The changing role of the structural engineer

By Evelyn Storey

1986 to 2016

30 years of change

Our world is disrupted

The fundamentals that have shaped structural engineering over the last three decades no longer apply

Design is no longer a sequential process

Traditional team structures are being replaced

Tasks that once took many man-months of design team effort are being processed by a computer in a matter of hours or minutes…

…and our clients’ needs are also changing

Engineering is changing

So what does this mean for today’s Structural Engineering Graduates?

What does it mean for those of us already here and looking to survive and thrive?

The 4th Industrial Revolution

Technological developments Artificial intelligence Machine-learning Robotics Nanotechnology 3D printing/manufacturing

Impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution

Timeframe for disruptionImpact felt already 2015-2017 2018-2020

• Advances in computing power and Big Data

• Crowdsourcing and the sharing economy

• Rapid urbanization• Flexible work

environments

• New energy supplies and technologies

• The Internet of Things

• Advanced manufacturing, 3D printing

• Advanced robotics• Autonomous

transport• Artificial

intelligence• Machine learning

Source: World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs

Standardising of procedures

Technological disruptions, such as artificial intelligence and machine-learning may replace many traditional roles previously undertaken by structural engineers.

The ASCE estimates that standards and codes define 95% of the structures being constructed today

Globalisation

Global competition Cloud computing Flexible work environments Crowd sourced solutions

The future of engineering consulting

Consultancies offering total business solutions across a range of markets, or

Smaller niche structural engineering consultants, focussing on traditional design, or

Delivery of specialities outside the scope of prescriptive standards and codes, such as performance based design, risk management or asset management

The future of structural engineering

Structural engineers have long been leaders in adopting technological solutions to address engineering problems

It is highly likely that structural engineers will also be at the forefront of the 4th Industrial Revolution

Structural engineering in 2020

Our added value is in tasks which cannot be automated‒ interpreting the client brief

(empathy), ‒ adding elegance and/or delight

(creativity)‒ testing and making judgements

regarding alternative solutions (innovation) and risk management.

Implications for graduates A firm grasp of conceptual

engineering fundamentals Alternative mechanisms for

mastering key concepts behind the tools.

Unlikely to need to recall detailed factual knowledge.

Will actively participate in the advancement of technology —either as drivers or creators or creative users

…and find a sensible balance between human and machine

The future of education

Arguably, the world has taken decades to create the systems and institutions needed to develop the skills sets required by new innovations

This is no longer an option

The future of work…

1. Complex problem solving2. Critical thinking3. Creativity4. People Management5. Coordinating with others6. Emotional Intelligence7. Judgement and Decision Making8. Service Orientation9. Negotiation10. Cognitive flexibility

We are currently preparing students for jobs and

technologies that don’t yet exist . . .

In order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems

yet.

“ShiftHappens” Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod

Top 10 skills for disruption

1. Complex problem solving2. Coordinating with others3. People Management4. Critical thinking5. Negotiation6. Quality control7. Service orientation8. Judgement and decision making9. Active listening10. Creativity

1. Complex problem solving2. Critical thinking3. Creativity4. People Management5. Coordinating with others6. Emotional Intelligence7. Judgement and Decision Making8. Service Orientation9. Negotiation10. Cognitive flexibility

2015 2020

Source: Top 10 Skills, World Economic Forum, 2016

Top skills for future structural engineers

1. Complex problem solving2. Coordinating with others3. People Management4. Critical thinking5. Negotiation6. Quality control7. Service orientation8. Judgement and decision making9. Active listening10. Creativity

1. Complex problem solving2. Critical thinking3. Creativity4. People Management5. Coordinating with others6. Emotional Intelligence7. Judgement and Decision Making8. Service Orientation9. Negotiation10. Cognitive flexibility

Evolving technical skills Creativity Resilience and

empathy

Communication and

collaborationCritical thinking Niche skills

So how do structural engineers stay ahead of disruption?

The route to the future is through creativity and innovation and our ability to deal with ambiguity – not through labour

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