Quote:
Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
It's really frustrating to a project manager because you're trying to keep things on track and on schedule and these "productivity plugs" keep screwing it up. Technically their work is fine (usually, although I've found and had to correct THEIR mistakes before) but their ability to understand concepts like "schedule" and "budget" and "you're-making-us-look-bad-to-the-client" are woefully lacking.
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That's funny because in my firm (less than 100 employees), there is but one project manager that cares about budget and keeping face with the client. The rest of them don't know a damn about the work they assign and expect the bull***** "experts" to waste hours on hours trying to engineer the most simplest thing. Then the PM's push the project out the door...On top of that, my management has found it fit to hire contract engineers that have 20+ years in the industry. Instead of being productive "experts" they soak up hours and produce crap that I have to fix. Yeap, I've got the "I'm good complex," but my designs work, and I take accountability for my work....and the work of other engineers working on my project sometimes.
A seasoned engineer should know the basics. I am constantly "dealing" with engineers because they can't do their own work which generally requires basic engineering. Then I get a blank stare...just before they march back to their desk to spend another hour or two thinking of the next stupid thing to do.
I've got no patience for supposed seasoned engineers that can't do the simpliest engineering. And the contracted guys are getting paid 2-3X what I'm getting paid...just so they can sit on my projects and take half of my day asking stupid questions. Worst is when they come to you for help...then expect you to do the work for them.
Those same idiots love to cooler talk and tell their buddies (we call them the "Whack Pack") how expert they are in all things. And one of them is a Trekkie....goes to conferences and even met his wife at a conference. They spend a good 2-3 hours jerking each other off so they can feel like experts.
I like what Chuck posted: "Ego and competitiveness. All good engineers have plenty of both and we all want to have the answer. The worst engineers I've met let it get in the way of the job at hand. The need to be "right" overwelms the need to arrive at the right answer."
I see some of this everyday...the need to be right which overwhelms good engineering ethics.
I'll add this to the list of worst characteristics for an engineer.
Those that take the stand that "that's the way it was done before...and that's what was on the drawing the client sent."
This requires no engineering. What the hell do we need the engineer for then? A good drafter could have done just that!
Granted some things don't need to be re-engineered, but the above type of engineer doesn't go so far as to question and review the design to see if it fits the current project! Errors from the old way or old drawings are carried forth.
It's a wonder how some of these supposive experts have remained in the industry for so long....I guess when you can bull***** the bull*****er that is your boss....you'll survive.