daniel chigunwe
Engineering and Construction Matters With Innocent Chatikobo
Introduction
For a technical professional to move to being a manager needs some bit of character.
Technical professionals have shortfalls compared to their commercial counterparts which is mainly based on their curriculums. A number of factors are attributed to technical professionals
They have poor people management skills and are not very bold
They have poor large scale planning techniques
Their curriculum is more practical than others
They are not very patient and would want quick results
The engineering discipline
The engineering discipline is a very challenging discipline which needs one to be fully committed to his books.
For one to be able to succeed in studies in the engineering field, he is supposed to have a strong scientific background especially in the areas of Mathematics, Physics, Technical graphics and Chemistry. Lack of such a background means one is suppose to put more than 100 percent effort to succeed though chances of going through are 35-40 percent. In studying engineering, one is exposed to physical aspects of life.
Some engineering disciplines that are common include
1) Mechanical engineering – defines mechanical aspects of life
2) Automotive engineering— deals with automotives like cars and studies their behaviour
3) Production engineering — also known as manufacturing/ industrial engineering. It mainly deals with production and manufacturing aspects in industry
4) Aeronautical engineering — also encompasses aircraft engineering. It deals with aircrafts
5) Civil and structural engineering — deals with structures, roads and buildings
6) Agricultural engineering — deals with the application of engineering aspects in agricultural activities
7) Plant engineering; electrical engineering; etc
The engineering discipline and multidisciplinary thinking are closely linked. Engineering involves applying scientific and mathematical principles to design, build and maintain structures, machines and systems.
With multidisciplinary thinking, there is combining of knowledge and methods from multiple disciplines to approach problems and solutions. In engineering, multidisciplinary thinking is essential because most engineering projects involve complex systems that require expertise in various fields such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, etc.
By integrating knowledge and techniques in these fields, engineers can develop innovative solutions that consider multiple factors such as functionality, efficiency, sustainability and social impact. Some examples of multidisciplinary engineering fields include:
Biomedical engineering — combines engineering, biology and medicine
Environmental engineering —engineering, ecology and chemistry
Mechatronics — mechanical, electrical and software engineering
Nanotechnology — physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering
Multidisciplinary thinking enables engineers to tackle complex problems, optimise systems and create innovative solutions that transform industries and improve lives.
All these develop an engineer into someone who mainly concentrates on critical thinking in their projects and does not develop the managerial and man management skills.
They then need to develop crucial skills such as management and team leadership, planning and monitoring, effective communication to non technical audiences, finance and coating among other crucial skills.
There has to be a transition of the technical professional into the managerial career.
Moving from technical professional to manager
This transition from a technical professional to a manager can be challenging but rewarding career move. Some key points to consider are:
1) Leadership vs expertise — as a manager, your focus shifts from being a technical expert to leading and guiding your team
2) Communication skills — develop strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with your team and stakeholders. One should be able to simplify and breakdown technical jargon for ease of understanding to the common man
3) Strategic thinking — adopt a more strategic perspective, prioritising projects and allocating resources
4) Coaching and development — focus on mentoring and developing your team members skills and careers
5) Decision making — learn to make informed, data driven decisions that support the team and organisation
6) Time management— balance short term needs with long term goals and priorities
7) Emotional intelligence —cultivate self awareness, empathy and social skills to navigate complex team dynamics
8) Stakeholder management — build relationships with stakeholders, understanding their needs and expectations
9) Adaptability— be open to learning, growing and adjusting to new challenges and responsibilities
10) Seek feedback and support — leverage mentorship, training, feedback to ensure a successful transition.
(This article is an extract from a yet to be published book by the columnist)
Innocent Chatikobo is an engineer by profession with AtroServe Engineering Zimbabwe. He has extensive knowledge and experience in structural engineering and construction. For your comments, views, questions and feedback he can be contacted on the following platforms; Cell: +263 777 950 224; +263 712 376 037; +263 782 502 732; Email: [email protected] Like the Facebook page: AtroServe Engineering ZimbabweFollow the Whatsapp Channel: AtroServe Engineering Zimbabwe
Bongani Ndlovu