AECPM 054: How to Empower Your Engineering Teams More Effectively

In this episode, I talk with Jacob Borchers, P.E., PMP, vice president at WSP USA, about what it takes to lead successful engineering teams and projects. We dive into why building a solid engineering foundation is crucial, how to empower your team to perform at their best, and the key strategies that drive large-scale project success. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Jacob: How has your role and approach to project management evolved over the years, especially now that you're a vice president? What strategies do you use to effectively manage large project teams, especially when working with multiple partner firms? How do you set up your engineering teams for success right from the beginning? What have you done to create an environment where your team can thrive and perform at their best? Can you tell us about the K96 Improvements project in Wichita and how your team's collaboration has contributed to its success? What challenges have you encountered managing large-scale projects, and how have you overcome them? How do you balance the technical and managerial aspects of your role when handling complex engineering projects? What final piece of advice would you give engineers looking to excel in managing large project teams and advance their careers in project management? Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Empower Your Engineering Teams More Effectively: As project managers progress, the focus naturally shifts from task management and meeting financial metrics to prioritizing leadership and people management. Over time, the realization grows that success isn’t just about hitting schedules or budgets but about empowering the team, clearing obstacles, and delegating effectively to support growth and maintain project efficiency. A key strategy is ensuring that the right people are in the right roles. Understanding the personalities and strengths of each team member ensures they complement each other. By promoting team compatibility and clearly defining responsibilities, a strong foundation is created for project success, particularly when collaborating with multiple partner firms. Success begins with setting clear expectations and allowing the team the autonomy to work without micromanagement. Ensuring everyone knows their role and what’s expected from the start creates a trusting environment. Recognizing and appreciating contributions, both internally and in front of clients, keeps the team motivated and aligned. Creating an environment where the team thrives involves setting clear goals and allowing team members the freedom to deliver results in their own way. Showing appreciation, both in internal meetings and in front of clients, builds trust and motivates everyone to perform at their best. The K96 Improvements project is a great example of how collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including the city and state, can lead to innovative solutions. Maintaining open communication and leveraging diverse perspectives allows the team to address infrastructure challenges and support the city’s rapid growth with new and efficient engineering solutions. One of the biggest challenges in large-scale projects is managing complexity, which requires clear and effective collaboration from the start. On the K96 project, a "Tiger team" of discipline leads and key stakeholders was assembled early on, allowing streamlined decision-making and avoiding delays. This approach quickly aligned everyone on the final solution. Balancing technical and managerial tasks is a constant challenge, but it’s about recognizing where the most value can be added. While there might be an interest in diving into the technica...