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The fundamental difference between competence and excellence in
engineering lies not
with a difference in
technical knowledge, but with a difference in philosophy.
In truth, a
relatively high level of technical skill is required simply to
achieve
competence. And, although increased technical knowledge (beyond
the lowest
level of competence) is generally achieved through academic
training or
experience…crossing the continental divide between the
highest level of
competence and genuine excellence requires “something
more” than time
& training. These observations form the foundation upon which
Coad
Engineering Enterprises is built.
Engineering
philosophy
is rarely taught in engineering curricula. In the study of
arts and sciences, engineering
philosophy is seldom, if ever, discussed.
But, consider for a
moment, the
true significance of engineering philosophy.
Engineering
design is
the essence of creative art. The design engineer sets out not to
“create”
a painting or sculpture, for observation or enjoyment…but to
create a
machine or a structure that performs a practical service
for
mankind.
The engineer uses
the laws of physics as his palette, and the design parameters as
his
canvas. With this “palette and canvas,” the
“creations of his mind”
produce a product which works (hopefully) for the benefit of
mankind.
The engineer of
competence generally contributes in an evolutionary way
– working
with what others have created before him - improving, modifying
and
generally “tweaking” the available technology (usually
for some commercial
reason). This evolutionary
cycle tends to change the original creations over time…but
interestingly, not
necessarily for the better.
Often, this evolutionary process, because it has been
misdirected
along the way, tends to proceed in the wrong direction, with
latent or
potential benefits lost.
In contrast,
the
engineer of excellence continually re-examines the
situation and
asks the question vital to genuine progress– is this
product, machine or
system (which has evolved) truly applicable to today’s
needs?
If the answer is “No,” the
engineer of excellence redefines the needs (the design parameters)
and,
building on the knowledge of the past, revisits the fundamentals -
and by
application of the laws of physics, conceives the ideal solution,
thereby
advancing the state of the art through innovation.
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