Sustainable Development and its Importance for Engineers

Sustainable development refers to the kind of development that involves the capacity to fulfill the present needs of the world without compromising on the needs of the future generation (Holden, Linnerud and Banister 2017). The development that encourages the concept of sustainability plays a major role in the overall environment development of the world in which we live. The concept of sustainability for the engineering department refers to the equilibrium state of environment or an environment that encourages little or limited growth which is tolerable (Haapala et al. 2013). The need for the engineers to employ principles and their roles and responsibilities in maintaining so for the sustainable development of the environment is being discussed in the text. 

So What?

Around 1.5 million engineers are engaged the service and the base of engineering studies upholds the notion that engineering practices should bring about changes in the environment that is related to the sustainable growth and development of the population at large. They are involved in the construction of projects that cater to the human needs and can be beneficial to the population in the longer run. They can help in the extraction of natural resources by modifying and reusing the same (Wheeler 2013). They also help to meet the demands and needs of the customers by a number of means. Another contribution of engineering department in the field of sustainable development is the mode of designing and building transportation communication for the betterment of the people.

Positive Impact

• Help to develop sustainable growth in the environment without damaging the prospects of the future generation
• Helps to build greener and safer transportation and communication channels that help to make sure that no pollution and other wastages are done
• Using natural resources in a moderate and conscious manner and intend to reuse the valuable resource materials available on the Earth for a more balanced approach.

Negative Impact

• This can clash with the self-interest of the engineer as this kind of developmental work would not be able to fetch him good profit margin.
• Excessive use of natural resources in projects will exhaust the resources in the longer run.

What else?

Other than the remotely implementing the sustainable methods of developments by the engineers, a detailed course study can be developed for the same at all times. In the world, where development is a must, it must be in association with growth that caters to the needs and fulfillment of the population at a larger scale. Engineers involved in chemical engineering can use the sustainable means of development by indulging in chemical experiments and processes that use sustainable use of the energies and renewable energy sources (Stigka, Paravantis and Mihalakakou 2014). The engineers involved in civil manufacture can use lead-free cementing techniques and less water in the construction to make the product naturally favorable.

What Now?

There are an ample evidence of the implementation of sustainable development in the field of engineering in Australia. The engineers have tried their best in maintaining a proper growth rate in their projects along with benefits that can affect the balance of the environment in the longer run. The invention of projects like hydroponics and Solar Decathlon is beneficial for the conservation of energy and utilizing it in the future. Another challenge that is faced by engineers is the way to minimize the pollution emission by the vehicles in cities causing a huge amount of pollution. Mechanical engineers have developed a cap in order to reduce the level of pollution and maintain the balance and purity of the air. 

Learning outcome 4: Manage information and documentation. 

What?

The term Information Management refers to series of activities that involves the procurement of information from different sources, then keeping the information in a safe custody and finally distributing the information to the relevant sources and people who need it at different conditions (Willcocks 2013). The documentation process refers to the way in which information thus procured has been stored and documented using either electrical or non-electrical means. This process involves a lot of sourcing and keeping the information in a private place for safety and then giving it to the relevant people who need it.

Engineers’ Impact on Society and the Environment

So What?

Information Management can be used in a number of ways, which are stated as follows. One of the most important uses of the concept of Information Management to restore and protect the quality of data along with its accuracy and consistency. It processes improvements in project management and can help to improve the knowledge of data supporting business strategies and other business associated measures. It accesses the business value of information needed across the enterprise incorporating quality and designs in supporting infrastructures (Laudon and Laudon 2016).

The positive effects of Information Management helps in the monitoring of periodic key aspects of KPI. The importance in keeping the information locked and stored in documents is a key factor that help to make the information usable in terms of need. In addition, managing information on a regular basis help to make the work better as the required information needed is stored and supplied only in times of need.

The negative effects of Information Management include the privacy issues that is concerned with the keep and managing the information and managing the documents required in the longer period. If the information kept is not secured and is prone to hacking, then all the documents associated would not be useful for the important work of the organization. 

What else?

Information management should be made on a more secure manner with documentations being done at confidentiality. Better software and imputing techniques should be made viable to the organization and the people associated with it.

What Now?

Information management is on the priority list of most of the organizations dealing with information and privacy sector. Documentations are done in a confidential manner and kept at secrecy (Boemker et al. 2013). The organizations associated with the above cases not only help in maintaining the privacy of the organization but also help to make the process easier by applying simple documentation processes in the whole information  management. The information are managed through a string of processes like applying relevant applications and procedures that help to make the process secured, relevant and user friendly. 

Learning outcome 5: Communicate effectively across a range of contexts. 

What?

Communication is the transfer of information from the sender to the receiver. The process of communication can be either verbal or written depending on the situation and the type of environment the communication is being processed (Broadbent 2013). In a typical engineering firm, formal and professional mode of communication is being utilized as it helps to understand the situation better and maintain the dignity of the organization within the minds of the workers and clients both.

So What?

Communication is an essential part for the working of an organization as without communication, no work can be done in a consistent and reliable manner. It acts as a problem solver and helps to solve a number of difficult and complicated problems within a short period. Communication also eliminates the barriers involved in the process of work and helps to co-accommodate the various principles and working styles of different workers with different working styles coming from a variety of backgrounds. Engineering involves a large amount of communication process both in between clients and employees of a particular organization which benefits the organization work process substantially (Martin and Nakayama 2013). Due to the formal and informal modes of communications, the workers as well as the clients get better interaction with the senior authorities which help in better execution of the work and making the environment liberal with a levied personal touch.

What else?

There are a number of ways to improve communication among different contexts in an organization. One of the principle ways is to make the environment less formal by indulging the employees in recreational activities other than monotonous desk jobs. Implementation of certain rules and regulations and also adherence to the same make the environment of the organization a better place to work for. The authorities and lower groups should maintain a cordial relationship that makes the place less stringent and gives motivation and company loyalty to the employee for better execution of work (Luria and Berson 2013). Communication among different sectors and arenas of employees can also be improved by making improved interactions among them by the conduct of office social gatherings that can help in making interactions with the people of different sectors. Also, another way that is to be recommended which would help in maintaining communication among people of different context is to make sure that all the barriers related to ethnic issues and communication issues should be handled with patience and utmost thought process. Communication among the different context is the key for solving all general issues in an organization that should be treated so.

What Now?

Communication issues is all around the globe in different sectors of workplace but at present due to the intervention of a number of authorities and their trying to reduce the communication gap among different employees, the concept of communication among different contexts is gaining popularity and is being successful in the process. A formal and serious tone is maintained in the communication process of the organizations of different sectors in every field including engineering.

References

Boemker, T., Keller, M., Schock, C., Kleingers, M.E., Huff, P.E., Gieske, T.P., Gersten, J.D. and Danner, J.E., ELYNX Ltd, 2013. Electronic document management system. U.S. Patent 8,572,388.

Broadbent, D.E., 2013. Perception and communication. Elsevier.

Haapala, K.R., Zhao, F., Camelio, J., Sutherland, J.W., Skerlos, S.J., Dornfeld, D.A., Jawahir, I.S., Clarens, A.F. and Rickli, J.L., 2013. A review of engineering research in sustainable manufacturing. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 135(4), p.041013.

Holden, E., Linnerud, K. and Banister, D., 2017. The imperatives of sustainable development. Sustainable Development, 25(3), pp.213-226.

Laudon, K.C. and Laudon, J.P., 2016. Management information system. Pearson Education India.

Luria, G. and Berson, Y., 2013. How do leadership motives affect informal and formal leadership emergence?. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34(7), pp.995-1015.

Martin, J.N. and Nakayama, T.K., 2013. Intercultural communication in contexts. New York: NY: McGraw-Hill.

Stigka, E.K., Paravantis, J.A. and Mihalakakou, G.K., 2014. Social acceptance of renewable energy sources: A review of contingent valuation applications. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 32, pp.100-106.

Wheeler, S.M., 2013. Planning for sustainability: creating livable, equitable and ecological communities. Routledge.

Willcocks, L., 2013. Information management: the evaluation of information systems investments. Springer.