Competence and Commitment of Chartered Engineers
 

Chartered Engineers must be competent, by virtue of their initial formation and throughout their working life, to:

A         Use a combination of general and specialist engineering knowledge and understanding to optimise the application of existing and emerging technology.
This includes an ability to:

A.1            maintain a sound theoretical approach in enabling the introduction of new and advancing technology and other relevant developments. The Chartered Engineer:
 

A.1.1       identifies limits of personal knowledge, understanding and skills and continually strives to extend capabilities  by accessing and exploiting all relevant personal and professional development sources;

A.1.2       exercises information retrieval skills to keep abreast of current and future technological or other relevant developments;

A.1.3       broadens knowledge base through the Internet, the media,  professional journals, attendance at professional seminars and networking;

A.1.4       deepens knowledge base systematically through research and experimentation.

A.2            apply a creative problem solving approach.  The Chartered Engineer:
 

A.2.1       identifies and agrees customer, user and community requirements;

A.2.2       exercises creativity and initiative in investigating, analysing and conceptualising possible solutions to achieve objectives;

A.2.3       analyses promising concepts for final solution to assess impacts of factors such as performance, reliability and maintainability and customer satisfaction.

A.3            look for ways of exploiting emerging  technologies to enhance current practices and to ensure  continuing fitness for purpose of engineered products and services.   The Chartered Engineer:

A.3.1       extends knowledge of related disciplines or fields and fosters co-operation across discipline boundaries to identify future potential opportunities;

A.3.2       assesses potential impact of emerging technologies;

A.3.3       identifies opportunities to apply emerging technologies to existing products and processes.  

 

A4        promote innovation and  technology transfer.  The Chartered Engineer:

A.4.1    assesses user acceptance and future requirements; 

 

A.4.2   investigates needs and exploits opportunities for the transfer of technology within a particular industry or area of expertise, taking appropriate actions to secure the value of intellectual property;

A.4.3   promotes new applications internally and externally when appropriate;

A.4.4    assesses marketing needs and contributes to marketing strategies.


B         Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering problems.  This includes an ability to:

B.1             identify potential projects and opportunities.  The Chartered Engineer:

                       B.1.1   reviews external developments to assess applicability to areas of responsibility;

 

B.1.2   continually reviews potential for enhancement of products and services;

B.1.3    identifies the complexities of the potential projects and problems;

                        B.1.4   exercises original thought in synthesising satisfactory outcomes to engineering challenges;

 

                        B.1.5   utilises knowledge of employer’s commercial position to assess viability of projects.

 

B.2             conduct appropriate research, and undertake design and development of possible solutions.  The Chartered Engineer:

B.2.1       demonstrates potential solutions by physical or computer models using  mathematical analysis,  computer simulations or other modelling techniques;

 

B.2.2   analyses promising concepts for final design to assess impacts of factors such as performance, reliability and maintainability.

 

B.2.3   undertakes cost-benefit and risk analyses, feasibility studies and life-cycle costing to produce a workable design;           

 

B.2.4    uses appropriate engineering and technological aids;

 

 

B.3             plan and implement solutions, taking a holistic approach to cost, benefits, safety,  reliability, appearance and environmental impact. The Chartered Engineer:

B.3.1       prepares and recommends for implementation a documented proposal to meet client or manufacturing requirements;

 

B.3.2       prepares test schedules for performance and physical environmental testing, oversees testing, analyses test results and recommends or arranges tests;

B.3.3       identifies possible problem areas and negotiates modifications or adaptations as necessary;

B.3.4       takes corrective action to overcome any shortcomings revealed.


B.4             evaluate the solutions and make improvements.  The Chartered Engineer:

B.4.1       determines impact on design of factors such as production, construction, installation, commissioning, life cycle implications, logistic support and training of users;

B.4.2       participates in consultation with affected parties on product or process  evaluation;

B.4.3       evaluates the solution against the specification;

B.4.4       identifies potential improvements and ensures that they meet the specification, are practicable and are implemented.

 

C         Provide technical, commercial  and managerial leadership.  This includes an ability to:

C.1             plan for effective project implementation.  The Chartered Engineer:

C.1.1       prepares and agrees the development of a project proposal;

C.1.2       negotiates adequate resource provision;    

C.1.3       determines methods of approach and  analyses work to be performed to provide the basis for resource estimates, applying appropriate project management techniques;

C.1.4       makes appropriate contractual arrangements with customers, suppliers and partners to secure employer’s commercial position;

C.1.5       recognises the competence of others, including non-engineering specialists, and uses them to secure project delivery.

 

C.2             Plan, budget, organise, direct and control tasks, people or resources. The Chartered Engineer:

C.2.1       sets and implements work objectives and priorities, including time, resource and cost estimates;

C.2.2       organises work teams, exercising leadership over other engineers, technical or other personnel where  required;

C.2.3       monitors tasks to ensure activities are performed as planned, and takes corrective action as required;

C.2.4       recognises, interprets and applies appropriate regulations.

C.3             develop the capabilities of staff to meet the demands of changing technical and managerial requirements.  The Chartered Engineer:

C.3.1       contributes to identifying and determining training needs;

C.3.2       develops training plans for subordinates;

C.3.3       implements experiential development programs for subordinates, including workforce retraining, adaptation to new technology and skills extension tasks;

C.3.4       participates in reviews of effectiveness of work-place training programmes.

C.4             bring about continuous improvement through quality management.   The Chartered Engineer:

 

C.4.1       contributes to implementation of quality system;

C.4.2       fosters the acceptance by subordinates and colleagues of quality management principles;

C.4.3       performs work to appropriate quality standards;

C.4.4       applies quality control and assurance techniques.

 

D.    Use effective communication and interpersonal skills.  This includes an ability to:

D.1            work and communicate with others at all levels.  The Chartered Engineer:

D.1.1       develops good personal relationships appropriate to the level of communication;

D.1.2       communicates effectively in the English language and in other languages if circumstances dictate;

D.1.3       takes part in discussions ensuring two way effective communication;

D.1.4       liaises with colleagues and experts within and beyond the organisation;

D.1.5       responds effectively and efficiently to all received communication.

 

D.2            effectively present and discuss ideas and plans.  The Chartered Engineer:

D.2.1       clarifies objectives, identifies main purpose, and selects appropriate medium for  communication;

D.2.2       prepares and presents lectures and reports, and publishes papers at a professional level;

D.2.3       selects appropriate methods of communication using words, images, audio and video, as appropriate;

D.2.4       communicates fluently in written and oral expression at an experienced professional standard;

D.3            build teams and negotiate.   The Chartered Engineer:

D.3.1       identifies collective goals and responsibilities;

D.3.2       works towards collective goals;
 

D.3.3       creates, maintains and enhances effective working relationships;

D.3.4       issues clear and accurate instructions to subordinates as appropriate; 

D.3.5       develops teams, individuals and self to enhance performance;

D.3.6      undertakes negotiation, conflict resolution, counselling, exchanging ideas and conveying convictions and attitudes.




E         Make a personal commitment to live by the appropriate code of professional conduct, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment.  In order to satisfy this commitment, they must:

E.1             comply with the Codes and Rules of Conduct. Chartered Engineers:

E.1.1        place responsibility for the welfare, health and safety of the community at all times before responsibility to the profession, to sectional interests, or to other engineers;

E.1.2        comply with Codes of Conduct;

E.1.3        apply professional skill in the interests of employer or client, for whom they act, in professional matters, as a faithful agent or trustee;

E.1.4        give evidence, express opinions or make statements in an objective and truthful manner and on the basis of adequate knowledge.

E.2             manage and apply safe systems of work.  The Chartered Engineer:

E.2.1        takes account of potential professional risks and liabilities, and accepts responsibility for them;

E.2.2        implements appropriate occupational health and safety requirements;

E.2.3        investigates community safety requirements and acts to solve any incipient safety problems;

E.2.4        takes appropriate precautions when dealing with hazardous operations;

E.2.5        takes account of disaster prevention, mitigation and recovery methods.

E.3             undertake their engineering work in compliance with the Codes of Practice on Risk and the Environment.   The Chartered Engineer:

E.3.1        promotes the actions required in engineering practice to improve, sustain and restore the environment;

E.3.2        promotes the wise use of non-renewable resources through waste minimisation, recycling and the development of alternatives wherever possible;

E.3.3        strives to achieve the beneficial objectives of engineering work with the lowest possible consumption of raw materials and energy, and by adopting sustainable management practices;

E.3.4        takes account of total life-cycle implications of products and projects in relation to the environment.

E.4             carry out the continuing professional development necessary to ensure competence in their areas of future intended practice.   The Chartered Engineer:

E.4.1        undertakes professional development to enhance technical and management competence;

E.4.2        sets goals to achieve personal and organisational objectives;

E.4.3        prepares and maintains a career action plan;

E.4.4        maintains records of professional development activities.