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In this episode, I chat with Jacqueline Dirmann, P.E., CME, CFM, client manager at T&M Associates, about how better communication strategies can elevate your projects and career, from engaging stakeholders to keeping the public informed during capital improvement projects.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Jacqueline:
- How do you approach communication with different project stakeholders, especially in municipalities where community involvement is key, given your experience as both a consulting and municipal engineer?
- How do you keep the public informed and engaged throughout the entire lifecycle of capital improvement projects?
- In your experience, how important is it to involve contractors early in communication with residents and stakeholders, and how does this affect the success of a project?
- How do you balance technical requirements with the concerns of local communities when addressing compliance issues related to zoning regulations and stormwater management?
- Can you share your approach to securing and managing grant funding for infrastructure projects, and how it affects the overall success of a project?
- Can you share an example of when proactive communication with residents helped prevent or reduce challenges during an infrastructure project?
- How do you adjust your communication strategies when working with different stakeholders like planning boards, zoning boards, and redevelopment agencies?
- Can you share some best practices for engineers looking to improve their community engagement skills when holding neighborhood meetings with local residents?
- What final advice would you give civil engineers wanting to improve their communication skills, especially when working on projects that greatly affect communities?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Enhance Projects With Better Communication:
- Involving the right stakeholders early in a project is crucial to understanding their needs and expectations. Clear, concise communication without technical jargon helps ensure that all participants, including non-technical ones, can follow along and make informed decisions as the project progresses.
- Since residents often see projects as disruptions rather than improvements, it’s essential to approach the situation from their perspective. By clearly communicating throughout the process and addressing their concerns, engineers can minimize frustration and maintain public engagement.
- Involving contractors early in the communication process is vital to project success, as it ensures residents’ concerns are addressed by those managing the site. Contractors, being visible on-site, can answer specific questions and help mitigate potential issues before they escalate.
- When explaining complex technical requirements, it’s essential to break things down in simple, non-technical terms. By using relatable analogies, like comparing stormwater detention systems to a bathtub, residents can better understand the reasoning behind technical decisions, leading to greater acceptance and cooperation.
- It’s crucial to follow the specific rules and requirements set by grant agencies. Establishing a reputation for effectively managing grants ensures future funding opportunities, as agencies are more likely to allocate resources to those who consistently meet their criteria.
- Involving residents early in project discussions can uncover insights that might not be apparent in technical plans alone. Listening to their local knowledge and adjusting designs accordingly leads to more effective solutions and helps build trust with the community, reducing challenges later in the project.
- Each stakeholder has different concerns and priorities, so it’s important to understand their specific needs. Building trust by showing a clear understanding of both the project and the local community helps you become a trusted advisor and improves communication with various boards and agencies.
- To improve community engagement, engineers should focus on clear, concise communication, listening to residents’ concerns, and avoiding technical jargon. Proactively involving residents, addressing their feedback, and explaining technical concepts in simple, relatable terms will help build trust and ensure smoother project outcomes.
- Civil engineers should focus on asking questions and actively seeking to understand the needs of the community they’re working with. Emphasizing teamwork, being open to learning from others, and clearly communicating technical details in simple, relatable terms will help build trust and lead to more successful project outcomes.
More Details in This Episode…
About Jacqueline Dirmann, P.E., CME, CFM
Ms. Dirmann has 23 years of experience in providing engineering services to municipalities throughout New Jersey. Serving as a project manager on both the consulting and municipality side, she is able to bring a diverse blend of experience and expertise to her clients. In the past, she has served as consulting municipal engineer for the Township of Cranford, Borough of Roselle, and the City of Rahway and has served as planning board, zoning board, and redevelopment engineer for municipalities across the state. She has experience with reviewing applications for compliance with zoning regulations, stormwater management ordinances, flood damage prevention ordinances, and State Flood Hazard Area (FHA) regulations.
Additionally, Ms. Dirmann has been extensively involved in the preparation of capital budgets and the management of capital improvement projects. These budgets involved the construction and maintenance of roadway facilities, drainage facilities, park projects, and utility infrastructure projects. She was also responsible for managing grant funding for these projects, including Green Acres funding, New Jersey Infrastructure Trust, Community Block Development Grants, and New Jersey Department of Transportation Municipal Aid and Federal Aid grants.
Books Mentioned in This Episode:
Sources/References:
T&M Associates
Connect with Jacqueline Dirmann, P.E., CME, CFM, on LinkedIn
We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on how you enhance projects with better communication.
Please leave your comments, feedback, or questions in the section below.
To your success,
Anthony Fasano, P.E., AEC PM, F. ASCE
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
