Be part of a successful engineering team

Engineering design and construction industry clients are major companies who typically call in engineering contractors to work on big projects. However, the range of work and the project workload can vary depending on the type of contract agreed or the nature of the work requested by the client.

As a graduate engineer, you will start work in a project team straight away.

Whatever the size of the project or type of contract agreed, client relationships need to be built up and handled carefully. In the case of fixed-price lump-sum contracts, which are currently popular, engineering contractors need to make sure that projects run smoothly so that any delays and problems don’t eat into the project’s profit. From the client’s point of view, projects need to be delivered on time to maximise their return on investment or capture a rising market. It pays for both sides to work to a common objective and agree the ground rules before work starts.

How teams are selected

Once a contract is agreed, the work starts and the team of engineers is assembled. The contracting organisation looks at the experience and skills needed for the project and also considers the personal make up of team members to ensure that the right mix of personalities and skills are included. Teams require both extroverts who maintain the pace and motivation and introverts who are concerned with the detail and keep ideas grounded. The working hours of all the engineers on the team are charged to the project, so every one counts and the team must work effectively.

While senior-level project managers and commercial leaders from the engineering contracting organisation will deal with the major client interactions, there are always occasions when engineers at different levels will come into contact with members of the client’s team. These are opportunities to build relationships and gain an understanding of the industry sector you are working for. This is a good way to become more attuned to the needs of your client and in the long term you will become a well-rounded engineer with expansive industry knowledge.

Your involvement as a graduate on the project team

As a graduate engineer, you will start work in a project team straight away. You’ll work with more experienced engineers but your involvement will count immediately towards solving engineering problems and keeping the project on schedule. It will be important to make sure you understand how the contractual aspects of any project you are involved in work, so that you can work appropriately and understand what is going on at a higher level.

It’s also good to get a feel for the culture of the client you are working for. Every client has a different approach to how they do things. Some may have a hierarchical decision-making structure, while others may be more laid back and rely more heavily on the expertise and judgement of the contracting organisation. These things are worth knowing, as working methods and management cultures can affect how decisions are made and how you will be expected to work.

Keeping lines of communication open is the key to success

Internal team relationships are key to the success of a project. You need to keep up the dialogue with your manager and all the other members of the team – even across geographical boundaries. If you have queries or need more information to do your job, always ask other members of the team, however silly your question may seem. It’s always better to raise issues straightaway rather than let them pass by only to surface again at a more embarrassing time when something goes wrong.

Good relationships across the engineering contractor’s team lead to effective ways to meet the challenges, and ultimately a happy client. They are also good for you as you learn your trade in the EDC business.