The Chartership Forum

LEARNING MODULE / 03 OF 07

Practise engineering judgement

Competence is visible in how you handle uncertainty, constraints and consequences.

In this guide

Why it matters

Competence is visible in how you handle uncertainty, constraints and consequences.

What you will understand

  • Describe the engineering question before the answer.
  • Compare options and assumptions.
  • State what was checked, who approved the decision and what remained uncertain.

Core material

Real projects rarely supply a perfectly complete set of facts. A useful account explains what you knew, what you needed to find out and why the chosen action was proportionate. Draw on calculations, site observations, reviews and the expertise of others without claiming their decisions as your own.

Engineering example

A design assumption changes after a site investigation. The useful evidence is the options reconsidered, the check performed, the recommendation made and the decision owner.

Reflection questions

  1. Which assumption was most important?
  2. What result would have changed your recommendation?

Practical exercise

Take one decision from current work. Record the question, two plausible options, the check that distinguished them and the remaining uncertainty.

Related resource

Engineering judgement