Engineering Rule Book
Introduction
The engineering rules were born from me wanting to give back some of the lessons taught to me by others and/or by circumstances over my engineering life to date.
The specific idea for a rule book, was borrowed from the NCIS character Gibbs and his rules, that are referenced by characters throughout the series.
The engineering rules have not been ordered in any particular order or importance. But as they came to mind and I thought them through.
See the below table of contents for a list of the engineering rules.
Table of Contents
-
Rule 1 - Your Job Is To Make Money
Your job as a construction engineer is to make money for your employer.
-
Rule 2 - Often The Answer Is Both
Much of life is a dichotomy, a contradiction and construction life is no different.
-
Rule 3 - Good News, Bad News And Surprises
Be in control of your destiny, by getting out in front of issues and reduce surprises.
-
Rule 4 - Relationships Are Success
The best way to build relationships is to say hello and make an effort to learn peoples name.
-
Rule 5 - Start Early
Early mornings, late evenings, weekends and night shifts. Why?
-
Rule 6 - Respect The 6 P's
Don't leave your planning to the last moment. Instead, dive into the detail early to make sure a lack of planning doesn't become somebody else's priority.
-
Rule 7 - Do Not Walk Past It
The standard you walk past, is the standard you accept.
-
Rule 8 - Keep One Eye Open And An Ear To The Ground
Take the long slow way around site, keeping one eye open and your ear to the ground.
-
Rule 9 - Start With The End In Mind
Reverse engineer how to get to your end goal.
-
Rule 10 - Measure It
You care about what you measure, so measure what you care about.
-
Rule 11 - Finding Time
Routine, discipline, prioritisation, execution, measurement and adaption.
-
Rule 12 - Start With The Hardest Part
By achieving the hardest part first you gain a strategic and psychological advantage.
-
Rule 13 - Ask Good Questions
Questions are the cornerstone of communication, problem solving and learning.
-
Rule 14 - The KISS Principle
Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler. Albert Einstein
-
Rule 15 - We Are All Paid To Think
You do not need a four year degree to think.
-
Rule 16 - The Professional Engineer
Collections of information get abstracted away into what we call professions.