How can you review and critique engineering design standards and guidelines constructively?

1 Understand the purpose

Before you start reviewing and critiquing engineering design standards and guidelines, you need to understand their purpose and scope. What are the objectives, assumptions, and limitations of the standards and guidelines? Who are the intended users and beneficiaries? How are they developed, updated, and validated? By answering these questions, you can establish a common ground and a clear context for your review and critique.

2 Follow the criteria

Engineering design standards and guidelines are usually based on certain criteria, such as performance, reliability, efficiency, sustainability, or compliance. When you review and critique them, you should follow these criteria and evaluate how well the standards and guidelines meet them. You should also consider how the criteria align with the needs and expectations of the stakeholders, such as customers, regulators, or society. By following the criteria, you can provide objective and relevant feedback.

3 Provide evidence

Engineering design standards and guidelines are not opinions or preferences, but rather rational and systematic solutions to engineering problems. Therefore, when you review and critique them, you should provide evidence to support your arguments and suggestions. You can use data, facts, examples, references, or experiments to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the standards and guidelines. You should also acknowledge the sources and limitations of your evidence and avoid making unsubstantiated claims.

4 Be respectful

Engineering design standards and guidelines are the result of collective efforts and expertise of many engineers and professionals. They represent the best practices and knowledge available at the time of their creation. When you review and critique them, you should be respectful of the work and contributions of others. You should avoid personal attacks, harsh language, or biased judgments. You should also appreciate the diversity and complexity of engineering design and recognize that there may be more than one valid approach or solution.

5 Suggest improvements

Engineering design standards and guidelines are not static or perfect, and they can always be improved or revised to accommodate new situations, challenges, or innovations. When you review and critique them, you should not only point out the flaws or gaps, but also suggest possible improvements or alternatives. You should explain how your suggestions would enhance the quality, safety, or functionality of the engineering products or systems. You should also consider the feasibility, cost, and impact of your suggestions and how they would affect the existing standards and guidelines.

6 Communicate effectively

Engineering design standards and guidelines are meant to be communicated and applied by various engineers and professionals across different disciplines, domains, and contexts. When you review and critique them, you should communicate effectively and clearly. You should use appropriate language, terminology, and format. You should also organize your review and critique logically and coherently. You should highlight the main points, arguments, and suggestions. You should also invite feedback, questions, or discussion from others and be open to different perspectives and opinions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?