The simplified formula of communication in engineering industry
How do we define communication? What makes communication the first skill that engineers need to be expert of? Much have been written about communication and it would be remiss to discuss engineering skills without reference to the essential features of communication from a professional perspective.
In engineering, effective communication is a necessity. It enables the work of individuals to be completely coordinated. Effective communication means to send a clear and unambiguous message to the receptive audience. The message must be comprehensive and must be delivered with its intended effect.
We understood that as engineers, most of our time are spent in brainstorming, coordination meetings, writing reports, memos and other documents, sending e-mails and making telephone calls. It then makes communication a vital skill for engineers.
As many engineering jobs are heavily project-based, it is an essential that engineers are able to coordinate, prioritize and schedule multiple tasks, resources and projects in order to comply with the project timeframe and achieve the objectives. This all rests on a foundation of effective and efficient communication.
Communication in engineering is on a daily basis. Effective communication in engineering is critical to ensure that all project participants are on the same page. A key to success of any engineering project is transparency of communication. Communication must be open, accessible to all concerns, and devoid of agendas.
Because engineering works are also technical, it even makes more important for engineers to have good communication skills. Highly valued communication skills encompass the ability to create technical documents, instructions and manuals that are clear, detailed and accurate. Engineering teams and the project as a whole rely on resources and documentation, so the ability to manage, update and disseminate the many documents, manuals and specifications required for a project is essential.
Communication is perhaps the most important aspect in managing any engineering project. There must be a regular process of communication within the engineering team. Regular team meetings, e-mails, progress reports, and the like must be integral parts of every project. The ultimate responsibility of communication rests with the engineers.
Improving the communication process
Here are some tips to consider to improve your communication skills and the communication process overall:
✅ 1. Simplify the message. In order to ensure your message is properly understood, you should keep your language simple and concise. Make the structure of the message coherent and direct to the point.
✅ 2. Know your audience. It is equally important to know the audience that will receive your message. Consider their cultural identity as well as their needs and interests. What is their ‘state of mind’? How do they perceive?
✅ 3. Ask questions. It is essential to ask good questions to keep the communication flowing. Create questions that are insightful and engaging. Solicit additional and contributing inputs.
✅ 4. Be a good listener. It is important to actively listen to what those around you are saying. The engineering workplace is composed of multitude of professionals where everyone has some ideas to share. Learn to listen to them. This will ensure that you are sending the right message.
✅ 5. Consider your body language. If you are communicating orally, it is important to be mindful of your body language. Engineers most of the time conduct project presentation. Be aware of your body language and your gestures. Consider also making eye contact with the people you are communicating with. This manifests that you are listening attentively.
✅ 6. Take the time to respond. When communicating, it is important to consider how you might reply to a person to ensure you know what you want to say. Take time to respond to inquiries, give answers to questions, and confirm or provide further information.
✅ 7. Clarify your message. Clarify your message even when no one asks for it, especially during oral conversation. This will help the receiver to better understand you.
The bottomline? Your communication skills is a significant parameter for career prospects, the value you bring to your company, and the likelihood of your promotion. Learn how to communicate more effectively. Strong communication is the cornerstone for thriving businesses, the foundation for fostering healthy relationships in the workplace and pursuing your career success as engineer.
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