DESIGN : DEAR PLUMBERS 31

By

D . S ( Vollie ) Brink Pr . Eng . MSAICE , MPMISA

This month , I look at the capacity to assess situations or circumstances and to draw sound conclusions .

‘ Soundness of judgement ’ refers to the possession of judgement that is trustworthy and free of errors ; to evaluate a situation or a problem objectively with a clear head and calculate risks .

All the above mentioned and more is very important to make sound judgement in all fields of engineering activities . the work in the design office and the construction site . It means making decisions on parts or all engineering activities .

Judgement and decisions are closely related . As engineer , technologist , or technician , you will have to make important decisions constantly . In fact , all of your work requires , and basically consist of making decisions . You become a ‘ decision maker ’.

What is the definition or meaning of ‘ decision ’? It is a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration . The important element here is that the decision only follows right at the end – after consideration .

Vollie Brink is one of the industry ’ s longest-serving wet services engineers . He continues to serve on SABS committees and has been involved in the Green Building Council ’ s Green Star rating system . Brink continues to consult for various organisations while enjoying a wellearned retirement .

Sound judgement has a direct link to the ‘ assumptions ’ you must make in order that the assumptions become ‘ decisions ’ on which your design is going to be based .

You need the capacity / property / ability to : assess , evaluate , calculate risk , make sound decisions and judgements .

Where does this ability , capacity or ability come from ?

This comes from your education and the development programme you must follow in the office and in the field and through your mentorship and constant research and your specialisation field of engineering and applying the knowledge of your education , and what you learn by ‘ doing ’

Consideration must be based on knowledge or information , competence and experience – these are the ‘ tools ’ you need for making decisions .

Consideration means to research and consider various options and solutions and costing and feasibility studies , and engineering reports , stability and durability and communication with institutional bodies and authorities and legal issues and manufacturers and the owner , and eventually come to considerations and conclusions and then what follows is the final decision . PA

Kind regards ,

Vollie

“ Consideration means to research and consider various options and solutions .”

November 2021 Volume 27 I Number 9 www . plumbingafrica . co . za