This post was republished to Mentor & Author at 11:04:37 AM 9/16/2015

Mission Communication 10
Category construction ; engineering procurement and construction ; communication

A space mission has failed. A space mission has failed. The failure happened due to the usage of both
metric and imperial units. This was an actual incident.

This blog is about the problem of miscommunication in the communication industry. I will use practical
examples.

Example 1: Problem of units

A process data sheet specifies units of pressure in kPa. While the Instrument data sheet mentions barg.

Process data sheet Instrument data sheet

• kPa • barg

Example 2: Problem of Accuracy

One document mentions pressure as 10. While another document mentions 10.1. (Or the equipment list
mentions reactor, while P&ID mentions it as process reactor)

Mechanical data
Process data sheet
sheet
• Pressure, barg • 10 • 10.1

Example 3: Problem of definition

We refer the word specifications in formal and informal communication. But what is the contractual
definition of a specification. I have seen contractual definitions referred only at the time of a dispute.

Many a times, communication fails internally, rather than externally. Every department has its own set
of terminology. The exact meaning and interpretation of deliverables in unknown to other departments.
Just ask any engineer the full form of P&ID. Around one-third will tell that it stands for Process and
Instrumentation Diagram. This is because Process department is the originator. Piping and
Instrumentation diagram is the correct word. If 100% are right, you have landed at the right place.

Example 4: Problem of duplication

Documents specify values at many places. If one value gets changed, the initiator needs to update other
documents.

Conclusion

I find project issues orbit more around inefficient communication rather than defective design.

When you get only one chance, you improve. The construction industry gets many chances. There is a
lot of improvement that we need to do. Training, team-building, mentoring. standardization, procedures
and so on. You are free to add.

Author calling reader. “Mission Communication 10 successfully landed at

www.epctraining.wordpress.com. Hope the communication is clear”.