Engineering of the Future: How to prepare for the changes in the market
Engineering is among the most valued areas of the industry, as it is a necessary field of specialization for the application of specific techniques. The engineering of the future is one in which the specific techniques and knowledge of the field work together with technology.
Engineers are trained to develop solutions and take responsibility for the execution of projects in different sectors. For more practical and efficient solutions to be adopted by these professionals, it is important to stay on top of technological evolution and innovation in the sector.
What to expect from the engineering of the future?
As in other areas, innovation will be a fundamental requirement for the engineering of the future. Companies that want to deliver more efficiency, quality, and better service must embrace technological capabilities.
Innovative tools allow the company to know its processes well, to identify operational failures or problems, and to be able to apply techniques to minimize their impacts. In this sense, the environment is one of the factors of greatest concern for companies in the sector.
Technology allows us to prioritize the attention and care for the environment, as well as the preservation of human lives. Companies that do not start changing standards now that do not guarantee efficiency and do not reduce the impact on the environment will end up losing ground. Therefore, we can expect the engineering of the future to be more technological and more strategic.
Technology’s impact on future engineering
Technology is the foundation that will underpin the engineering of the future. Without it, companies will remain stagnant, without evolving processes, methods, and techniques. An engineering company that invests in technology is able to evaluate the scenario and understand what makes sense or not for that moment of the business.
This analysis allows management to identify what makes sense and what doesn’t, and to look for more efficient and productive solutions to replace the resources used until now. Technology can impact from the simplest processes, such as communication among professionals, to the identification of risk scenarios for the company, the environment, and the population.
This means that the evolution of the business is directly connected to the tools that are used in the company’s routine. The lack of predictive solutions prevents the manager from identifying possible risks for the company.
Thus, it is not possible to make a decision or adopt an attitude that will change this scenario, ensuring that norms and conducts are followed, as well as preserving environmental and human life.
But technology doesn’t just impact these factors. By using technology, companies can achieve greater gains, while gaining productive and strategic efficiency.
Key trends for future engineering
Sustainable engineering
Sustainable engineering has recently become a fundamental part of large projects with an impact on society. For a company to start and deliver a project, for example, it must comply with specific laws and norms that protect the environment. Otherwise, in addition to being embargoed, the work can be fined.
Sustainable engineering needs to follow specific strategies to build a project which reduces expenses, adopts renewable energy, eliminates waste, etc.
Multidisciplinary professionals
Engineering education is no longer enough to qualify a professional. It is necessary to seek extra knowledge, take other courses and follow the changes in the market and in consumer behavior, as well as the environmental laws, norms and regulations that influence the projects.
Companies have been valuing engineers who are able to work on different types of projects, contributing and helping in the team’s development. This means that more than knowing the theory, the professional must know the practice to ensure that it is being well executed.
Engineers with soft skills for dealing with people
Technical knowledge is a characteristic of professionals working in engineering. However, in the engineering of the future, this alone will not be enough. Engineers need to develop soft skills that help them work with people, such as empathy, the ability to put themselves in the other person’s shoes.
Both in the company’s routine and in dealing with the client, soft skills are capable of transforming relationships, stimulating trust, and enabling the professional to deal with any kind of adversity.
Process Automation
In the engineering of the future, process automation will be part of the routine. That’s because more and more companies will see the benefits that automation offers. When activities and processes are automated, the company reduces costs for materials and labor, increases its efficiency and productivity, and reduces errors considerably.
Use of computer simulation in projects
Computer simulation allows scenarios to be analyzed, with the objective of identifying possible problems in the future, avoiding risks, waste, and other factors that can negatively impact a project.
Engineering companies invest heavily in their projects and can interfere violently with the environment. But this can be avoided when scenarios are simulated and present the risks that certain actions can cause.
Want to know more about computer simulation? Check out the ESSS/Ansys Channel Partner Program. The program plays a key role in the projects of the most innovative companies in the world. Contact us to learn more about how to become an Ansys reseller.
