In this episode, we discuss five quality management tips for enhancing the public’s understanding of “quality control” in engineering documents and promoting effective communication between engineering disciplines and laypeople. We also highlight the crucial role of measuring assumptions and utilizing clear language to achieve this goal.
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Ensuring Consistent Quality:
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Code and Standard Compliance Is Key
The first quality management idea is code and standard compliance, which is key to ensuring that laws, mandates, expectations, and standards are followed. Although there may be some flexibility, there is a set boundary that needs to be met to obtain approval, regardless of personal preferences or interpretations. Compliance with codes and standards is necessary to meet requirements and ensure quality.
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Stay In Your Lane
Reviewers have different roles and responsibilities concerning enforcing specific sections of code, such as stormwater, erosion and sediment control, and forestry or landscaping regulations. They caution against reviewers overstepping their boundaries and commenting on aspects of a project outside of their authority. Reviewers must stick to their assigned responsibilities and avoid complicating things by commenting on areas outside of their expertise.
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Study Your Craft
Continuing education and staying up-to-date on industry trends and updates are vital. As a reviewer, you need to study your craft and understand the evolution of the industry, as you can influence laws, codes, and standards. By staying ahead of the curve and understanding what’s on the horizon, you can better contribute to the success of projects within your jurisdiction and not be caught off guard by the next big thing. Therefore, you must commit to ongoing education and training to continue being an effective reviewer.
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Acknowledge That Checking Your Own Work Is Hard
It is difficult to check one’s own work, as the human brain is not designed for it. The brain can overlook mistakes and fill in missing words, making it challenging to catch errors. Try using tools like Grammarly and reading the text in reverse to break up the brain’s rhythm. Have someone else read the work to check for spelling and grammar errors. Even a friend in the office can help with this task.
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Time Is Money
It is important to be efficient and see things from a private sector mentality for contract reviewers. You must understand that every hour spent on a project is tied to an hourly rate, so the more efficient the review, the faster you get through the process. The reviewer’s job is to get approvals by meeting different codes, laws, and standards set forth. It’s essential to meet those expectations as efficiently as possible from the reviewer’s side and is the private sector’s job to provide concise and clear information that meets those expectations.
More Details in This Episode…
About Brian Wagner, P.E.
Brian Wagner, P.E., is an engineer who specializes in civil site design and plan implementation. In addition to a career spanning nearly two decades of civil engineering, he has experience in Emergency 911 Communications, law enforcement corrections, and fire/rescue services, including K9 Search and Rescue. This different and diverse range of experiences has not only prepared Brian for his career but also positioned him to be an excellent speaker with a wide range of valuable experiences. He strives to motivate others to change their world and wants to do the same for you.
The view, opinions, and positions represented by Brian Wagner are his own and do not represent the official policy or position of his employer(s).
Sources/References:
CAD
Washington Sanitary Sewer Commission
Montgomery County
Grammarly
Connect with Brian Wagner, P.E., on LinkedIn
We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on ensuring consistent quality management in your projects.