Application of design elements for an engineering community in a multi-sector engineering company

Abstract

The efficient and effective engineering of industrial plants has a high impact on the success of numerous companies. Core of engineering activities is to accurately cover the requirements of the customer and design and build a perfectly fitting solution. Due to the one-time character of these projects, time and money can be saved by a reuse of knowledge from former projects as well as a strong methodology to execute these complex projects. The need for an efficient exchange of knowledge and further development of engineering methods (e.g. resource planning, training concepts, cross-country collaboration) has been recognized by many companies on a top level. At the same time there is currently no consistent approach, how to involve the experience of a broad engineering community in the development and implementation of efficient methods. This work describes an approach which closes the gap between a grown "community of practice" and a top-down initiative for the development of engineering methods and structured knowledge exchange. It ensures the deep involvement of experienced engineers from a vivid community for exchange and feedback. Three formerly described design principles (stakeholders, infrastructure, content and activities) of a community-based initiative have been applied to in a multi-sector engineering company.