We live in an era of phenomenal technological prowess. There is little that is technologically impossible, that can’t be engineered. Engineering is also one of the few professions that truly creates new value, new possibilities, new jobs. Yet the products of engineering are so pervasive they are invisible to the casual observer. The power of engineering is largely taken for granted. Engineers are like ‘invisible gods’ … but this must change.
Infrastructure owners and developers are needlessly wasting billions of dollars each year. Why? Because the secret to high value, low risk infrastructure is hiding in plain sight. Intentional design offers a cheap, quick path to profitable innovation in the sector. Only a shift in mindset stands between investors and vastly...
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For decades, people have known the dominant approach to building cities, industries and economies is ultimately unsustainable. Today, people in developed and emerging markets are experiencing the consequences of our failure to adequately address the foreseeable issues. The risks and consequences of inaction are mounting, demanding urgent and collaborative action....
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Australians have much to lose from inaction on climate change. But there’s also much to gain by acting. A shortage of practical solutions that are scalable, affordable and easy to embrace is an impediment. This is where engineers can play a transformative role if the challenge is approached in a...
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Practical engineering solutions may be the key to transcending the political gridlock that confounds the energy-climate crisis. Several days ago, Matthew Warren, chief executive of the Australian Energy Council, warned “We now risk rolling into a second decade of energy policy uncertainty. This could be catastrophic for the cost and...
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Changes in engineering technology coupled with shifting commercial and social demands is creating major risks and opportunities for the business community. Similarly, policy makers, industry bodies and educators are not immune. While some of the most profound consequences may not impact for several years, the time required to achieve institutional...
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An upcoming executive conference promises to shed powerful insights into current, under-played challenges of the fourth industrial revolution for engineering executives and company directors. What follows is a small component of the under-pinning research and analysis that informs the conference dialogue. In the early 1990s I was a researcher, exploring...
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Innovation is squarely on the agenda for governments and the business community. Yet voters in Australia’s recent federal election felt disconnected from the Prime Minister’s innovation agenda, even scared by the change it signals. But innovate we must. Without it, businesses, governments and society will stagnate. What we need is...
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by Dr George Beaton, beatoncapital ‘Engineering in the 4th industrial revolution is on the brink’ is not intended to be a melodramatic assertion. Rather it makes the point that the 4th industrial revolution is here, now. It offers as many opportunities as it poses risks and threats. This post explains...
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