ECC1101 Engineering Communication and Ethics

Flashcards covering engineering communication principles, report writing, technical proposals, field inspections, consulting reports, and engineering ethics from ECC1101.

How is communication formally defined in the context of engineering?

The process of transmitting information, ideas, instructions, and receiving feedback from one person to another so that information is received, processed, and acted upon.

What is the function of feedback in the communication cycle?

It is the response provided by the audience that confirms whether the message was understood as intended and serves as the measure of communication effectiveness.

What is noise in communication, and what are common examples of it?

Noise is anything that inhibits communication or acts as a barrier that slows down the channel. Examples include syntactic errors (poor grammar), semantic issues and jargon, environmental factors, organizational barriers, ambiguity, missing context, wrong channel, lack of feedback, health issues, and domestic issues.

Approximately what percentage of an engineer's working time is spent communicating?

$$20\text{--}50\%$$

In the engineering communication cycle, what method and outcome correspond to the function of 'Investigate'?

Method: Field note; Outcome: What was observed?

In the engineering communication cycle, what method and outcome correspond to the function of 'Analyse'?

Method: Technical Report; Outcome: What does it mean?

In the engineering communication cycle, what method and outcome correspond to the function of 'Decide'?

Method: Proposal/memorandum; Outcome: What should be done?

What are the three primary modes of engineering communication and their typical media?

Written (provides a durable record, e.g., email, memorandum, letters, notices, books); Oral (fast relay of information, e.g., face-to-face conversations, phone calls, meetings, presentations); Visual (uses symbols and graphical elements, e.g., traffic signs, graphs, charts, maps, diagrams).

What are the five essential qualities of engineering information?

1. Clear: Easy to understand without causing confusion.
2. Concise: Gives necessary information in as few words as reasonably possible.
3. Accurate: Free from factual, calculation, spelling, grammatical, or technical errors.
4. Complete: Contains all information needed for understanding or taking action.
5. Professional: Uses an appropriate tone, language, and format for the audience.

How do technical writing and academic writing differ across key attributes?

Technical writing is practical, action-oriented, audience-focused, and collaborative. Academic writing is theoretical, research-oriented, intended for scholars, and individualized.

What three principles form the foundational formula for effective technical writing?

$$\text{Effective Technical Writing} = \text{Clarity} + \text{Conciseness} + \text{Coherence}$$

What are the concise replacements for the wordy phrases 'due to the fact that', 'in order to', and 'at this point in time'?

'Due to the fact that' becomes 'Because'; 'in order to' becomes 'To'; 'at this point in time' becomes 'Now'.

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice in engineering technical writing?

When the actor is unknown, the actor is not important, or the emphasis must be placed specifically on the process or result (e.g., 'Concrete samples were tested at 28 days').

What is the recommended standard report structure for technical documentation?

1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Methodology
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion

What is a technical report and what is its target audience?

A permanent document used to present technical and scientific research and information to an audience that includes engineers, managers, decision-makers, and contractors.

What are the key length, structural content, and writing requirements of an abstract in a technical report?

It must be concise ($150\text{--}250$ words), summarize the objectives, methods, results, and conclusion, be written last but placed first, and avoid technical jargon.

What grammatical tenses should be used respectively in the Results and Discussion sections of a technical report?

The Results section uses the past tense; the Discussion section uses the present tense.

What is a technical proposal and what is its primary aim?

A formal document or request outlining how an engineer plans to solve a problem, presented to a sponsor, client, or academic body. Its aim is persuasive: to convince reviewers and obtain approval or funding.

What does the 'scope' of an engineering project define?

The boundaries of the project, explicitly stating what is included (in-scope) and, equally important, what is not included (out-of-scope).

What is the typical percentage range allocated for contingency in a technical proposal budget?

$$5\text{--}15\%$$

What four elements are documented in an engineering proposal risk management table?

1. Risk
2. Likelihood
3. Impact
4. Mitigation Measure

What is a field inspection?

A systematic on-site examination conducted by engineers or inspectors to verify that construction work, materials, and site conditions comply with design specifications, standards, and safety requirements.

According to this organizational chart, what is the reporting hierarchy from the Client down to the Workers on a construction site?

Client / Owner $\uparrow$ Consultant / Engineer $\uparrow$ Project Manager / Resident Engineer $\uparrow$ Site Inspector $\leftrightarrow$ Contractor's Construction Manager $\downarrow$ Site Superintendent / Foremen $\downarrow$ Workers / Labourers

What four personal protective equipment (PPE) items are standard when preparing for a field inspection?

Hard hat, safety vest, safety goggles, and safety boots.

How do Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) differ in engineering monitoring?

Quality Assurance (QA) is a proactive process focused on preventing defects by ensuring proper processes and standards are followed. Quality Control (QC) is a reactive process focused on identifying defects in the final product through inspection and testing.

How do a Field Inspection Report and a Progress Report differ in primary focus and time orientation?

Primary focus: Field Inspection Report focuses on what is observed on-site; Progress Report focuses on what was achieved over time. Time orientation: Field Inspection Report reflects conditions at the time of inspection; Progress Report tracks achievement across an entire reporting period.

How do consulting reports and technical reports differ in purpose, tone, and end section?

Purpose: Consulting reports solve a client's problem and persuade; technical reports present research or field data. Tone: Consulting reports are persuasive; technical reports are objective. End section: Consulting reports end with recommendations for action; technical reports end with conclusions about findings.

In the East Bank Highway traffic case study, why did the client reject the consulting report, and what does 'LOS C' actually mean?

The client rejected the report due to unexplained technical jargon, incorrectly assuming 'LOS C' meant severe gridlock. In reality, Level of Service (LOS C) represents stable traffic flow with noticeable restrictions in freedom of movement.

How does Poel (2015) define Engineering Ethics?

"The study of the moral values, issues and decisions involved in engineering practice."

Under the PEO Code of Ethics, what are the primary entities to whom a professional engineer owes a duty?

Society/the public, employers, clients, colleagues (including employees and subordinates), the engineering profession, and him- or herself.

What are the four primary types of conflict of interest in civil engineering practice?

1. Financial conflict (receiving payment, gifts, or benefits from a project party)
2. Personal Relationship conflict (having friends or family who benefit from your decision)
3. Multiple Roles conflict (acting as consultant and supplier, or consultant and contractor, on the same project)
4. Future Employment conflict (making a decision favoring a company you hope to work for later)

What were the primary ethical and technical oversights in the 1907 Quebec Bridge and 1967 Silver Bridge disasters?

Quebec Bridge ($1907$, $75$ killed): Failure to recheck the dead weight calculations and failing to remain open-minded to concerns raised by on-site laborers. Silver Bridge ($1967$, $46$ killed): Inadequate analysis of material properties and failure to recognize a single-point failure condition caused by the design alternative.

What is the four-step engineering ethical problem-solving procedure?

1. Determine the relevant facts.
2. Identify the factual issues.
3. Identify the moral issues.
4. Perform analysis and develop a solution.