Institution of Civil Engineers | Spotlight
Keeping the edges fuzzy
Civil engineering projects do not live in a vacuum. Technical decisions have impacts on people, communities and the environment.
The periphery of projects blends into wider areas of influence and it is here, at the fuzzy edges, our skills can go beyond technical input.
DONALD BELL
Wider, fuzzy-edged thinking brings in different viewpoints and skills that have a major impact on infrastructure context and create better outcomes. It is important that we ensure all levels of our profession have an appreciation of the wider societal consequences of decisions.
I recently attended a university session, covering all engineering disciplines, where PhD students gave pitches for research projects, from quantum computing to tests for cancer. I was encouraged by how many of these projects involved multi-disciplinary research and public testing to assess effectiveness.
Future civil engineers must be seen as integral to the wellbeing of our planet and people, rather than just talented technocrats. If we do not get into cross-boundary collaboration and influence, we are in danger of being kept in a box marked “technical queries only”. This could limit our ability to contribute and mean that we miss opportunities to change things for the better.
We must ensure that the education of young professionals encourages fuzzy-edged thinking. While there is a need for a rigour in core subjects, such as materials and maths, early exposure to team-based projects and working with non-engineers is vital as it widens perspectives.
There’s a risk that choosing a specialism too early could lead to narrowed experiences for young engineers. A broad training base, covering different skills and teams, is beneficial. While this can be difficult, with team leaders often understandably concerned by staff rotation and initially low productivity, it has longer-term benefits. A wider early career view can increase exposure to broader viewpoints, thus encouraging fuzzy-edged thinking.
“Wider, fuzzy-edged thinking brings in different viewpoints and skills that have a major impact on infrastructure context and create better outcomesThe ICE’s support of science, technology and mathematics ambassadors helps in this respect. It gives young professionals the opportunity to share their knowledge with a non-technical audience – encouraging two-way sharing and growing awareness of the world outside engineering.
CPD should also encourage exposure to voices beyond our own profession, opening our eyes to the possibility of collaboration and mutual success. The ICE’s promotion of the 24 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals also helps us see our wider global influence.
Senior professionals have a role to play in promoting fuzzy-edged thinking – they set the example. A narrow, risk-averse viewpoint can discourage innovation. We need forward-looking skills to ensure projects remain relevant to society and valued by our communities. If we do not listen, think and respond, our influence diminishes.
We need to look at our projects holistically. What are the impacts? Who can we learn from?
Fuzzy-edged thinking can help us tap into wider viewpoints, knowledge and skills. Try it.
- Donald Bell is ICE Scotland chair