Post by: Ryan Kerr, Read Part 1 of this article here.
Problem Solving.
To me, land development engineering is all about problem-solving and strategy. At DSEL, we apply our passion for problem-solving and strategy to delivering on our Clients’ key interests, and shaping communities.
A Clients key interests may be:
- Reducing servicing costs
- Reducing earthworks costs and timing
- Exploring different concept plans to maximize yield
- Understanding grading constraints that are causing retaining walls
- Exploring options to reduce stormwater management pond sizes
- Developing a servicing strategy that makes them independent of neighbouring properties
and the list goes on…
The Client’s key interests introduce many variables in the land development equation. To solve this multi-variable equation requires experience, strategy, and problem solving – but it also requires work. To properly assess how all of our Client’s key interests interrelate and co-mingle on a specific property requires us to run several options and iterate; there is no way around it. This is the nature of problem solving.
- Raising the road grades may require more earthworks, but it could save on sewer and servicing costs? Run it, let’s see if we can net our Client’s a savings.
- Moving the pond may save on earthworks costs, but could cause extensive retaining walls? Run it, let’s see compare the cost-benefit.
- Will by-passing our neighbours property with a sewer be too deep and expensive? Run it, let’s see the depth and associated costs – and let out Clients decide if its worth it.
- If we lower the road grades to improve earthworks, will be have enough cover, and will we have pipe crossing issues? Run it, let’s see if it’s a viable solution to save our Clients money.
WOW, that’s a lot of work! For most, that’s too much work. For DSEL, it’s just right.
DSEL has created automation software that allows us to quickly run servicing, grading, pond, and costing for 5 to 10 creative solutions (in days, not weeks) to see which is/are the best to meet our Clients needs. We call this process our 10 Minute Subdivision.
I touched on it in my last post, but automation allows us to be creative and produce alternatives in bulk – identifying for our Clients the pros/cons of each option to their key interests. It may take 5 + alternatives to land on the one that best suits our Client’s needs – so what – with automation that is now in reach, and fast!
We distill the technical information into a slick presentation drawing, that is easy to understand for our team and Clients. It is critical the Client is making an informed decision by understanding the interrelationship between their priorities, and the associated costs. We want this process to be simple. I get excited about seeing the finished product of all those scenarios and iterations, the results I get to walk our Clients through, and the satisfaction I know my Clients are getting a well-developed solutions custom to their needs.
Precision.
With the correct amount of precision at the correct stage in the process – everybody wins.
Precision at the right time in the project is critical. DSEL’s approach to precision is to bake it in to the process early, and our software allows us to do this during preliminary design.
I don’t lose sleep at night wondering if I left enough factor-of-safety in the conceptual design. Could I run into a pipe crossing issue? Find out I don’t have minimum cover on a sewer, and have to start all over again? The answer is no, because we lean on software and automation to prepare very precise and detailed information VERY early in the engineering process. The loose ends are tied before they can become a problem, and put to bed.
DSEL’s Principle David Schaeffer has said many times – if you are going to do it, do it right the first time. What that translates to, is if your are going to run grading and sewer design, do it with enough precision to know it is correct – don’t take half measures to save time – and stop when its close enough. You are eventually going to do it with full precision – why do imprecise in the first place? It wastes time and costs money to do it twice. Our automation software allows us to be precise the first time, very early in the process, and skip the imprecise first approximation. This saves time and money.
Our Clients benefit from precision, and precision early in the process, by knowing they did not leave anything on the table from being overly conservative due to lack of detail during preliminary engineering. Precision during early stages of design sets the project up for success through detailed design; helping our Clients achieve approvals with fewer changes through detailed design, and providing better predictability through the process.
The Client makes significant decisions about their property development early in the process (e.g Secondary Plan level). We like to arm our Clients with precise and detailed information earlier in the process – so they can understand lot type (split vs deck units), grading challenges, approval challenges, etc. – and make the best decision possible.
If you are a land developer and interested in learning more – please reach out. Alternatively, if you are skeptical and don’t believe a 10 Day Subdivision is possible, or that Easy Check Drawings seem too good to be true – let us show you! We would be happy to present for you what we have been working on – and you decide for yourself. If you can’t tell already, we are proud of our developments, and think the industry is overdue for a shake-up.
If you are an engineer, and believe you are a fit for DSEL’s innovative and creative environment – or simply relate to the above – please see our available job postings. More creative minds will yield more creative solutions.
About the Author: Ryan Kerr
I am the Project Administration Department Manager, and a shareholder at DSEL. My role as PADM is to provide strategic direction for community-scale projects, mentor staff, and grow the business. I am a highly competitive individual with a passion for solving problems, puzzles, strategy games, building things, and being creative. My role at DSEL allows me to tap into what I love most about engineering, and nothing more. My personal life is full to the brim with four children, and their very active lifestyles; when I am using MYFlex-36 or on weekend, you can find me at the local rink or field.