Bringing Value Back to Consulting Engineering

In a previous blog, I discussed the lack of perceived value in the architectural and engineering (AE) consulting business. The problem statement was: Why are fees and services declining relative to other players in the construction space?

Many in the consulting biz lament the downward pressure on fees, conversations with clients about the minimum services and level of design they really need, and the decreasing scope of involvement of the consultant. I argued that the root cause of this was the declining relevance of the services and skills that we offer to the client embarking on a significant construction project.

The brachistochrone execution plan Has A slow start but a fast finish

Because you clicked on a blog with a title like "Solving The Brachistochrone Problem in Construction," you must be naturally inquisitive. That’s great, because you're the kind of people we need in construction if we are going to solve the time, labor, and cost problems that we all wrestle with every day. Inquisitive people are always looking to learn new tricks and evaluate new approaches. 

Hopefully I will be able to reward your curiosity by explaining the Brachistochrone Problem and how to solve it in the construction process with a well-executed Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) approach combined with an aggressive prefabrication plan.

A Hard Look AT Consulting Engineering CYA Notes And 3 Tips To Avoid Them

I recently discussed the lack of perceived value in the architectural and engineering consulting business (AE) in a previous blog post. The problem statement was: Why are fees and services declining relative to other players in the construction space?

I previously mentioned that our industry’s pivot away from a primary focus on quality deliverables to a primary focus on managing liability has negatively impacted both our culture and our value to our customers and end users.

Returning Value to the Consulting Engineering Profession

I was recently sent this article from the Architectural Record by one of my consultant friends with whom I often commiserate about the struggles of being a design professional in today’s market. The article discusses the “race to the bottom” in the past ten years or so by the professional consulting industry (just replace the word “architect” in the article with “consulting engineer” and all the themes still apply).