Insights
Bite-sized, industry insights
Volunteering for the engineering community: A multi-faceted approach
We sat down with Shehani and she shared how her passion for volunteering grew, and gave us the details about her multi-faceted approach.
Insights from Elisha Harris, Director
We sat down with Elisha and asked her questions about a wide range of topics, including Harris Kmon Solutions’ core values, supporting the engineering pipeline, female representation in a traditionally male-dominated industry, and inclusion in the workplace.
Intern to Engineer
James started with us as a student intern and quickly progressed to an undergraduate employee while he finished his final year. We were so excited when he completed his studies and became a full time Graduate employee.
Choosing the right contractor
Choosing the right contractor isn’t as simple as basing your decision on price alone. A thorough assessment of all aspects of submissions received should be undertaken, with price merely a part of forming your choice of the winning contractor.
Remember the old adage - you get what you pay for!
The misunderstanding of "Design Development and Construct"
A project is like an iceberg – the end result is just the tip. There is an immense amount of thought, effort and preparation that goes on under the surface and mislabeling the procurement type can put cracks in the ice.
NT’s introduction of Independent Third Party Review for structural designs
The fact that a structure has stood for the past 20 years without a problem is not an indication that the engineer was being overly cautious, nor is it an indication of a compliant design. It just means that in the past 20 years, the holes in the cheese didn’t line up.
Planning your ABCs
Raising children and working a fulfilling career should not have to battle. Many choose to put one on hold to prioritise the other, many feel forced into that decision. There’s no instruction manual for the perfect ‘balance’, but here’s Sinead’s thoughts.
The irony of avoiding problems to reduce stress
When there’s a problem on your project, you can either deal with it or you can avoid it. If you’re the type to avoid it, this article is for you.
Avoiding "Next Year Delivery" from manufacturers
Many of the reasons we experience supply chain delays are common, and this commonality makes them predictable. So what can we do to ensure that equipment arrives when we need it?
Well it stood up for the past 20 years
The fact that a structure has stood for the past 20 years without a problem is not an indication that the engineer was being overly cautious, nor is it an indication of a compliant design. It just means that in the past 20 years, the holes in the cheese didn’t line up.
Connecting the dots on your client's social agenda
As government tenders continue to shift to require more social benefits for their local communities, it’s important for consultancies to understand their role and what they can do to stand out.
Is your project brief full of holes?
Properly briefing Consultants is key to the success of your project and ensures that they can provide the services you require in the time and at the price needed.
How to do less work and get more done
Projects Managers have the habit of overcomplicating projects. Aside from creating more unnecessary work, overcomplicating projects often ends in failure. So how do you know what to let go of in order to simplify a project?
Identifying, preventing and resolving contract disputes
A project manager should know how to mitigate conflict by being able to identify the resolution that has the least impact on the project timeline, budget, and quality.
Investing in local expertise does not mean ignoring shortcomings
Is Buying Local a great policy that delivers long-lasting community benefits or just a set of rules to be worked around?
Let there be light meters
Why would you spend $1,000+ on a light meter when there are ones available for less than $50?
Here’s our thoughts, from the perspective of an engineer and not a salesman.
How to do your to-do list
As a business owner, engineer, project manager, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, wannabe runner, lover of cooking and eater of too much takeaway, I certainly do not have all the answers to managing time. What I do have is a work ‘to-do list’ and a strategy of how to prioritise it.
Why email should not be your primary form of communication
There are so many aspects to communication that we are taught in project management, however as the world we are living in is becoming progressively more digital, that’s all changing. While email is a fantastic tool for transferring information, it is not a medium designed to completely replace conversation.
How to activate your project team
A good project team is versatile and full of potential but without the right leadership and resources, they won’t be engaged in your project.
Tender documents should clarify, not confuse
When every organisation has their own templates and each person has their own style, tender documents skew the definition of ‘contract’. If tender documents are designed to clarify scope, prevent conflict and reduce risk, why are they often so poorly written?