2017 Issue

33 801.250.4080 2990 South Davis Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 www.archermech.com Your Partner in the Mechanical Industry 3D COORDINATION PLUMBING HVAC PIPING FABRICATION RETROFITS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PROCESS PIPING MEDICAL BUDGETARY PROPOSALS DESIGN COST GUIDANCE SERVICES occurred on a south facing slope above 9,500 feet. [Mark Staples, Utah Avalanche Center, 2016] Engineers working under the challenges of meeting cost goals and schedules can be tempted to circumvent or shortcut the rules of the systems engineering process. Often, in the absence of an authority enforcing these rules there are no negative consequences. Past successes rein- force the idea that the process is too cumbersome, unnec- essary or is not “value-added.” Until it isn’t. One aspect of avalanche education doesn’t readily have a mirror in engineering education. Students are made constantly aware of possible cognitive bias they may have. We’re taught to consider the group dynamics, the possible psychological effect of a busy work week, and the relative levels of experience and confidence of the individuals in the group. Our instructor also encouraged us to avoid giving anyone an “expert halo” and coaxed us to question the group’s decisions. One of the assistant instructors tried to get the students to speak up as she guided us closer and closer to uncertain terrain. Eventually, she routed us to a safer route, but afterwards reminded us not to be too trusting of anyone. Engineers should be similarly aware of the potential for bias. Too often we commit to a solution, or disregard facts that don’t confirm what we already believe, or are con- vinced that a string of luck is actually skill. People don’t often get caught in avalanches either, but when they do the consequences are immediate. The system that protects from avalanche danger has many parallels to the systems engineering process, and they both have proven records of success. We would do well to study both seriously. For more information on avalanche safety, please visit the Utah Avalanche Center’s webpage at: https://utahavalanchecenter.org/ Scott Stebbins works for BAE Systems, supporting a legacy weapon system. He is the Vice Chair for the Utah Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and on the UEC board. When he’s not at work, he likes to go climbing and hiking with his wife.