Harvey Planning Consultancy

Michael Harvey

Civil Engineering Part 1

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What does a Civil Engineer do?

Civil engineers conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment.

The term engineering comes from two Latin words: ingenium, meaning “cleverness” and ingeniare, meaning “to devise”. For centuries, mankind has been using its intelligence to conceive, design and construct things which help us to solve life’s problems. There are many great civil engineering projects across the globe.

If I were to name my favourite civil engineering project, it would be the Westway in London where I was employed as a young civil engineer working for John Laing Construction.

In its time in the UK the Westway was lauded as an exceptional fete of civil engineering.

The Westway was funded by the GLC with a 25% grant from central government.

The main contractor was John Laing & Sons, while the flyovers at the eastern end were engineered by Sir Bruce White and Partners.

Every engineer will have a different opinion on the most impressive creations, however, in a series of papers I am declaring my favourite ten civil engineering projects which rate as being unsurpassable.

My number one on the list must be Great Pyramid of Giza

Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid—the oldest, largest, and most famous of the monuments—is the last of the ancient world’s “seven wonders” still standing. … Today the Great Pyramid stands at 450 feet.

Built mainly of limestone, mortar, some granite in 2600 BC.

Many experts estimate that 5.5 million tonnes of limestone, 500,000 tonnes of mortar and 8,000 tonnes of imported granite were used to make it.

Image of Giza Pyramid from wikipedia by Nina Aldin Thune

Experts also estimate that it would cost around $5 billion to build a replica today.

It remains largely undamaged. It is the largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex and was the tallest construction in the world for over 3,800 years.

It is believed that the pyramid was built as a tomb for the fourth Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh, Khufu and was constructed over a twenty-year period.

THE PLANNING ENGINEER

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What is the role of a planning engineer?

Planning engineers determine and develop the most suitable and economically viable construction and engineering methods for projects. … It is the responsibility of the planning engineer to estimate a timescale for a project and to ensure that key milestones are met.

Planning Engineer Skills

The Planning Engineer normally possess all the skills of being able to run a project and therefore take on the role of project manager should the need arise.

The Planning Engineer will have strong multitasking abilities.

The Planning Engineer will have strong analytical, critical, and logical thinking skills and the ability to focus under pressure.

The Planning Engineer will have strong communication skills.

The Planning Engineer will have a sound knowledge of health and safety protocols.

The Planning Engineer becomes the focal point in producing reports which relay to the team and the Client the important questions of:

  • Where are we?
  • What has it cost to get there?
  • Where are we going?
  • How can we correct any problems?

Many companies still believe that project planning is, and the planning engineer is an unnecessary overhead. Nothing could be further from the truth.

A good planning engineer will save a project from being hamstrung by inefficiencies and needless expenses and undoubtedly improve the bottom line.

THE PROJECT PLANNER AND THE KEYBOARD JOCKEY

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Project planning is Project Management and I defy anyone who says it is not.

Project Planning is a career path that holds a seat awfully close to the top echelons of any company.

Project Planning should begin at the inception of any project and becomes the pre-engineering process where nothing is left to chance when it comes to the construction phase.

The Planning Engineer is the focal point when the questions are asked.

•             Where are we? – Progress Update

•             What has it cost to get here? – Overruns on Programme cost, time, and money.

•             Where are we going? – Slippage in programme = Compensable vs. Non-Compensable Delays

•             How can we correct any problems? = Create an action plan

Of course, enthusiasm and recognition within the company is the real key that helps to motivate and excite the Planning Engineer.

Whether the project is to construct world’s tallest building, or the construction of an elevated motorway, project planning and scheduling is quite simply the beating heart of every project.

“In essence the effectiveness of a planning engineer may be divided into three essential components:

• Technical skills – planning engineers need an understanding of fundamental techniques, processes, and software related skills (though the former area should be far more heavily weighted).

• The amount of site visits! – How familiar are they with the aspect of the project schedules they typically prepare.

After all, how is it possible to analyse risk, opportunity, and the project delivery strategy when you have no understanding of the work composition that underpins each of the project events?

• Personal characteristics – Though a more difficult area to address, it is their personal characteristics that will typically win the day. Effective planning engineers are usually intrusive, engaging, good communicators, perhaps pessimistic (or they should be to balance out the naturally optimistic project managers!) and of course good team players.”

The Keyboard Jockey

The keyboard jockey is somebody who talks big about the subject of planning and scheduling but cannot back their words up with real life accomplishments in the industry.

He or She may well know their way around the software, however, they do not come under the category of a Planning Engineer who approaches the project in an eclectic manner.

The keyboard jockey will not add value to his role as he lacks the upbringing of a planning engineer.

The planning engineer will have served and alternated his time during training in many departments, thus, acquiring an appreciation for tendering and estimating department site engineering, quantity surveying etc.