RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
‘ R & D Tree ’ Concept in Knowledge Management in Engineering Consultancy Practices
By Ir . Dr Tan Yean Chin
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Engineering consultancy firms are regulated by the Board of Engineers ( BEM ) as mandated in the Registration of Engineers Act ( REA ). Sections 7A and 7B of REA state that the various types of engineering consultancy firms , which must be registered under BEM , are known as Engineering Consultancy Practices ( ECP ).
The day-to-day work of a Professional Engineer with Practicing Certificate ( PEPC ) and the processes of engineering work in ECPs generally cover the following four key components : a ) Planning : Conceptualising and determining engineering systems to be adopted , gathering initial facts , and identifying engineering parameters . b ) Analysis : Conducting engineering calculations and analyses , whether manually , using spreadsheets , or engineering software . c ) Design : Translating analysis results into engineering drawings and specifications that adhere to applicable engineering standards and best practices . d ) Supervision and Inspection : Ensuring that engineering construction , based on endorsed drawings and specifications , is supervised and inspected by a Professional Engineer with Practicing Certificate ( PEPC ) or his representatives registered with BEM ( e . g ., PEPC , Professional Engineer , Graduate Engineer , or Inspectors of Work ).
The performance of engineering consulting firms and their PEPCs significantly impact public safety and interests . To address the challenges posed by the ever-evolving construction industry and ensure their long-term survivability , the ECP management should consider the following key questions :
1 . Consistent Safety and Technical Suitability : How can ECPs consistently produce safe and technically suitable deliverables that won ’ t fail due to design errors ?
2 . Efficiency : What strategies can streamline the engineering process within ECPs , minimising time and resource requirements while maintaining quality ?
3 . Knowledge Retention : How can ECPs effectively preserve knowledge and experiences acquired from previous projects , particularly during transitions or retirement of key personnel ?
4 . Effective Implementation : What methods can effectively incorporate retained knowledge and experiences into day-to-day ECP operations ?
5 . Effective Training : How can young engineers be trained effectively and aligned with company culture and practices ?
One practical and achievable approach to address the questions raised above is through inhouse research and development ( R & D ) combined with a robust and regimented knowledge management culture . In this article , the author proposes a concept called ‘ R & D Tree ’ to effectively enhance knowledge management ( KM ) within the engineering consulting firm and fulfil their set objectives .
67