Tuesday, May 5, 2020

We Are Really Fortunate

We Are Really Fortunate
Robert S. Michaud, P.E. - 5/5/2020


We are really fortunate. Can you imagine if we tried to manage this same pandemic 20 or 30 (or more) years ago? Not only would we all be a lot more starved for entertainment options (no Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, etc.), but we would certainly not have the same opportunity to still be productive at work. For those of us with “essential business” status, part of our challenge has been to adapt to the very different business climate. We have gotten used to video conference calls and virtual meetings, but have we really explored what can be done “virtually” in our workplace. So much of what we, as engineers, do each day revolves around information and data. If we can transmit that data to others electronically, we can find ways to continue to work collaboratively. If you aren’t permitted to allow a contractor or consultant onto your property to investigate or inspect an issue, take photos and video or conduct a video call (Skype or similar) with the consultant on the line. We can find ways to work together and still get the job done.

Time is critical. Each day of this pandemic is troublesome for normal operations, but it can also be a time to address those areas of our facilities that too often get neglected. This is a perfect time to conduct those roof inspections, equipment inspections, general building inspections, audits of the maintenance practices, evaluate and update current maintenance procedures, develop maintenance procedures for those troublesome pieces of equipment that always seem to slip through the cracks, and in general, streamline operations. Having a hard time wrapping your head around these things? Reach out for help. There are resources and experts ready to help, and with today’s technology, we can tackle these challenges in a variety of new ways.

Now, try to think about doing THAT a few decades ago!

© Michaud Engineering Inc. 2020

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