The changing role of the structural engineer. By Evelyn Storey

Transcription

1 The changing role of the structural engineer By Evelyn Storey

2 1986 to years of change

3 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 manmonths of design team effort are being processed by a computer in a matter of hours or minutes and our clients needs are also changing

4 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?

5 The 4th Industrial Revolution

6 Impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution Technological developments Artificial intelligence Machine-learning Robotics Nanotechnology 3D printing/manufacturing

7 Timeframe for disruption Impact felt already 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

8 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

9 Globalisation Global competition Cloud computing Flexible work environments Crowd sourced solutions

10 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

11 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

12 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.

13 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

14 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

15 The future of work We are currently preparing students for jobs and technologies that 2. don t Critical thinking yet exist Creativity In order to solve problems we don t even know are problems yet. 1. Complex problem solving 4. People Management 5. Coordinating with others 6. Emotional Intelligence 7. Judgement and Decision Making 8. Service Orientation 9. Negotiation 10. Cognitive flexibility ShiftHappens Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod

16 Top 10 skills for disruption Complex problem solving 2. Coordinating with others 3. People Management 4. Critical thinking 5. Negotiation 6. Quality control 7. Service orientation 8. Judgement and decision making 9. Active listening 10. Creativity 1. Complex problem solving 2. Critical thinking 3. Creativity 4. People Management 5. Coordinating with others 6. Emotional Intelligence 7. Judgement and Decision Making 8. Service Orientation 9. Negotiation 10. Cognitive flexibility Source: Top 10 Skills, World Economic Forum, 2016

17 Top skills for future structural engineers 1. Complex problem solving Evolving technical skills 2. Coordinating with others 3. People Management 4. Critical thinking 5. Negotiation 6. Quality control Communication and collaboration 7. Service orientation 8. Judgement and decision making 9. Active listening 10. Creativity Creativity Critical thinking 1. Complex problem solving 2. Critical thinking 3. Creativity Resilience and empathy 4. People Management 5. Coordinating with others 6. Emotional Intelligence 7. Judgement and Decision Making Niche skills 8. Service Orientation 9. Negotiation 10. Cognitive flexibility

18 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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