TEPM 032: Navigating the Complexities of Project Management in Engineering

In this episode, I talk with Pedro Constanzo, PE, Vice President at Burns & McDonnell, about his expertise related to project management in engineering, infrastructure design, and specifically military base development. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Pedro: How can stress be managed in multidisciplinary projects while ensuring project success and maintaining motivation, while also managing the stress of team members, both visible and invisible? In your experience with military design, including facilities, infrastructure, and weapon systems, what key challenges have you encountered, and how did you overcome them in these respective fields? In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and AI, can you talk about the latest trends or innovations in military-based development and infrastructure? Do you have a preferred brand for the equipment you use, like the Apple goggles seen on YouTube, or are there specific household brands or names you typically rely on? As a project manager, can you delve into the habits and techniques you incorporate into your project management approach, including any practices you pass on to your team members? Can you share brief insights on how you effectively communicate and encourage collaboration within your team? How do you keep up with new technologies in your industry and decide which ones are beneficial for your projects and team? Reflecting on your journey as a project manager, what advice would you give your younger self when starting in this role? What advice do you have for aspiring engineers or project managers looking to pursue a career like yours and enter the space you're currently in? Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Navigating the Complexities of Project Management in Engineering: Career progression is like juggling, adding more responsibilities over time. Prioritize tasks wisely to avoid dropping essential "glass balls." In leading teams through lengthy projects, maintain motivation through regular engagement, weekly meetings, and a focus on the end goal. Be team-oriented, balancing workloads, and ensure open communication with both the internal team and clients through routine touch points for sustained success. In a project for the Burlington Air National Guard with the F-35 Bed Down program, the team encountered challenges adapting existing infrastructure to support the unique requirements of this advanced fighter aircraft. Analyzing capacities, accommodating specialized power and cooling needs, and adjusting to evolving F-35 specifications were ongoing hurdles. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in focusing on the end goal and cultivating clear communication with clients and user groups throughout the design process. In recent projects like the aircraft hangar at Robbins Air Force Base, the team embraced virtual reality (VR) to enhance collaboration with pilots and maintainers. VR allowed them to walk through the spaces before construction, providing valuable feedback and ensuring the final design met their needs precisely. This innovative approach not only improves communication but also showcases the remarkable navigational skills of pilots in virtual environments. Utilizing the Oculus headset and leveraging various third-party software, the team at Robbins delivered an immersive walkthrough experience for their client. This accessible technology allowed the client's maintainers to tour the facility without requiring additional licenses—just an Oculus headset. The initiative successfully pumped up the maintainers by providing a realistic preview of the upcoming facility, showcasing the effectiveness of the Oculus headset combined with third-party softw...