. 
:-)

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Susan Everett P.E., M.ASCE
Design Manager
Seattle WA
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My favorite phase in a project lifecycle is the turnover-closeout phase.  Generally, in industrial construction, we turnover systems and sub-systems of the facility progressively, in accordance with the pre-commissioning/commissioning schedule to support the start-up sequence.  We have prepared and executed for this intense focus on each element which is examined, tested, verified, and documented by all relevant stakeholders in order to support the safe and successful operation of the facility.  All open items are resolved, "t's crossed and i's dotted", and the project moves to its conclusion.  No more procrastination, "yeah, but……" or "oh, let me get back to you on that next Wednesday…….".  It's "showtime".  It is a time of satisfaction for all project participants:  The culmination of all the previous phases to "sign, seal and deliver" the plant -- the physical completion of what once was an idea into reality -- to the owner.  And then it's on to the next challenge -cliché's and all!

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Michael Kozinetz Aff.M.ASCE
Construction Manager
Murrells Inlet SC
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-06-2021 05:29 PM
From: Susan Everett
Subject: What is your favorite phase in a project lifecycle and why?

Ribbon cutting
No explanation needed.
:-)

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Susan Everett P.E., M.ASCE
Design Manager
Seattle WA
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