Working with the Dark Side a k a

Working with the Dark Side (a. k. a. “Engineers”) Breakfast Briefing

Agenda • Mindsets Matter • Taxonomy of Engineers • Project Milestones • Changes & Errors • Nightmares & Fantasies • CAD Coordination Basics

Mindsets Matter Successful Architect On the “Cover” Successful Engineer NOT on the “Cover”

Result of Mindset • Motivation focused on reducing risk – To Career, Project & Client – Has difficulty with subjective opinions If respect and appreciation is present on both sides of the equation then communication flows naturally and does not need “checklists” to make coordination happen. Perceived lack of respect/appreciation by Architects leads to “bunker” mentality by engineers……hunker down, wait out the war, and above all…. stay defensive.

Taxonomy of Engineers • Engineer’s Engineer • Fluff & Bluff Engineer • Expert Engineer • Designer-engineer • Fresh out of College engineer • Veteran Project Engineer • Superstar Engineer

Engineering Types Engineer’s Engineer – loves calculations, has tremendous capacity for detail – cannot see the forest for the trees - often misinterprets thrust of questions, etc. Fluff & Bluff Engineer – talks a great game, works well in the conceptual design arena – is derided by peer engineers, high incidence of technical incompetence

Engineering Types Expert Engineer – has depth of theoretical understanding & practical experience in a particular system or issue – is the “go to” person when a thorny issue crops us – can lead a project out of control if not managed. Designer-Engineer – engineer without a degree that came up through the ranks as a CAD drafter then designer – is generally the best resource for physical layout and construction documentation – can make fundamental mistakes.

Engineering Types College Grad – quick to learn, fast on CAD, often highly competent in calculations – absolutely no physical clue as to what they are drawing – REPRESENTS #1 SOURCE OF ENGINEERING AND DOCUMENTATION FOR MOST LARGER FIRMS Veteran – in the business 15+ years, generally okay in all arenas (drawing, specifications, design, client communications, etc. ), has enough war stories to be reasonably careful, can work okay in conceptual study environment, can resolve field problems to conclusion – is known to draw on his/her engineering peers extensively for advice. Superstar – functions well in all arenas – tends to populate top ranks (director, partner, owner) – value diminishes as attention to projects is spread thin

Project Milestones • Project Formation • Block & Stacking • Architectural DDs • Architectural CDs • Value Engineering • Bid & Buy-Out • Construction

Project Formation • Infrastructure Impact • Cost vs. Quality • Budget • Design Schedule • Team Building

Block & Stacking • Know basic elements of Systems (checklist) & (size system) – Make sure everything fits – roughly • Understand “Main” Distribution • Block layout equipment rooms • Note “visible” elements

Architectural DDs • Final system decided • Further Client “Buy-In” • Main Distribution • Final block layouts • Begin Specifications Nothing is Final = Nothing Gets Done

Architectural CDs • Partitions (in stone) Oops…. the duct is 48” deep, not 4”…. . the substation is larger because of HVAC……more plumbing stacks are needed, rooftop dunnage, etc…. . etc…… • Life Safety (ratings & code) • RCP (heights & types) • Lights (layout & selection) • T/E Plans (user & code) • Fixtures (who specs?

Value Engineering • Conceptual Pricing = Limited Use • Once CDs have Started = NO GO • Process can be “gamed” • Quality vs. Cost / Cost vs. Risk

Post Documentation • Bid & Buy-Out – Large or High-Risk Projects • O/A/E/C Team relationship forged • Additional VE Identified • Meetings can reveal E&O in advance – Smaller Projects • Non-formal lines of communication established • Chance to explain design decisions • Litmus test for potential problems

Post Documentation • Construction – Field Issues • Engineers like to review internally • Behind-the-scenes buy-in / communication • Change order environment is key – Field Visits • Informal visits result in better contractor relations • Engineer as resource for installer (sounding board) • Owner gets sense of “coverage”

Err®rs & Omisions • Minor Changes – Fact of Life • No Change Orders / Fee ASRs • Three strikes your out rule • Contractors prefer changes packaged together • Major Changes – “Hold on to your Hats”…. . its EXPENSIVE • YES…. . Change Orders & Fee ASRs • Big Change = Perceived Risk • Systems are interactive – Changes Propagate

Err®rs & Omisions • True Errors – Hard to Pin Down an Engineer • Defense of Career / Reputation • Look for Smoke Screens / Shift on Contractor Opinion • Best Relationships = Open acknowledgment • Reduce the “Defensive Reflex” – Elicit the context of the E&O – Establish the project impact (time & money) – Decide on a “Mutual” strategy

Engineer’s Nightmares • The “non-reality” Architect – Seeks design purity & aesthetic nirvana – Does not appreciate ugly facts of reality • The “change happy” Architect – Designs by Addendum – Kills profit – Increases Risk of being Blamed for COs

Engineer’s Fantasy • An Architect with a Design Vision – Makes entire team stretch beyond normal range – Results in project beyond original conceptions • An Architect that Understands Engineers – Plans space for systems – Orchestrates communication on issues – Knows when to engage & let engineer’s lay low

CAD Coordination Basics • Titleblock – Need as separate file – Need room of our logo & disclaimer language – Need formal issue dates / titles • Demolition Background – Demo partitions on separate layer – Demo RCP on separate layer – Room name/numbers on separate layer – Descriptive text on separate layer

CAD Coordination Basics • New Work Background – Same separation of layers as demo – T/E outlets indicated – special heights ID’d – Lights laid out, tagged & scheduled – catalog cuts available – P fixtures shown – you schedule or we schedule – catalog cuts available – Ceiling heights coordinated – Life safety partition plans indicated – smoke partitions, 1 HR, 2 HR partitions

Coordination Intermediate • Vendor Information – Powered furniture – need power connection details – Special Equipment (lg. copiers, etc) – need cuts – Kitchenettes – Refrigerator, Coffee, Filter, Dishwasher – Kitchens – Kitchen consultant drawings – all info – IT Rooms – Equipment heat loads & power reliability – Reception desks – power in millwork, etc. – Security – power for devices, maglocks, card readers – PA / Etc. – Other misc. systems – Power & Pathways

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