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Back to Basics Constituency Engineers

Back to Basics Constituency Engineers

Back to Basics Constituency Engineers

(OP)
Big changes are reported in the way the city of Birmingham (UK) is run organising local engineering constituency offices to respond more quickly to local needs, involve local people in running their local area and create a more streamlined strategic authority.  They want Engineers with a flair for communication and commitment to drive improvements in the physical environment in our neighbourhoods to bring Highways and Transportation Service closer to the communities of Birmingham.

"These are rewarding opportunities to make a real difference to local street matters. We’ll count on you to respond to service enquiries and requests, managing and delivering all service needs relating to your constituency’s street scene. It’s a role that’s ideal for a professional manager with technical experience of street scene improvements, including procurement and working with contractors, elected Members and the public. As the lead officer reporting to the Constituency Committee on highway and transportation matters, you’ll also need good interpersonal and communication skills and the flair for leadership to manage, motivate and develop a small team."

Engineers In these roles will concentrate on evaluating and prioritising highway service needs within the constituency, responding to a wide range of service enquiries and requests.  They need technical experience in assessing, designing and implementing highway improvement schemes and experience of using computer-based design packages. Good interpersonal and communication skills, including writing letters and technical reports and presenting information at meetings, are key to delivering an effective service to the public and Members.

Perhaps other work organisers might soon decide that engineers are the best people to get work done.  Especially in areas where infrastructure is so run-down it needs a complete rebuild.  How about North American cities looking at this concept?

RE: Back to Basics Constituency Engineers

How about North American cities looking at this concept?

Are they?

****

My thoughts are brought to the "Big Dig" that Boston is currently working through.  However, it probably does not reflect well on the engineering work involved, as the project has cost tens of millions more than anticipated (and budgeted for).

My scope and knowledge is very narrow on this subject, however.

RE: Back to Basics Constituency Engineers

Does this mean that Birmingham is rejecting the Matrix Management approach with Integrated Synergy in a flat level strategy of core requirements, so favoured by PR and Management Consultants, and, gulp, actually thinking of the service they provide?
Engineers may be the best people to do the work but I fear the result can only be a long line of management consultants at the unemployment office with their laptops and PDAs at the ready. Hurrah.

corus

RE: Back to Basics Constituency Engineers

bigdig original budget:
$2.6 Billion

current cost:
$14.6 Billion

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