The Engine & Speed breakers

Surprised at the title? No body has seen speed breakers on a rail track. Thank God there are none! But I am writing about corporate Engines and speed breakers today. Metro design offices included.

As we all know a train has an engine and boggies which it pulls. There is a track and there are signals. To climb harder slopes sometimes more than one engine is deployed. Now a team leader has a role to play that is of an engine. It pulls the boggies or staff who carry the work load. Track represents the guidelines and systems to keep things moving streamlined. Signals represent self checks for control and avoiding errors.

The team leader is required to be strong, motivating, able to keep the team moving towards target and to lead from from front. An engine has a limited capacity and cannot pull more than stipulated load. Similarly in corporate offices it is seen when workload increases boggies or staff are increased to share the workload but engines are not increased. In many cases the teamleaders start putting obstacles or speed breakers for deployment of new engines or teamleaders despite increased workload only to retain his/her power. The fears that another engine will take over him result in speedbreaker like situation where the workload is not handled in smooth manner and the teamleader suffers lack of energy to cope with pulling of load alone.

This is situation in most of corporate design offices. And once this happens the profits starts going downhill. A good and effective leader will always respect the talent without fearing it, allow it to take role as another teamleader and workload becomes easier to handle. Ineffective teamleaders are afraid, they keep on adding more junior staff instead of new teamleads. This only results in increasing their own workload.

At workplace motivation, appreciation and rewards  are necessary. If a teamleader wants his own growth, he or she needs to allow growth of the team members. Putting speed breaker in way of team ultimately makes the workplace stressfull and in the end non productive. Companies when realise this after setbacks and complaints from clients have already  lost credibility in market and soon their engines are parked. Talent and merit needs encouragement and empowering so that collective energy is harvested in interest of company.

मेट्रो डिज़ाइन में घुसा डर का भूत

मुझे हंसी आती है जब एक अच्छे खासे मेट्रो स्टेशन के डिज़ाइन को तोड़ मरोड़ दिया जाता है। इनमे से एक बड़ा कारण है - डर का भूत। अक्सर ये भूत उन लोगों पर सवार होता है जो ऐसी ऐसी दलीलें देकर डिज़ाइन खराब करवा देते हैं। कुछ रत्न ढूंढ कर लाया हूँ ऐसे महान वक्तव्यों का - गौर करें----
1. अरे भाई ये इंडिया है - हमारे कांट्रेक्टर ये सब नही बना सकते। (अबे फिर ऐसे कांट्रेक्टर क्यों रखते हो?)
2. पिछली बार स्टेशन में पानी भर गया था, इस बार एक बूंद भी पानी अंदर नही आना चाहिये। (लो कर लो बात, हवा कहां से आएगी )
3. कोर कटिंग कर लेंगे बाद में, पहले GFC इशू कर दो (पहले GFC का मतलब तो समझ ले)
4. वेंडर से शॉप ड्राइंग दिलवा दीजिये तो हम डिज़ाइन ड्राइंग दे देंगे (वेंडर को रात में सपना आएगा कि क्या बनाना है)
5. आर्किटेक्ट को कहो कि साइट पर as built कंडीशन देखकर ड्राइंग इशू कर दे (भाई अब तक का काम कैसे करा था)
6. कोई चीज़ राइटिंग में नही आनी चाहिए इशू बंनाने से फालतू फसेंगे (हो गयी क्वालिटी कंट्रोल की ऐसी की तैसी).
7. ये तो फाल्स सीलिंग से छुपा देंगे (लेकिन ठीक नही करेंगे)

सोच है या शौचालय?

Yes or No of Architecture

Architects are creative and emotional. They have ability to convert feelings into spaces and can design spaces to inspire feelings. People with original creativity are repulsed by rejection as it hurts them. This feeling grows stronger when the rejection comes from another professional. Some feel it is part of the job, some take it as personal attack.

I feel that saying "No" to an Architect is unproductive as it slows down or stops the creative process. A "Yes" on the other hand starts things, put motion into creative thinking and lets the process grow.

The virtues of positive appreciation  combined with suggestive betterments bring a positive energy into design process rather than saying a "No". No as such has negativity associated with it and needs to be used carefully. The word no generates fear and hate while yes is associated with gratitude and appreciation.

The choice is ours how to use No and Yes. We have to decide either we move forward or stop in stubbornness.

Atleast you can say Yes if you agree😌

The Purpose matters

Life is not that simple in this era of ultra fast existence. Metro projects and designers working on it are equally affected by the way things happen. Do you like or dislike what you are doing depends upon your mindset. Most often your heart tells you something and mind tells you to do opposite. A conflicting situation. Made worse by egos. I like this, I dislike that, I dont like doing it and I would have gladly done that are daily moods which we all go through. Does this make you at peace or you feel that happiness is lost in this daily grind.

Replace your likes with a *purpose*. Identify a goal for which you feel happy to work. Subordinate your likes or dislikes to your *sense of purpose*. And you will see the difference.

As an Architect when I work, I try to set a purpose or a goal to be achieved at the end of my assignment. To me it is delivery of a successful metro project. Along the way situations happen, clashes occur, tempers flare and what not. My likes and dislikes in form of situations and people try to push me out of my chosen path. But I am learning or trying to practice that I do not loose my sense of purpose. I try to relook at situations again from the  point of view of my own goals. And adjust my actions and reactions accordingly. Sometimes I fail and sometimes I move ahead. But I keep on sticking to my sense of purpose, my ultimate goal. I have found it is easier and happier to follow my own goals rather than working to goals set by others.

Success is still not guaranteed. If one plan A fails, I change to plan B, C.... but try not to change my purpose or my goal.

I have also learnt that the worst situations and worst people give me a chance to learn the best lessons.

And I just shared this one with you. Have a sense of purpose. This is what matters!!

False Projections and Offers

From Reliable sources.

Atleast 3 companies in field of metro consultancy are now involved in unethical head hunting. I will not name them here, but a cautionary note to Metro Architects. Please check with existing employees of a company before you make a switch. It is a fact that 2 companies are either not paying agreed salary after joining or delaying the payments by months altogether. They promise through their HR people and normally have on their targets candidates with good credentials. These companies are using the CVs to capture projects in times of high competition and once they secure the project then they indulge in lowly tactics.

My advise is that if you work for a company which has a name and good reputation, staff are treated well and the company has shown consistent growth, please dont leave it only for money sake. Workplace satisfaction is more important. Also avoid companies which hire new people at higher rate but do not promote or elevate older staff.

As metro consultancy is now project based, the hiring is done keeping in mind the fixed tenures of employees.

I get a lot if requests from young Architects, who are already working for some good firms but want to leave just because of money.

If a company has spent time and money in your trainings and case study visits, the company is serious about you. Your promotion will depend upon your performance.

It is better to stay with a consistent and growing company rather than falling prey to disreputed firms.

These 3 culprit companies are sadly of  Indian ownership.

Billa First safety next

National safety week almost gone. Over the organisations people adorn "billa" or badges with safety first slogan. Over the years safety implementation on sites have become more of posters and badges, that too limited to some few people. What has been actually going down rapudly is real truthful implementation.

No jokes, on any normal day just have a walk on site and notice. As myself an IOSH  trained safety professional my concerns which need urgent attention on metros are:
1. Proper safety induction of all site staff down to the daily wage labourer.
2. Proper PPE to all workers. A lot of manual labourers on site are denied proper PPE and with wornout and torn safety shoes they are at higher risk.
3. Proper drinking water, toilets and shaded resting places for site workers.
4. Hygenic conditions and proper sanitation with mess, entertainment and washing facilities at labour camps with Baalwadi (Childcare).
5. Adequate first aid and medical facilities.
6. Legal insurances in place.

We all talk proudly about nation building but are indifferent towards the unkown worker who despite working on a mega project like metro lives a life exploited by others.

Contractors pass on the risk to subcons and further to small labour gangs. We wear the badges and they bear the hardship.

Why dont you see for yourself sometimes. Talk to a labourer, visit their labour camp once to see conditions, check arrangements on site and come back to read the conditions for safety provisions to be done. The contrast will not allow your conscience to touch that badge again.

Kadwa hai magar sach hai.

My way or Highway Situation

Got this query from a DDC Architect which is self exlpanatory.

"There are many times when things are out of our control. And Client wants to work in particular way and want everything his/her way. He shows The attitude of my way or the highway every time. And you are forced to accept that let's do his/her way and finish it. Then in this situation how to keep yourself motivated to work daily?"

My response to the same:
1. Well, I face this everyday myself and open to suggestions by others.

2. Possible reasons why clients do it in metro sector:-
2.a. Client side is smarter than you, more competent and knows that things can be made better by revising. Client needs faster execution at site and expects constructible designs.
2.b. Client side is biased against you due to professional rivalary and wants you to give up.
2.c. Client side is incompetent, got his/her job without merit but misuses power. Will not take responsibility of his/her actions.
2.d. Client side is trying to delay the project to ensure their jobs for a longer duration tenure.

Now if the case is as per 2.a above, you need to understand clients requirements once again in details, take notes and discuss with your seniors how best to deliver. Try to get an agreement with client on things to be revised before you carry out the works. A good professional client may also give you variation for preferential changes.

However if the case falls in 2.b to 2.d, stop dancing to clients' tunes. Make a record of things which you feel are not alright and put across to client in writing that you disagree with professional reasons. Put responsibility on the person with time and costs impacts and ask his/her reconfirmation to continue. If problem remains unanswered with verbal instructions only, keep sending 2 reminders and finally a delays claim to higher authority with backup correspondence. You may need support of your higher management.

This problem is becoming more and more on many metro projects and we all know the reasons. At times problem creaters needs to be exposed by naming and shaming them. There shall be no fear in a true professional to remove obstacles in path of nation's progress. Do your best, make records and do not accept unnecessary attitude.

Here since metro projects are govt. based and client side actually means responsible persons / private bodies appointed by govt. for project.

Also in worst case it is better to be on highway as it leads to many more ways rather than getting stuck with a dumb head client. Whoever wants myway need to take the responsibility.

Free Offer

Free Offer

We read the news. Govt. has been made to believe  that free things are good and they roll out invitations for free concept planning. Who is responsible?

Hafeez Contractor who offered to design for free? No I do not think he is responsible for this. Then who?

First we try to understand the possible reasons behind Hafeez's (HC) offer.
1. When other Architects were busy churning box like residential buildings in Mumbai in 80s, HC came out with out of the box architectural treatment to his buildings and was a great success.  Others hated him for that and still do. I myself worked on his NRI housing project as freelance job once. HC was a tycoon for Architecture and even featured on National Geographic.

2. When metros started in Delhi, due to technology transfer Japanese MNCs came in and established norms for metros for India. Nobody in Mumbai had an idea how to do metros and metros remained exclusive to select MNCs even for phase 2 and 3. Other cities followed DMRC and same MNCs could be seen there as well. Once again due to qualifying criteria HC could not enter.

3. MNCs started cutting fee and lowered standards as competition grew among themselves. Copy paste increased and no innovation was done. Almost after 20 years of DMRC works quality has become degraded due design and quality management faults. MNCs are hiring untrained staff, no standard procedure and basics are wrong in designs.

4. In the meantime age old Indian railways looks at metros and prepare DDC qualification criteria hard for Indian firms to enter. Indian firms start looking for foreign JVs.

5. From past 3 years, real estate is doomed and Architects like HC sense that without infrastructure projects they cannot sustain.

6. HC starts looking at already built stations, gets hold of design records and knows instantly what is going to sell. There is enough manpower in Indian market to bring with them technical expertise for which he will pay. But his visionary mind has seen that how things have degraded over the years and he will try his luck by putting in innovative aesthetical treatments for which he is undisputed master. Where as the current DDCs are still churning out typical govt. like buildings.

7. Hafeez ensured some work in metros already, now has insight into what can be done to make it more sellable. He is eyeing a larger picture taking advantage of his fame and contacts.

8. Hafeez knows that consultancy in both railways and metro sectors in India are driven by vested interests, already high competition and unproductive Architectural fee as a result of MNCs lowering costs and standards.

9. Hafeez free designs will be with an edge above the current copy paste designs for which he has adequate manpower, whereas other MNCs will have to spend for good concept generation. HC knows it well, done his homework and ready to strike.

10. As a rule he is gambling in this game and will never count his money when sitting on the table. He will count it when the deal comes through. Others will have hard time arranging the gamble money.

Hafeez Uncle (he is very senior to us) at this age has nothing to loose and even his failure to secure railway or metro jobs will have an impact on MNCs but will open doors for some talented guys ready to work in such scenarios.

My advise to people working for MNCs including me - love your opportunities not your company. I am sure when the times are low you are bound to be kicked out first.

Rlys and metros will call for PPP mode of development and contractors will prefer hard working professionals and thats the hope HC has to offer to the country.

Last thing - Successful people are hated for their success by competition. And now arena is open to all.

The Two Elements

Once you are ready with your mission statement to achieve a vision, you need to practice two essential elements during the course of the project.

Josiah Charles Stamp, an English economist once said "It's easier to dodge our responsibilities but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities".

One essential element to achieve the success is *Responsibility*. You need to work towards the goal with total responsibility. I will call it Response - ability. The ability to chose our responses as we work to challenging and difficult situations. Remember you are responsible for your actions and your own success. Never run away from your responsibilities.

Another essential element is *Descipline*. Descpline is simply setting up rules and follow these for time, productivity and quality purposes. A non descplined approach will never result in desired outcome of efforts put. Descipline is not only a personal trait to be developed but it is your life's tool to help you in your pursuits.

As I finish, I sincerely hope that the series of writeups will help people setup things better and with own personal improvisations goals can be achieved as desired.

Working to a vision

We talked about Vision last. How to exactly achieve that vision? Remember that the vision statement provided could be by others and you have with you your imagination and creativity.

You need to prepare yourself for that. Most important is that you understand the vision fully as I told in my last writeup. Next thing is that you concentrate on something before actually working on your design. If you want to be successful, prepare a step by step implementation plan. Defence forces do it, mountaineers do it and sports person do it. And this something is called as *Mission Statement*.

A mission statement shall focus on various steps needed for delivering the works to achieve the vision. A mission statement will get you clarity on the processes you need to do for achieving your goals. Note down whatever associated with the targets comes to your mind. Sequence the steps in a logical manner. Build checks and flexibility in the steps to startover again should you find things not going perfect. Make room for improvements as you move towards writing final steps. Bring elements of joy and pride associated with milestones of your mission statement ensuring that you like what you do. Keep failure as an option and write steps for plan B in case things fail. Review your mission statement twice after you think it is final. Make final adjustments and keep a printout of it in front of your work place. And if you put some time and resources against step, you will have a great mission statement at your hands.

Working to a clear vision with a mission does not guarantee success always but thats the best route to be successful. There are two other elements which you will need to be sure shot successful. 🏆

We will discuss that later...... next time. Or somebody from our group can guess those two things. Try it...

VISION

VISION

We talked about imagination last. We talked how creativity is driven by imagination. There is something above both which is called VISION.

Often we hear of the word and context of Great Visionaries. Often leaders are associated with visionary word. Whether a visionary needs to be imaginative and creative?

No, not necessarily. But a visionary is able to look into the future and takes steps to make his vision a reality. What ordinary people's eyes cannot see, a visionary is able to make that happen.

Having capability as a visionary is a personal trait. Cannot be taught but needs to be developed through self introspection.

For Architects the clients gives requirements and gets a design in return. We write - Issued for clients approval.  Architects seek approval on their creativity and imagination sometimes from a client who is not an expert in both. But still we seek the approval and keep changing things till the time client approves.

Client only approves once he thinks that the designs are in line with his vision. And thats the truth we must accept.

A fine Architect is able to read client's mind and becomes part of client's vision. He is able to channelise the things to suit clients ideas and able to produce a synopsis in form of Vision statement. So understand the vision first and then work to it.

How thats done I will tell in my next write up.