Welcome to the “Next Step”.
Engineers often choose 1 of the 3 following paths:
1) Prescribed Specifications: Sticking to the status quo owner specified coating systems and known application procedures.
2) Performance-Based Specifications: Move away from ‘prescribed specifications’ (does not provide a long term solution to structure critical corrosion) and asking what performance characteristics they would like to see from the materials they purchase and how these characteristics might fit into their worlds: Let’s talk performance (sample checklist)
3) Outcome-Based (Solution Based) Specifications: Where a problem statement is issued to your consulting firms and contractors clearly defining the corrosion issues on the structure inviting alternate proposals, which they have used to address the clearly defined problems and the onus of responsibility for a guaranteed outcome is covered by them.
Both Performance Based and Outcome Based approaches require more team work than simply picking a specification off the shelf. Teamwork requires communication.
- Who can be involved? Engineers, Environmentalists, Contractor Applicators
- Is anyone “stuck” on a particular position? Read Getting to Yes.
- Do the proposed corrosion mitigation solution offering address your specific concerns? Corrosion Survey list. Can the manufacturer provide you with satisfactory evidence to back performance claims?
- Were case study references provided to confirm performance claims over a minimum five-year period?
Putting everyone on the same page.
- Now that all are in agreement about WHAT YOU WANT in terms of both PERFORMANCE AND OUTCOME, an important next step is managing expectations.
- A hidden dimension of team building is managing emotional phases.
Emotional Phase 1: Excitement of something new.
Emotional Phase 2: Peak of Inflated Expectations,
Once everyone is in agreement and excited, it can be good to step back and add in a reality check step webinar. “Happy eager people” appreciate it when suppliers walk them through APPLICATION FAILURES to initiate sobering and open discussions between group members. For example, we like to promote webinars to review surface preparation and chemistry application steps while blending in Misapplied Installations reviews to demonstrate that 30 years of success is not always the case when specifications are not followed. This has been shown to be best way for a 3rd party (supplier) to help bridge the gap between Inflated Expectations to Enlightenment. [to prevent any finger pointing further down the line.]
Finger pointing (otherwise known as the “Trough of Disillusionment” is always a win/lose game. Tempering over-zealousness and discussing ‘worst possible scenarios’ up-front is a great way to sidestep any blame games (or surprise costs) that can arise from such initiatives.
Slope of Enlightenment: Team members stop resisting and objectively realize that all is good and these new changes actually live up to the claims!,
Plateau of Productivity: Is when full adoption has taken place, habits form and team members “own” the new approach || technology || rules || teammates || etc.
Conclusion: You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want) – so remembering to include consideration of the emotional ebbs and flows will inevitably result in very satisfied team members and Asset Owners.