Innovation in Sustainable Engineering Design

This document discusses the importance of innovation in sustainable engineering design and its impact on the construction industry. It explores specific problems faced by businesses in the industry and provides solutions. The document also covers the application of creative methodologies and their role in finding design solutions. Overall, it emphasizes the link between innovation, sustainability, and success in the engineering sector.

Innovation in
sustainable
engineering design
module
(Bio Concrete & Bio Asphalt)
1

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
Aim..............................................................................................................................................3
Objective......................................................................................................................................3
Solution........................................................................................................................................4
Application of creative methodologies for the solution of a design problem that affect the
function of a component..............................................................................................................5
Specific problems in design, manufacture, construction and infrastructure................................8
Solving the process problem which has affected the manufacture of a project the supply of a
service or a maintenance activity...............................................................................................10
PART 2..........................................................................................................................................10
Reflection on own career aspiration..........................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
2

INTRODUCTION
Innovation and sustainability works hand in hand as with innovation the chances of an
organisation to sustain and retain their position in the market increases. Innovation is the process
which is defined as the uniqueness and creativity developed in the manufacturing or designs of a
particular product or a service or a project of an organisation for rendering better solutions and
offerings to the customers (Aversa and et. al., 2016). It is an important aspect for all the
organisations that are involved in engineering and construction industry. The companies have to
make sure that they focused enough towards the creativity concept as it will enable the company
to attain the highest profitability and work according to the market trends. According to current
market conditions innovation has become a very important and vital part of an organisation for
success. in order to carry out all the operations of company in a systematic manner entity have to
be concentrated on creating something new and sustainable engineered designs for products that
shows the core potentials of a business firm. For the same purpose the present report is
developed covering various aspects and topics that focus on innovation and creativity criteria
which involves main problems which a company face, their solutions, application of different
methodologies in respect to determine 2 solutions, specific problems of certain design and lastly
the solution of whole process and the problems that are affecting the project. At last, critical
reflection on my own personal career aspirations and ideas is provided as well in the assignment.
PART 1
Aim
The vital aim of the report is to evaluate and analyse the creativity and innovative areas in
engineering industry and the specific problems that are affecting and may affect in future to the
sustainability of businesses within the particular sector or the industry. Moreover, another
additional aim of the project is to search out and discuss appropriate solutions for the problems
that are identified and determined in the assignment.
Objective
 Identifying the innovative actions that are taking place within the engineering industry by
professionals and researchers.
 Identify problems that are affecting sustainability in engineering sector.
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 Searching out the most suitable and profitable solutions which will help up the businesses
to deal with all the problems that are determined.
 Solving the problems of the process of manufacturing involved in the project.
Solution
Construction industry is a huge and wide scope area of business which involves several
activities that are related to manufacturing of different types of buildings and infrastructures. The
engineering industry is involved in creating beautiful products and buildings which enhances the
infrastructural quality of a particular land and of the particular region. The major products of
engineering sector are designing and construction of buildings, involvement with information
technology and several other related devices.
There are various types of problems and complications that exist within the industry and
which are faced by businesses. It is an important aspect for the entity that are operating in the
respective industry to stay aware about all the problems and also well informed about the
respective solutions that can be provide it and implemented on determined problems. Innovation
is one key tool which helps businesses in finding solutions for dealing with all the barriers and
problematic areas in a systematic manner as well as increased the sustainability of the business.
Few problems belonging to the industry are as follows:
 The lack of reliability on subcontractors and third parties.
 Decreasing innovation and creativity within the industry leading to lack of customer
engagement.
 Reducing skilled workers and professionals within the industry.
 Issues related to lack of communication among employees and employers.
 Increasing CO2 emissions in environment by manufacturing and other related activities
of the industry.
The above-described problems are related to construction and engineering industry, for
dealing with the same some solutions are suggested below for businesses in the industry:
 Increasing attention towards innovation such as inducing use of bio concrete for self
healing concrete while conducting construction activities.
 Instrumentation in training and development of workers that are existing in the industry
and increasing awareness within the society to increase the number of workforce and skill
labours indulging in the construction activities.
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 Making sure that all the subcontractors that are contacted by the entity are highly reliable.
 Assuring proper communication with staff members so that they can pay attention
towards their responsibilities at work place.
 Utilising stabilizes and more eco friendly wedge for helping in reducing carbon footprint
of businesses within the industry.
Application of creative methodologies for the solution of a design problem that affect the
function of a component
Construction and engineering organisations or businesses has a very important decision
to make and to stay focused on engaging in activities that are helpful and useful for them to meet
all of the targets and desired objectives (Anadon and et. al., 2016). Hence when the whole
industry is suffering from certain barriers and issues while carrying out their operations it is
important for businesses to make sure that they are sustainable enough to deal with such
complications and apply their creative methodologies that are helpful in finding out appropriate
solutions for the issues. there are several different types of problems that are affecting the
functions and operations of engineering as well as construction industry and businesses that are
mentioned above. While taking up activities to deal with them there are several different
methodologies which are effectively applied and are essential to use.
Some of such methodologies and practices are discussed in the section below that can
enable different organisations and enterprises to find out appropriate solutions for them and use
them in long run while making development in their designs and reducing their problems which
are affecting them and the whole industry.
 Brainstorming: As the name suggest of the methodology that is brainstorming which
means indulging in certain activities by thoroughly discussing the potential ideas and
concepts relating to the respective topic (Silvestre and Ţîrcă, 2019). Brainstorming is
considered as one of the main methodology that is it useful to engineers and is commonly
used by engineers in the construction industry for the main purpose of finding out
appropriate solutions in order to reduce the barriers and problems which are specifically
affecting their operations and their company. With the help of brainstorming technique
and methodology the senior manager at engineers who have expertise knowledge of the
industry as well as of the profession are required to find the out and evaluate the latest
market trends in relation with creativity and innovation. The purpose behind doing so is
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to use the most innovative idea in betterment of different operations that are affected by
the industrial problems. The methodology of brainstorming allows the management as
well as business to ensure they are working innovatively by using creative techniques and
approaches while dealing with the problems of the industry as well as reducing the
negative impacts they are living on the industry due to their functions and operations.
Moreover, the brainstorming technique will also allow the industry to facilitate the
assessment of innovative ideas that are focused on the problems that are related with
designs of the construction industry and the entity (Cancino and et. al., 2018).
 Diagramming: The diagramming approach or methodology is related with designing and
creating a blueprint for the project and the product. The construction industry is based on
its designs and unique as well as creative monuments, buildings and infrastructures that
are being developed and built by the organisations dealing in this sector. Thus, the
diagramming methodology is one of the most crucial and important methodology for the
construction sector while operating in the competitive environment. The diagramming
approach helps businesses and organisations to find out solutions for their design
problems. Proper design or a proper blueprint with clear diagrams that are pre-prepared
will be facilitating the formulation of appropriate charts, agendas and work practices. The
diagram in technique with also enable employees a clarity and awareness about all the
tasks that are needed to be conducted and the respective manner in which they are
required to be performed. If the diagramming techniques are used within the engineering
industry it will facilitate the organisations to make sure that they attain all the required
targets as well as engage skilled professionals for workforce who are reliable for the
business. along with it reliable subcontractors will also be engaged in the operations.
Diagramming methodology e will be suitably applied and make sure that the business is
facilitated with strong, creative and value-adding designs and diagrams which will help
them to overcome their design problems (Tseng and et. al., 2019).
 Stakeholder analysis: Stakeholders of a business entity are those internal and external
parties which are directly or indirectly affected by business operations. Along with it they
do have potential powers and say in the particular organisation and their decision making.
Stakeholder analysis is another effective and strong methodology that will enable
businesses belonging to construction and engineering industry to take over the market
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and sustain for the longer period of time. Stakeholder analysis is considered as one of the
most effective and strong technique because it allows the businesses and entities to
determine the main requirements, market trends and potential needs of targeted audiences
as well as stakeholders along with their interest and power level within the organisation
and on the external environment of the business entity that is the industry (Parida, Sjödin
and Reim, 2019). The methodology of stakeholder analysis if used effectively and
applied strongly by the engineering industry and organisations then it will be very easy
for the businesses to find out appropriate solutions in order to retain customers and
develop a strong customer base. The stakeholder analysis model and technique will
enable the organisation a strong power for keeping a track over the essential needs as
well as designers of the clients and keep them engaged with the business and designs.
Once the stakeholders are engaged with the business and the construction organisation it
will become very easy for the company to resign their required product and using the
appropriate amount of resources according to the potentials requirements of the buyers.
With the help of application of stakeholder analysis it will be easy for the management
and technical teams of the business to identify their particular efficiency for managing
and maintaining the stakeholders, subcontractors, engineers, required workforce and all
the related third parties within the business. Stakeholder analysis also showcases the
power and interest level of all the involved parties that is also helpful approach for
organisation adopting the methodology.
 Modelling: As above discussed the diagramming technology in the industry of
construction and engineering where a blueprint is developed on the papers of the ultimate
product that is going to be presented for the customer and in which necessary changes
can be made wild the project is going on (Fernando, Jabbour and Wah, 2019). Once the
diagramming is completed the next stage comes up is of modelling where the final design
is produced in a miniature form which can be touched and physically felt. The modelling
methodology is defined as the technique which is applied and used by businesses with the
aim of making sure that the model of ultimate product or the building that will be
constructed in future is appropriately designed and will be fulfilling the requirement of
clients. In the construction industry modelling techniques plays a major role as it helps
the business to find out the issues that are creating increase in carbon emission within the
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environment and which needs to be reduced to the particular level. With the help of
modelling technique the engineers and professionals within the industry will be able to
determine effective techniques and approaches to render the best product true the ultimate
client and the possible carbon emission can be reduced to the minimum level. Despite
from all the aspects the modelling approach also facilitates the staff members of the entity
to properly evaluate and understand the design of the construction building on which they
are going to work in practical terms.
Specific problems in design, manufacture, construction and infrastructure
Construction industry is a dynamic and regularly changing industry in the current times
which leads it to various types of problems that may take place within the sector (León-Bravo
and et. al., 2016). Therefore it becomes very important for the businesses and organisations that
are having their operations and functions within the industry to be aware of all the issues,
challenges, barriers, complications and problems that are taking place within the respective
sector and the industry. A detailed and thorough discussion of all the problems that are affecting
the whole sector of engineering and construction is as follows:
 Decreased knowledge about innovation: The main issue or the key problem of the
industry that is being faced and regularly encountered by the organisations having
operations in the respective sector is decreasing knowledge and enthusiasm towards
innovation of professionals. The entities within the industry are not appropriately
informed about innovation which is stopping them from performing the best out of all of
their operational activities in the more systematic manner within the industry. Despite of
the fact another aspect related to the problem is planning process that is involved for
meeting the expectation of customers along with attaining higher level of competitive
advantage within the industry amongst other competitors and rivals. it is very important
for businesses to make sure that their focus towards innovation in order to reduce their
barriers (Cheah, Ho and Li, 2018). The engineers with low or lacking knowledge as well
as creative aspect will be handling save your challenges in their career as well as within
the whole industry because of their inability to develop something new and creative for
rendering solutions to their clients.
 Lack of skilled workforce: The second common problem which exist within the
industry is of lack of skilled workforce. Employees of an organisation are its pillars keep
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the organisation running and enable the businesses to run their operations strongly within
the industry. Employees of an organisation also offers it a unique competitive power
which is why it is important for construction organisation as well to have skilled
workforce to carry out all their operations and functional activities in a systematic and
synergistic manner (Ha-Minh and et. al., 2019). The number of skilled professionals and
workforce within the industry as well as respective businesses is reducing and day by day
getting lower down. This creates a whole new problem for the industry and sector and
making it a great challenge for businesses to execute all of their plans and operational
actions in proper manner. This is a problem which is required to be done properly by
businesses because continuous increment and improvement can only render suitable
outcome for the problem and for making appropriate execution and the practical
implementation of all the plans developed.
 Lower level of reliability of subcontractors: For the business is belonging to
construction and engineering industry reliability factor is a major one on all the
subcontractors which leads them towards success and growth. A huge challenge which is
being faced by the industry is reducing and lacking reliability of businesses on these
subcontractors they are not able to meet their desired goals. Hence it is suggested to
businesses within the industry to improve and increase their reliability on all the
subcontractors as it will be beneficial for practical implementation of all their plans and
systematic operational management. if the reliability factor is not induced or increased
within the industry on the subcontractor it will create more and more difficulties for
businesses to meet their objectives and long-term targets (Backhaus and et. al., 2017).
 Issues related to lack of communication: Another major problem within the industry is
of lack of communication and strong communication channels. Within the industry the
labours and not able to properly interact with senior executives as the communication
flow is complicated and there are no strong communication channels engaged within the
organisation. This creates a huge problem as they face the challenges in attaining the high
level of engagement of employees. This is a problem which needs to be systematically e
dealt with in making sure that the proper arrangement for interactions between staff and
senior authorities takes place (Serhan and Yannou-Lebris, 2020).
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 Increment in Co2 emission: The last but a major problem which is a huge challenge that
is being faced by the industry is of increasing carbon footprint and emission within the
environment. this is a challenge which not only affects the industry but also affects the
whole environment and planet. therefore it is a very critical area to be concentrated by the
construction industry and to make sure that the organisations within the sector after
taking strong initiatives to reduce the impact that is negatively affecting the industry as
well as the environment.
Solving the process problem which has affected the manufacture of a project the supply of a
service or a maintenance activity
For rendering the solutions of the discussed problems in the section above the first issue
which is considered as of lack of knowledge regarding innovation within the industry. for all the
organisations within the industry it is required to make sure that they are able to find out creative
approaches and techniques which could be used by businesses to carry out future operations
strongly and efficiently (Zhao and et. al., 2018). In order to do so a solution is strong focus on
New Market trends that are being flourishing within the industry as well as facilitating the
attainment of all the long term goals that are being developed by the business. The solution
which can be focused for reducing and dealing with the problems identified is bio concrete
which is also known self healing concrete.
This is a product or a raw material that will biologically heal itself by different
application of chemicals and reduce developed cracks that are being developing overtime and
being created in the buildings that are being constructed for the long term.
PART 2
Reflection on own career aspiration
At the time of studying within the university and taking on my classes I analysed several
things and aspects about myself related to my personal skills and professional qualification.
Through the analysis I found out that are different activities which are needed to be e used by me
for increasing my capabilities and developing new strengths by mitigating and eliminating all my
weaknesses. my processes have assigned me and engineering module while I was taking class
where I felt a little bit nervous about the execution and completion of all the activities related to
the project and developing the most creative assignment at the end.
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I played the role of a leader in the given project where I was given the role of an engineer
(Bryden and Gezelius, 2017). I had all the responsibilities to manage the work taking place, the
construction site, managing the records, allocating work to team members and completing the
work in the given time period. at the time of handling the whole assignment as an engineer and a
leader there were several problems which were highlighted by my tutor while I was working on
the project. These problems are reduced with the help of my team members and help me in
making strong decisions and appropriately implementing different solutions and executing them
properly.
The first problem that I faced while working was lack of innovative ideas and knowledge
about creativity that will help me to flourish strongly within the industry. Through it I found out
that the construction industry does not allow for ready to accept the changes that are being
introduced by market trends easily. hence the result leads to lower in productivity and reducing
competitiveness of businesses and organisations within the industry. At the moment I felt that
my communication and motivation skills are lacking as well as our weak which needs to be
properly improved and induced for engaging all of my team members as well as clients that are
third parties with whom I am working and also making them work with us collectively.
The second problem which I faced while I was completing my assignment is lack of skilled
workforce which was affecting the work of whole industry as well as affected mind assignment.
the professionals and people involved in construction industry are not skilled enough and they
are not working properly. this leads to feeling here to accept new challenges and adapting to
change according to the new processes. this created a huge problem for running the business in
the most sustainable and competitive manual will win the increasingly aggressive competitive
environment of the industry. Which and engineers point of view I was the responsible one to
manage all the working and activities as well as providing solutions to the problems. This is
where I analysed that my skills in relation to convincing people and getting people on board for
working in the most efficient and strong manner is competent enough. The people involved in
my team are ready to work and were willing to engage in all the activities openly as well as face
all the new challenges that are being introduced and a being continuously acting in the
environment while completing the assignment.
As an engineer I find out that it important aspect for me to figure out is the issues that
having flourishing even be industry as it will help me e to find out relevant solutions to those
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problems and increase the sustainability as well as productivity. Some of the major problems that
were identified by me lack of knowledge, lack of creativity and innovation, lack of skilled
workforce, lowering reliability on subcontractors, ineffective communication channel and flow
and lastly increasing to environment by increasing carbon footprint and carbon emission.
While I was conducting my research and searching about the issues of the industry There are
several challenges which I also faced as the leader. One of the major is lack of knowledge of
using the online sources and resources to figure out the appropriate knowledge and detailed
information about the solutions that are applicable within the industry. Along with it when I was
researching about the industry my lack of knowledge was improved as I got to learn about
various new things and aspects of the whole industry and the sector.
Apart from this there are different ideas and concepts which I realised that if the businesses
were not be able to deal with them, then these issues or challenges will become more and more
complicated and will be affecting the whole industry in sustaining the market as well as the
environment that is becoming dynamic and regularly changing. My communication skills were
strong enough as well as I am a good time manager that help me in collecting all the detailed
information about the industry and the project and which help me in making a strong assignment.
along with it all of my team members and classmates were helpful enough, as well with the
guidance of my tutor and their regular feedbacks my project turned out to be a good one where I
found out all the relevant information about the industry, the negative impacts it is imposing on
the environment, the market stability which is being affected by it and the solutions that are
required to be implemented in order to reduce the complications with the sector.
When I was completing the project and playing the role of an engineer it was very important
for me to be sure about dealing with all the issues and challenges systematically either related
with the project or with the team as I was the team leader too. In relation to the role of an
engineer it was very important for me to ensure that I will be finding the most appropriate ways
to respond to old problems which are being faced. My critical thinking skills and not very strong
and are not my strength hence I took most time in developing and analysing the most efficient
and applicable solutions for the issues that are being involved in the assignment while I was
completing it.
Lastly, from the whole project it facilitated me to improve my knowledge and skills as well
as understanding about the whole industry and my future career aspiration. If in future I will be
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assigned with the same project I will be making sure that my research in future is supported
positively by the aspects that I have learnt in this project while completing the assignment and
also involves the improvement which I will be making in future by conducting more relevant
research. It is a helpful source for me to keep a strong focus on my career goals and objectives
and stay competitive within the industry.
CONCLUSION
From the above project, it is summarised that innovation and creativity is one of the most
important aspect of business organisation belonging to any industry and for the specific project
belonging to the engineering industry. Innovation and creativity are the concept which help the
organisation to attain sustainability. It is important for businesses to make sure that they are able
to determine their issues effectively in order to find out sustainable as well as strong creative
solutions to support their work. In the assignment above there are some problems that are
developed in the construction industry such as increasing CO2 emission and carbon footprint. In
the report a solution is provided by addressing all the problems. Along with that there are some
methodologies and techniques that are used to develop the particular solution for the identified
problem. lastly the developed solution is self healing concrete that is also known as bio concrete
for reducing the carbon footprint and keeping a focus on different construction industry aspects.
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