the changing role of the structural engineer · 2016-12-16 · “shifthappens” karl fisch and...
TRANSCRIPT
The changing role of the structural engineer
By Evelyn Storey
1986 to 2016
30 years of change
Our world is disrupted
The fundamentals that have shaped structural engineering over the last three decades no longer apply
Design is no longer a sequential process
Traditional team structures are being replaced
Tasks that once took many man-months of design team effort are being processed by a computer in a matter of hours or minutes…
…and our clients’ needs are also changing
Engineering is changing
So what does this mean for today’s Structural Engineering Graduates?
What does it mean for those of us already here and looking to survive and thrive?
The 4th Industrial Revolution
Technological developments Artificial intelligence Machine-learning Robotics Nanotechnology 3D printing/manufacturing
Impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution
Timeframe for disruptionImpact felt already 2015-2017 2018-2020
• Advances in computing power and Big Data
• Crowdsourcing and the sharing economy
• Rapid urbanization• Flexible work
environments
• New energy supplies and technologies
• The Internet of Things
• Advanced manufacturing, 3D printing
• Advanced robotics• Autonomous
transport• Artificial
intelligence• Machine learning
Source: World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs
Standardising of procedures
Technological disruptions, such as artificial intelligence and machine-learning may replace many traditional roles previously undertaken by structural engineers.
The ASCE estimates that standards and codes define 95% of the structures being constructed today
Globalisation
Global competition Cloud computing Flexible work environments Crowd sourced solutions
The future of engineering consulting
Consultancies offering total business solutions across a range of markets, or
Smaller niche structural engineering consultants, focussing on traditional design, or
Delivery of specialities outside the scope of prescriptive standards and codes, such as performance based design, risk management or asset management
The future of structural engineering
Structural engineers have long been leaders in adopting technological solutions to address engineering problems
It is highly likely that structural engineers will also be at the forefront of the 4th Industrial Revolution
Structural engineering in 2020
Our added value is in tasks which cannot be automated‒ interpreting the client brief
(empathy), ‒ adding elegance and/or delight
(creativity)‒ testing and making judgements
regarding alternative solutions (innovation) and risk management.
Implications for graduates A firm grasp of conceptual
engineering fundamentals Alternative mechanisms for
mastering key concepts behind the tools.
Unlikely to need to recall detailed factual knowledge.
Will actively participate in the advancement of technology —either as drivers or creators or creative users
…and find a sensible balance between human and machine
The future of education
Arguably, the world has taken decades to create the systems and institutions needed to develop the skills sets required by new innovations
This is no longer an option
The future of work…
1. Complex problem solving2. Critical thinking3. Creativity4. People Management5. Coordinating with others6. Emotional Intelligence7. Judgement and Decision Making8. Service Orientation9. Negotiation10. Cognitive flexibility
We are currently preparing students for jobs and
technologies that don’t yet exist . . .
In order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems
yet.
“ShiftHappens” Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod
Top 10 skills for disruption
1. Complex problem solving2. Coordinating with others3. People Management4. Critical thinking5. Negotiation6. Quality control7. Service orientation8. Judgement and decision making9. Active listening10. Creativity
1. Complex problem solving2. Critical thinking3. Creativity4. People Management5. Coordinating with others6. Emotional Intelligence7. Judgement and Decision Making8. Service Orientation9. Negotiation10. Cognitive flexibility
2015 2020
Source: Top 10 Skills, World Economic Forum, 2016
Top skills for future structural engineers
1. Complex problem solving2. Coordinating with others3. People Management4. Critical thinking5. Negotiation6. Quality control7. Service orientation8. Judgement and decision making9. Active listening10. Creativity
1. Complex problem solving2. Critical thinking3. Creativity4. People Management5. Coordinating with others6. Emotional Intelligence7. Judgement and Decision Making8. Service Orientation9. Negotiation10. Cognitive flexibility
Evolving technical skills Creativity Resilience and
empathy
Communication and
collaborationCritical thinking Niche skills
So how do structural engineers stay ahead of disruption?
The route to the future is through creativity and innovation and our ability to deal with ambiguity – not through labour
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