Engineering In Perspective: Lessons for a Successful Career - Hardcover

Tony Ridley

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1786342278 ISBN 13: 9781786342270

Publisher: World Scientific Europe, 2017

Synopsis

It is well referenced, with significant projects from his personal experience. Factually accurate, the stories reflect the ups and downs of the major projects environment. His thoughts on handling the tragedy of the King s Cross fire are remarkable, and his compassionate treatment of this work is likely to prove of interest to those outside the project management and engineering fields ... What resonates throughout the book is the coming together of countries, organisations and people. The ability to formulate and structure delivery teams that take on the holistic project life cycle from project initiation and business case, through design, construction and effective handover, to fully using or operating a facility is comprehensively covered. - PROJECT

Engineering in Perspective provides a unique look into the career of one of Britain's most widely experienced engineers, Professor Tony Ridley. Ridley analyses key moments from his career to identify the real-world skills required for success. Through this, he examines how important it is that a successful engineer has not only traditional engineering skills but also good interpersonal skills coupled with a deep understanding of social, economic and political factors.

Ridley's career case-studies include his time as first Director General of the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive and working on the creation of the Metro; first Managing Director of the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway; Chairman and Managing Director of London Underground; the development of the Docklands Light Railway; and working through the trauma of the Kings Cross fire. As Professor of Transport Engineering at Imperial College London, Ridley was involved in national and international engineering bodies, including President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. The book contains papers from this time that develop the concept of the 'breadth of engineering'.

Highly relevant for engineering students, newly qualified engineers, educators and employers, this book allows examination of successes and failures of important engineering projects from the 20th century, with lessons and insights for the 21st century engineer.

About this title

Review

It provides sound advice to professional engineers and their educators and employers, there is no doubt. The approach recommended will likely stand the test of time and provide inspiration and satisfaction for those who follow. --Roger J Allport, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Imperial College

This book by Prof Tony Ridley is ostensibly an autobiography of his high-profile career; he is undoubtedly one of the giants of the metro schemes of the second half of the 20th century. Overall this book is an interesting history of some major projects, but the real delight lies in the gems contained within the narrative, and Ridley's own belief in the future of civil engineering. --J K Banyard Chair Advisory Board at WISE CDT

Tony Ridley is one of our most experienced and distinguished civil engineers. His book is an intriguing hybrid between an autobiography and a text on lessons to be learned if large projects are to be delivered successfully. His extraordinarily broad career makes him well-placed to offer these lessons: each drawn from personal experience of the events he recounts. The book has an Epilogue summarising Tony Ridley s message on the role of engineers. Educators, employers and aspiring civil engineers should read this book, and take notice. --Stephen Glaister, Professor Emeritus of Transport and Infrastructure, Imperial College, London

Edition details

• Publisher: World Scientific Europe
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1786342278
• ISBN 13: 9781786342270
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 340