In the fast-paced world of construction, the pressure to get things done quickly often leads to overlooking essential details. However, as the old saying goes, “the devil is in the details,” and nowhere is this more apparent than in the realm of geodesy.
Geodesy, the science of measuring and understanding Earth’s geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravitational field, may not be a topic that’s first and foremost in people’s minds for many in the industry. However, as one unfortunate customer learned the hard way, ignorance of geodesy can lead to disastrous and costly consequences.
In a recent training session conducted by our team, we tackled the crucial topic of scale factors and calibrations. The drive for this training? A customer was haemorrhaging money due to rework caused by errors stemming from a lack of understanding of these fundamental principles.
Knowing your stuff… or not.
The attendees: project engineers, site engineers, and project management personnel, initially believed they knew what they were doing. However, it quickly became apparent that this assumption was far from the truth. The goal of the training was clear: to proactively reduce onsite errors and the subsequent headaches they caused.
There were a mixture of benefits that the training brought to light. Not only did it eliminate the need for costly rework and disputes with quantity surveyors, but it also facilitated smoother coordination with adjacent works. Moreover, it freed up engineers to focus on their core responsibilities, rather than getting bogged down in remedial tasks.
At Survey Solutions Group, we believe in providing tailored training that addresses specific needs and challenges to the client. This approach ensures that participants learn what they need to know, rather than wasting time on generic information. In this case, the training served to empower the land survey department to take ownership of geodesy-related tasks, thereby preventing future mishaps.
Tangible training outcomes
The outcomes of the training were tangible and immediate. There was a noticeable decrease in geodesy-related errors on site, leading to smoother operations and happier stakeholders. Additionally, the training prompted a re-evaluation of methodologies within the survey and engineering departments, highlighting areas for improvement and further training.
In conclusion, the story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of investing in education and training. Ignorance may seem blissful in the short term, but the long-term consequences can be catastrophic. By prioritising knowledge and understanding, we not only mitigate risks but also pave the way for greater efficiency, profitability, and success.
Get in touch with a member of the team if you have any questions or would like to schedule in some staff training on a particular area that needs attention.
