Category: Engineering

How Can Engineers Better Communicate With The Public?

18/2/2019

Engineering problems and solutions are complex.

Understanding the issues affecting any engineering problem requires a wealth of acquired knowledge on:

how the physical world works in terms of physics, biology and chemistry;
how changes to environments and structures go on to affect neighbouring ecosystems;
the political concerns that may arise from not acting, or adopting particular solutions;
the legal constraints and implications that limit solutions to the problem; and
the scientific basis that underpins those legal constraints.

In many cases, engineering solutions need to be 'signed-off' by clients or members of the community with little to no engineering experience.

That means little to no understanding of the reasons why a particular engineering solution should or should not be adopted and the community impacts that they may pose.

This large knowledge gap makes communicating with this audience particularly difficult.

The typical engineering report - along with its convoluted drawing sets that many engineers struggle with at the best of times - is not well placed to communicate effectively with such an audience.

Furthermore, the need for reports to be wrapped up tight in legally-sound caveats throughout doesn't make them a pleasant read.

Even the best written and structured reports struggle to create a flowing narrative when they're punctuated by the necessities of documenting data sources and cushioning recommendations in cautionary language. All of which are important.

Figure 01: An example of how a simple animation can explain how a renewable pumped hydro storage system works more succinctly than reading a section in a report.

There's got to be a better way.

Schematic diagrams, infographics, animations and colourful illustrations are incredibly useful to clearly describe the problem; the options for solutions and the potential pros and cons of each options.

Such illustrations can sit outside of the key documents and act as a primer or introduction to the key takeaways of the problems and solutions.

Schematic illustrations are not constrained by the same needs for accuracy that burden drawing sets so more effort can be directed into clearly communicating a complex idea in a simple and approachable way.

Additionally, they look good - which can help 'sell-in' a project or solution - and they can be produced relatively inexpensively when compared with drafted drawings (to which these illustrations would only be an addition, not a replacement) and the hours of additional client communication and community consultation that would be required to explain an unclear approach.

The crux of it.

Communicating engineering issues to a non-engineering audience is incredibly difficult.
Engineering reports and convoluted drawing sets don't cut it.
Schematic illustrations allow engineers to clearly communicate with non-engineers by:
- introducing and explaining an engineering problem;
- introducing and explaining the solutions; and
- clearly outlining the pros and cons of the status quo and the potential solutions.
Communicating effectively in this way can help save consultation time and is an affordable solution relative to other options.

If you're having trouble communicating with clients or if you're looking to spruce up your bids, pitches, proposals, presentations or entire brand, drop us a line: matfaintdesignco@gmail.com

Figure 02: Overland flooding in process

Figure 03: Riverine flooding in process

Figure 04: The Hydrological Cycle

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Enspire Solutions is Helping to Build Better Communities

11/2/2019

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Enspire Solutions is an Engineering and Project Management consulting firm that's recently opened for business in North Sydney.

The firm is helmed by a small and agile team of engineers that have a wealth of experience helping builders and developers create communities that people in which love to live.

We were engaged to develop a brand identity that reflects the professionalism and approachability of the business and its staff.

This included:

creating a distinctive logo that would set them aside from the competitors in their space;
developing a colour scheme that amplified their professionalism;
prescribing a suite and hierarchy of very basic, accessible fonts that could be easily applied in reports and drawings by non-designers;
creating easy-to-use professional report templates;
illustrating a series of icons to help communicate with non-engineering clients;
and building a company website to sell their services and inform potential partners of their expertise.

Head to the Enspire Solutions website to see more.

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How Can Engineers Better Communicate With The Public?

Enspire Solutions is Helping to Build Better Communities

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