 |  Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers, 5/e Max S. Peters,
University of Colorado
Klaus Timmerhaus,
University of Colorado, Boulder
Ronald E. West,
University of Colorado, Boulder
Written and Oral Reports
Chapter OverviewA
successful engineer not only must be able to apply theoretical and practical
principles in the development of ideas and methods, but also must have the
ability to express the results clearly and convincingly in written and oral presentations.
During the course of a design project, the engineer may be requested to prepare
numerous written and oral reports. These may involve feasibility investigations,
environmental impact studies, progress reports, and project conclusions and recommendations.
The decision on the advisability of continuing the design project will
often be made on the basis of the material presented in the written and oral communications.
The value of the engineer’s work is measured to a large extent by the results
given in these various reports covering the design study and the manner in which these
results are presented.
The essential purpose of any written or oral communication is to succinctly pass
on information to others who may have a need for the results and recommendations.
The design engineer preparing either a written or an oral report should never forget the
words to others. The abilities, functions, and needs of the intended reader or listener
should be kept in mind constantly during the preparation of such communications. The
success of this communication transfer depends to a large extent on the type, detail,
and scope of information that the recipients expect, whether they be fellow chemical
engineers, other engineers, managers, executives, clients, or the general public. Both
the focus and the appropriate level of detail will vary with the background of the recipient.
Some questions that each design engineer should ask before starting, preparing,
or finalizing such a communication are listed here:
What is the purpose of this communication?
What audience will read or listen to this communication?
What is the function of this audience?
What background information does the audience have?
What is the technical level that the audience will understand?
What response is desired from this audience?
The answers to these questions indicate the type of information that should be presented,
the quantity of detail required, and the most satisfactory method of presentation. |
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2003 McGraw-Hill Higher Education