4 ms·

I sure hope you're right. It wasn't drilled into me when I was in engineering school (mid-2000s), but I will heartily confirm that operators are a fantastic res

I sure hope you're right. It wasn't drilled into me when I was in engineering school (mid-2000s), but I will heartily confirm that operators are a fantastic resource. Interviewing operators is definitely not optional if you want to succeed. Engineers who just leap in often look foolish and face a lot of resistance getting upgrades implemented (well, ideally at least). That said, operators tend to be masters of their section, but do not often have a comprehensive high-level view (excepting relief operators, who need to have a good idea of the whole process to cover multiple positions). As a result, I treat their input as a deposition or raw data/evidence: pure, unfiltered signal. Some interpretation is likely needed to make it fit into the overall whole of the process, but it's miles away better than guessing or just trusting assumptions! Process engineering is a comprehensive and collaborative field. Leave operators out, and you're just not looking at the process. People matter. A lot.

a_olt 13y ago
This story is probably part of the "blue collar innovation" legends. For more: http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/innovate.asp http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/innovate.asp "The legend about a low-level employee who pipes up with a shockingly brilliant yet simple suggestion that either makes or saves his employer untold millions of dollars has long been part of the canon of business legends."
- HCIdivision17 13y ago
  No doubt. But these sorts of things also do happen. I used a 20 dollar pen cam off eBay for diagnostics once, avoiding tens of thousands in diagnostic downtime needed otherwise and found a root cause of an otherwise undetected massive failure mode. All because the blasted thing fit. (Full disclosure: the idea started with a plant tech who wondered if there was an application for the pens - research and testing later showed it safe under our operating conditions (a small explosion was possible).) It's a rare opportunity, but magical when it happens (and modern, cheap tech is magical for heavy industry).
  - a_olt 13y ago
    Oh sorry, I didn't realise the connotations of "legend". I just wanted to refer to other similar/related stories. Interesting story.
    - HCIdivision17 13y ago
      I really wish I didn't default to reading the word "legend" as implausible. I don't use it in spoken conversation that way, at least. I like another poster's point that even if it's not real, it's still useful as a parable, so your link to more is appreciated!
    - prewett 13y ago
      "tales" might be what you were looking for. They could be either true, embellished, or not true but a great tale.

a_olt 13y ago

This story is probably part of the "blue collar innovation" legends. For more: http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/innovate.asp http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/innovate.asp "The legend about a low-level employee who pipes up with a shockingly brilliant yet simple suggestion that either makes or saves his employer untold millions of dollars has long been part of the canon of business legends."

HCIdivision17 13y ago
No doubt. But these sorts of things also do happen. I used a 20 dollar pen cam off eBay for diagnostics once, avoiding tens of thousands in diagnostic downtime needed otherwise and found a root cause of an otherwise undetected massive failure mode. All because the blasted thing fit. (Full disclosure: the idea started with a plant tech who wondered if there was an application for the pens - research and testing later showed it safe under our operating conditions (a small explosion was possible).) It's a rare opportunity, but magical when it happens (and modern, cheap tech is magical for heavy industry).
- a_olt 13y ago
  Oh sorry, I didn't realise the connotations of "legend". I just wanted to refer to other similar/related stories. Interesting story.
  - HCIdivision17 13y ago
    I really wish I didn't default to reading the word "legend" as implausible. I don't use it in spoken conversation that way, at least. I like another poster's point that even if it's not real, it's still useful as a parable, so your link to more is appreciated!
  - prewett 13y ago
    "tales" might be what you were looking for. They could be either true, embellished, or not true but a great tale.