Report on Innovation in Sustainable Engineering Design Module

This report delves into the realm of innovation within sustainable engineering design, with a specific focus on bio concrete and bio asphalt. It begins by defining innovation and its importance in the engineering and construction industries, highlighting the necessity of staying abreast of current market trends. The report identifies key problems affecting sustainability, such as decreased innovation, a lack of skilled workforce, issues with subcontractor reliability, communication gaps, and increased CO2 emissions. To address these challenges, it explores various solutions including the use of self-healing concrete, staff training, reliable subcontractors, improved communication, and the implementation of carbon emission reduction strategies. Creative methodologies like brainstorming, diagramming, stakeholder analysis, and modeling are discussed as vital tools for solving design problems. The report also examines specific challenges in design, manufacture, construction, and infrastructure, and proposes the use of self-healing concrete to combat the lack of innovation. Finally, the report includes a reflection on career aspirations within the field of sustainable engineering.

Innovation in sustainable
engineering design module
bio concrete & bio asphalt

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
Aim..............................................................................................................................................1
Objective......................................................................................................................................1
Solution........................................................................................................................................1
Application of creative methodologies for the solution of a design problem that affect the
function of a component..............................................................................................................2
Specific problems in design, manufacture, construction and infrastructure................................4
Solving the process problem which has affected the manufacture of a project the supply of a
service or a maintenance activity.................................................................................................5
PART 2............................................................................................................................................6
Reflection on own career aspiration............................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Innovation could be defined as the uniqueness in the manufacturing or designing of the
projects or the items that are manufactured by entities for the customers. It is very important for
all the entities that are involved in construction or engineering activities to make sure that they
are focused with it as it can help to find ways to meet the current market trends. If the entities
that are part of engineering industry will not be focused with innovation then it may leave
negative impact upon functionality of business (Barzegari and Solaimanian, 2020). In order to
carry out all the operations in systematic manner it is very important to be focused with
innovation in sustainable engineering design so that predetermined goals could be accomplished.
Present report is based upon determining the problems that are affecting sustainability in
engineering design and finding ways to deal with all these problems. For this purpose, this
assignment covers various topics such as main problems, solutions, application of methodologies
for solution, specific problems in design, solution of process problem that affects manufacturing
of the project etc. Apart from this, a critical reflection on own career aspiration is also covered in
this report.
PART 1
Aim
Main aim of this assignment is to analyse the innovation in engineering industry and
identify the problems that may affect sustainability within the sector along with solutions for the
same.
Objective
 Determine all the innovations that are taking place within the engineering industry.
 Identify problems that are affecting sustainability in engineering sector.
 Finding the solutions that can help to deal with all the problems.
 Solve the process problem which is affecting the manufacturing of a project.
Solution
Engineering and construction industry are very large and these are involved in activities
that are related to manufacturing buildings etc. It is involved in creation of engineering products
and these are related with the deal that includes designing and manufacturing of buildings,
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devices etc. There are various types of problems that are faced by this industry and it is very
important for the entities that are operating businesses under this sector to be aware of all of
them and find innovations along with solutions for dealing with all the issues in systematic
manner (Fernando, Jabbour and Wah, 2019)x. Some of the problems are as follows:
 Decreased innovation within the industry due to which engagement level of clients.
 Lack of skilled workforce which is affecting the work of whole industry.
 Lower level of reliability of subcontractors.
 Issues related to lack of communication among employees and employers.
 Increment in Co2 emission.
In order to deal with all the above described problems following solutions are implemented
by the business entities in the engineering industry:
 Paying attention towards innovations like use of self-healing concrete in the constriction
activities.
 Providing proper training to all the staff members so that they can work effectively.
 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.
 Using stabilise wedge which can help to reduce carbon emission of the organisation.
Application of creative methodologies for the solution of a design problem that affect the
function of a component
It is very important for all the engineering entities to make sure that they are engaged in
such activities that can help them to meet all their desired objectives. When the whole industry
faces issues for carrying out operations then it is very important for the entities to make sure that
they are able to apply creative methodologies that can help to find solution for the issues. There
are various types of problems that are affecting the functions of components of construction
companies and in order to deal with them different methodologies are required to be applied
(Fernando, Jabbour and Wah, 2019)x. Discussion of some of them is as follows which are used
by the enterprise for finding appropriate solutions for the design problems that are affecting the
whole industry:
 Brainstorming: It is one of the main methodologies which are used by engineering
industry for the purpose of determining solutions for the problems that are faced y them.
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With the help of it, the senior managers and engineers are asked to find and evaluate
latest market trends and innovations so that all of them could be used to perform
operations. This methodology allows the management to make sure that they are using
innovative techniques to deal with all the issues that are leaving negative impacts upon
functionality of business. Apart from this, if it will be used by the industry then it will
facilitate the assessment of innovative ideas which could be focused for dealing with
design problems within the construction sector (Fernando, Jabbour and Wah, 2019).
 Diagramming: For all the entities that are operating under construction sector it is very
important to use this methodology as it can help to find solutions for design problems. If
proper diagrams will be made then it will facilitate the formulation of appropriate charts
and help the employees to get aware of all the tasks that will be performed by them. If it
will be used in engineering industry then it will facilitate the organisations to make sure
that they attain all their targets such as engaged employees and reliable subcontractors.
Apart from this, if this methodology will be applied then it will also facilitate the business
entities to make sure that they are able to create proper diagrams for all the designs that
will reduce the possibility of design problems (Hemida and Abdelrahman, 2019)x.
 Stakeholder analysis: It is considered as one of the most effective techniques as it can
help the entities to determine the main requirements of all the stakeholders along with
interest and power level of them. If this methodology will be used or applied by the
engineering industry then it will eb very easy to find solutions for all the design related
problems because by applying it the management can keep all the stakeholders engaged.
By applying it, it will be easy for the management teams to determine that they are able
to manage the stakeholders such as subcontractors, engineers, staff members etc. as it will
help to determine their power and interest level.
 Modelling: It could be defined as the methodology which is applied by the businesses for
the purpose of making sure that models for all the buildings that will be constructed in
future are designed. It can help to find solution for the issue of the way in which carbon
emission could be reduced. By using it the engineering industry will be able to use
effective techniques in models so that the possibility of carbon emission could be
ignored. Apart from this, it can also facilitate the staff members to analyse the design of
building in which they will be working as engineers (Hemida and Abdelrahman, 2019)x.
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Specific problems in design, manufacture, construction and infrastructure
There are various types of problems that may take place for the construction industry. It
is very important for all the entities that are operating business under the engineering industry to
be aware of all the issues that are taking place within the industry. Detailed discussion of all the
issues that are affecting the whole sector are discussed below:
Decreased knowledge about innovation: It is one of the main issues or problems that
are faced by the construction industry because due to this, the entities within the industry will not
be able to perform all their operational activities in systematic manner. Apart from this, while
planning to meet expectation of clients along with attaining higher level of competitive
advantage it will be very important for all the businesses to make sure that they are focused with
innovation. If the engineers will have low knowledge of innovation then it will create challenges
for the whole industry as they will not be able to find creative ways to respond all the critical
issues (Hemida and Abdelrahman, 2019).
Lack of skilled workforce: For all the construction companies it is very important to
make sure that they are having skilled workforce because it can help to carry out all the
operations in systematic manner. The number of skilled workforces within the industry is very
low and due to this the whole sector is facing huge challenges as it creates issues in proper
execution of all the operations in systematic manner. This problem is required to be dealt
properly because continuous increment in it may result in inappropriate execution of all the
operations of the industry.
Lower level of reliability of subcontractors: The reliability in engineering industry on
the subcontractors is very low and due to this the entities within the industry are not able to meet
all their desired goals. It is very important for the organisations to make sure that they are able to
improve the level of reliability of subcontractors as it will be beneficial or execution of all the
operations in systematic manner. If their reliability will not be increased then it will create
difficulty in meeting long term objectives (Hu, Shu and Huang, 2019).
Issues related to lack of communication: It is also a major problem which is faced by
the construction industry as the labours are not able to interact with senior executives of the
organisation. Due to this problem they face challenges in attaining the higher level of
engagement of the employees. This problem could be dealt systematically by making sure that
proper arrangement for interaction between staff and senior authorities are made. Apart from
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this, modelling, stakeholder analysis etc. methodologies could also be used to find solutions for
the issues (Kim, Lee and Ahn, 2019).
Increment in Co2 emission: It is one of the biggest challenges which are faced by the
construction industry. The challenge affects planet significantly as it impacts are similar to
climate change or degree at which its consumers resources of the Earth. It is very important to
deal with this problem because due to this environment is getting affected in negative manner. If
the level of it will not be reduced then it will leave negative impacts upon the functionality of
business (Kumar and Kumar, 2017).
Solving the process problem which has affected the manufacture of a project the supply of a
service or a maintenance activity
One of the main issues which are affecting the engineering industry is lack of knowledge
regarding innovation. For all the entities within the sector are required to make sure that they are
able to find innovative techniques which could be used for carrying out future operations. It is
essential for the businesses to be focused with new trends that are taking place within the
industry as it will facilitate the attainment of all the long-term goals. The solution which could be
focused for resolution of this problem is using self-healing concreate. It is a product that will
biologically produce limestone to deal with cracks that are appearing in the floor of concrete.
With the help of this concreate the dormant could be lied for almost 200 years which is a long
period. If it will be focused by the entities within the engineering industry then it will help to
deal with the issue of lack of innovation because it is a unique technique which is used in
engineering industry to provide high benefits to all the clients (Lacasse, 2020).
If all the entities within the industry will be using this technique then it will facilitate the
maintenance of all the activities and reduce the number of unsatisfied clients because use of self-
healing concreate will result in no issues in construction work. In order to remain highly
sustainable, it is very important for the engineering industry to be focused with innovative
techniques, services or products like self-healing concreate. It could be used for making sure that
all the cracks in the surface will be healed automatically with the help of this type of concreates
(Mehta and Gorski, 2016).
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PART 2
Reflection on own career aspiration
While studying in University and taking the classes I analysed various things in my skills,
strength, weakness and other activities that are important to gain in every stage. As my tutor has
assigned me engineering project at the time of taking classes where I felt nervous that how will I
complete and manage the all activities for the purpose of attaining goals. The classes helped me
to analysed myself and bring the improvements accordingly which supported to get better career
opportunities in upcoming period. I was selected as a leader and engineer of given project where
I has all responsibilities to manage all workings, construction sites, keeping records, allocating
work between members and completing the work in certain period of time. While handling the
project or assignment from my tutor I found many problems that might be create a problem but
with the help of my team members all problems has solved. The first problem, I faced in working
as decrease innovation within industry due to level of engagement between clients. It has been
seen that construction industry does not ready to bought the changes in their industry due to lack
engagement of clients as they were not ready to make investment, taking participation and
adopting the new methods of working which has created a tough competition for sustaining in
competitive market and could be a reason of low productivity. Herein, I felt that my
communication skills and motivation skills was weak that really needs to improve for engaging
all clients in workings and get them ready to work collectively (Mulligan, 2019).
The second problem was lack of skilled workforce which was affecting the work of whole
industry as they were not working properly, feels fear to accept the challenges and new process
that might be create a problem for running a business and sustaining in competitive environment.
As an engineer of assignment I was the responsible to manage all workings and activities I needs
to solve the problem where I analysed my skills and found that I am much good in getting skilled
workforce and providing them training which an opportunity became for me to analyse the skills
of all staff and involves in my team who are ready to work with flexibility by understanding their
roles and responsibilities clearly. In duration, I noticed that my team working skills and openness
personality is also good that helped me to face the problems which were arising in handling the
project (Szenes and Tilakaratna, 2020).
While going through classes I learnt that if an organisation is having skilled and talented
staff then it will be easy to solve the problems and manage the all workings. So I noticed that my
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team members were very intelligent who understand the assignment and started to work with me
willingly that have shown that I have talented people who will help me to complete the project.
The third problem was lower level of reliability of subcontractors that influenced the
construction industry negatively and reduced the productivity. As all knows that subcontractors
are the important part of business who signs a contract to perform all obligations of another’s
contract.
To sustain in competitive marketing there required having good relation reliability with
subcontractors which can help to receive lot of contracts on behalf of them and increase the
organisational image in competitive environment. This difficulty was facing by me as
subcontractors had no reliability and confidence on workings due to which other organisation
were taking the opportunities and running their business. At that time I noticed that better
coordination, numeracy, mapping, and analytical thinking, design experts skills I have which
become my strength to solve the problem and manage the project for completing it on time
(Huang, Klein and Beck, 2020). With the help of coordination and numeracy skills I build the
confidence of subcontractors that have improved my learning skills and experience that how to
handle the critical things. While working on given project I felt nervous as some conflicts arisen
while working on given project which I overcome from my problem solving skills and have
motivate all staff to work collectively by accepting challenges. These all skills helped me to
manage and organise all activities in effective manner and complete the task in certain time
period that will give me good employment opportunity in future as well as maintain the
sustainability in industry (Parida, Sjödin and Reim, 2019).
As an engineer it was very important for me to figure out all the issues that are affecting
the construction industry because with the help of it, I will be able to find the issues which could
be faced by me in future. Some of the major problems that were identified by me were decreased
knowledge about innovation, lack of skilled workforce, lower level of reliability of
subcontractors, issues related to lack of communication, increment in Co2 emission etc. All these
problems are currently affecting the whole engineering industry and for all the companies that
are operating under it, it is very important to figure causes of them and deal with them (Reddy,
Cameselle and Adams, 2019). While finding the issues I faced various challenges like lack of
knowledge of using the online sources to figure out the problems, detailed information of
solutions for dealing design problems etc.
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When I researched about the industry then it helped me to improve my knowledge about
the issues which are faced by the organisations that are involved in construction activities. Apart
from this, I realised that if the businesses will not be able to deal with such issues then it will be
very difficult for the whole industry to attain sustainability. I was having good communication,
research and time management skills that helped me to gather detailed information of all the
issues from online as well as other sources. Apart from this, I tool help of my class mates and
tutors who helped me to find detailed information regarding all the issues that are leaving
negative impacts upon the whole industry (Rosca, Reedy and Bendul, 2018).
After finding all the issues my next task is to find the methodologies which could be
applied for the purpose of finding solutions to resolve the issues. Some of the main techniques
which were used by me for the same purpose were brainstorming, stakeholder analysis,
modelling and graphing. With the help of all of them I was able to determine that the issues that
are affecting the industry will dealt systematically with effective solutions or not. All these
techniques were focused with different types of issues like brainstorming was used to analyse the
innovations that should be taken in to consideration. On the other hand, stakeholder analysis
helped me to understand the importance of communication and reliability of subcontractors. By
using all these methodologies, I was able to find appropriate solution for the problems that are
were faced by me while completing the whole assignment (Serhan and Yannou-Lebris, 2020).
Whole completing this project, I also faced some of the challenges like having no
information about the ways which could be used for dealing with all the negative situations in the
construction industry. As I was playing the role of engineer so it was very important for me to be
sure that I will be able to deal with all the issues systematically. As an engineer it was very
important for me to make sure that I will be finding ways to respond all the problems
systematically. My critical thinking skills are not very good and due to this I took more time in
analysing solutions for the issues that are taking place within the engineering industry (Silvestre
and Ţîrcă, 2019).
On the other hand, my skills like effective decision making and problem solving helped
me to respond the issues systematically because it facilitated me to take right decision in difficult
situation. Some of the main solutions which were proposed by me after completing research
about the issues were paying attention towards innovations like use of self-healing concrete in
the constriction activities, providing proper training to all the staff members etc. Additionally,
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some of the other ways were making sure that all the subcontractors that are contacted by the
entity are highly reliable, assuring proper communication and using stabilise wedge etc. By
paying attention towards all of them the entities within the engineering industry will be able to
deal with all the issues that are faced by them (Singh, Maiyar and Bhowmick, 2020).
In my opinion the major issue which is affecting the whole industry is lack of knowledge
and use of innovation because it is very important for the whole industry to make sure that it is
using latest technologies and following the trends to carry out operations systematically. In order
to deal with this problem, the industry can pay attention towards use of self-healing concreate.
By using it, the work and life of surfaces will be improved as the cracks will be filled by these
concreates. It is one of the latest trends and unique product which is used by engineering entities
so that they can provide an opportunity to the entities to attain competitive advantage and
sustainability for themselves. If the entities in the industry will be using it them it can benefit
them because the possibility of damaged property in future will be reduced with the help of it as
it lies for almost 200 years which is a longer period (Yang, Mills-Beale and You, 2017).
Apart from this, the whole project facilitated me to improve my knowledge and skills and if
in future I will be assigned same projects like this then I will make sure that I research about the
industry in more detail and improve my skills. It will help me to be focused with my career goal
and objective (Yin, Chen and Zhao, 2019).
CONCLUSION
From the above project report, it has been concluded that innovation is very important to
be focused by the engineering industry s it can help to attain sustainability. For all the entities
within the industry it is very important to make sure that they are able to determine the issues
that are affecting the whole industry. Some of the main problems that are taking place within the
engineering are lack of innovation, Co2 emission, decreased communication, unreliable
subcontractors etc. It is very important to use effective methodologies so that solutions for all of
them could be analysed. Some of them are brainstorming, modelling, stakeholder analysis etc.
Some of the solutions which could be focused by the industry to deal with all the issues that are
faced by the engineering sector are using self-healing concreate, proper communication between
staff and employer etc.
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