Articles
How to Travel Worry-free for…
There is already too much work. And now I need to travel for work? Now there is more to do. And even more to remember! How will I manage? 1…
How to Greatly Improve Your…
This article describes how to greatly improve your resume (Section 1) and cover letter (Section 2) at a high level. It also describes the benefits of using a career coach…
What Learning Danish Really Taught…
Worldwide, only 6 million people speak Danish. Why learn it? Because, while reaching the destination is rewarding, it is in the journey that we learn the real lessons. It is…
How to Reduce the File…
Read the article here: How to Reduce the File Size of Documents and Photographs So They Can Be Emailed Note Because of the complex nature of this article, with many…
Processing Supplier Non-conformance Reports: Are…
A supplier non-conformance report (NCR) is often a bain (a thing that ruins or spoils) that causes chronic headaches and drains money and time from capital projects in energy and…
SQS and Technology: Adapt or…
For supplier quality surveillance (SQS), using shared folders and Microsoft (MS) Excel spreadsheets is tried and true (proven in the past to be effective and reliable). However, some information technology…
How Smart Projects Review Welding…
1 Introduction This article summarizes considerations and requirements for welding procedure specification (WPS) reviews. Smart projects review WPSs as described in this article. Suppliers (i.e., constructors, fabricators, manufacturers, or organizations)…
Creating Video Presentations Using PowerPoint…
Introduction Did you know it is possible to create high-quality Microsoft (MS) PowerPoint presentations with audio and video narration using PowerPoint alone? It is! I recently discovered this and started…
Reading a Glossary for Advancement…
Introduction Reading a glossary for career advancement and enjoyment is becoming increasingly common. Read a glossary to: Confirm understanding of known terminology; For enjoyment and to lighten mood; Improve education;…
Case Study: A Supplier Quality…
1 Abstract The project’s supplier quality surveillance (SQS) plan was prepared using a conventional criticality rating procedure (Section 2.2). Before and after purchase order (PO) award, these unexpected changes occurred…
Hydrogen: An Introduction to the…
This article introduces and contains a brief overview of the history of hydrogen, describes pros and cons of hydrogen, and discusses factors for bringing hydrogen to the market in Canada…
Miscommunication at a Government Job…
Introduction The Glossary of Common Industry and Project Terminology, a Knowledge Transfer (KT) Project guideline, defines a government job as work performed for one’s own benefit using an employer’s resources…
Top Ten Myths of Third-party…
Misunderstanding of third-party inspection is caused by hidden knowledge gaps and not limited to inexperienced personnel. Third-party inspection (inspection) is a strategy used by capital projects in energy and other…
A Simple Solution for Complex…
Companies know capital projects often cost more and take longer than expected[1]. These problems are recognized industry-wide and significant. An increasing number of projects are delivered behind schedule, beyond the…
The Solution to the Project…
Recently, I discussed the never-ending challenge of project communication with a friend, a professional who works in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. Our discussion got interesting … and quickly!…
What is the First World?
Once, my 12-year-old son asked what the first, second, and third worlds are. I said: You are standing by a swimming pool on the roof of a hotel, with an…
For Project Success, Say and…
The Project Management Institute’s report The Essential Role of Communication revealed that ineffective communication has a negative impact on project success >50% of the time. So, why make it difficult…
What Reading is Essential for…
Introduction Reading is a known career advancement strategy. Self-directed reading is key to earning and maintaining professional credentials. Daily reading has many benefits including increased knowledge and reduced stress, and…
Stacking Lumber: What My Father…
Like lessons from most fathers, the advice I received from my father was as influential as it was pervasive. The knowledge he passed to me affects the way I approach…
Supplier Quality Surveillance Before and…
Inspection strategies have not changed but inspection considerations have. COVID-19 is an infectious virus that was first identified in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. Its spread has become a global pandemic.…
Precast Concrete Needs Alternative Inspection…
Inspection is part of an effective supplier quality surveillance (SQS) program that successful projects use to ensure equipment and materials are delivered complete, correct, and on-time. Occasionally, an oil &…
Is Your Project Using the…
Words are the master key to successful communication. Communication is the master key to successful projects. According to the article What Are the Causes of Communication Failure?, three (of four)…
We Need Smart Boots More…
Projects need to work smarter with fewer resources but will always need boots on the ground. The Engineering News-Record article Three Industries That Are Helping Drive Construction Companies Forward makes…
Canada’s Oil & Gas Workforce…
New talent will need to be attracted and retained, while knowledge will need to be transferred from the existing and departing talent. Research by PetroLMI about Canada’s oil & gas…
A Pipeline’s First and Best…
A pipeline’s first and best line of defense against corrosion damage is the external coatings. Coatings are only one of many methods, technologies, and practices used to ensure pipeline integrity…
Free Resources for Inspection Knowledge
Education is an ever-important part of a successful career, but your education is not finished after obtaining a diploma or degree; the secret is that your learning should never stop.…
Tips for Awesome Excel Printing
Do your Excel files print-out into un-formatted pages that require rework and are unsightly? Do your clients and co-workers cringe when you send an Excel file that they need to…
The Ultimate Skills Challenge –…
Read the article here: The Ultimate Skills Challenge — Pipe vs. Plate Welder. Related: Effective Supplier Quality Surveillance (SQS). Note This article was originally published by the AWS Welding Journal in the December 2015…
How to Achieve FAT Success…
Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) is used to verify equipment compliance to project requirements and specifications INTRODUCTION When an internet search reveals limited results, it may be for one of two…
More Tips on Tipping and…
Here are more tips for meals that are a business expense and getting reimbursed INTRODUCTION The article How to Tip Your Server at a Restaurant offers excellent advice about tipping. …
MTR Turnover–What is it Good…
If you think that MTR turnover to owner-users is always required, think again! It is a commonly held belief with oil & gas (O&G), oil sands, and pipeline projects that…
Quality Matters
Quality Definitions for EP Projects Several quality-related terms are often used interchangeably by engineering and procurement (EP) projects and their clients or suppliers to describe various activities, but in fact,…
How to Write an Effective…
And Make it Easy for Clients to Choose Your Services INTRODUCTION There are oceans of information on the internet and in other resources for writing an employment curriculum vitae (CV)…
Practical Business Development Ideas for…
Note: This article is the sixth in a series of six that appeared in the Canadian Institute for NDE (CINDE) Journal throughout 2012. These articles address valuable business ideas for…
Practical Business Development Ideas for…
Note: This article is the fifth in a series of six that appeared in the Canadian Institute for NDE (CINDE) Journal throughout 2012. These articles address valuable business ideas for…
Practical Business Development Ideas for…
Note: This article is the fourth in a series of six that appeared in the Canadian Institute for NDE (CINDE) Journal throughout 2012. These articles address valuable business ideas for…
Practical Business Development Ideas for…
Note: This article is the third in a series of six that appeared in the Canadian Institute for NDE (CINDE) Journal throughout 2012. These articles address valuable business ideas for…
Practical Business Development Ideas for…
Note: This article is the second in a series of six that appeared in the Canadian Institute for NDE (CINDE) Journal throughout 2012. These articles address valuable business ideas for…
Practical Business Development Ideas for…
Note: This article is the first in a series of six that appeared in the Canadian Institute for NDE (CINDE) Journal throughout 2012. These articles address valuable business ideas for…