I think this is a good thing.... | Forums

[PacNW_CE]

So, today I offically got handed off my first lead engineering project. I am inheiriting a project that 75% of the budget is spent, and 50% of the work is left to do. Trial by fire baby! Now I actually have to learn how to manage people who make more money and have more experience than I do without being offensive and/or dominearing. I think I may get through this without having anyone curse me out, but I wouldn't bet against it.

[PacNW_CE]

So, today I offically got handed off my first lead engineering project. I am inheiriting a project that 75% of the budget is spent, and 50% of the work is left to do. Trial by fire baby! Now I actually have to learn how to manage people who make more money and have more experience than I do without being offensive and/or dominearing. I think I may get through this without having anyone curse me out, but I wouldn't bet against it.

[Captain JeB]

Congrats! I hope everything goes smoothly for you

[Ladyfly_1]

Congrats and good luck on no one cursing you out hehe. So what kind of Engineering do you do? I work in Civil.

[PacNW_CE]

Ditto. Civil engineers rock!

This is an ODOT project in Grants Pass Oregon. Evidently, the drunk lumberjacks like to tear down Hwy 199 and have a nasty habit of slipping of the road. Sounds like pure Darwin, except for the new housing developments that line the highway. Picking pieces of small children out of said lumberjacks' F350 grill isn't so kosher. Per normal, it's a planning level project that the environmental group wants a difinitive potential area of impact.

Inroads is killing me right now. I am holding the models together with bubble gum and duct tape.

(UPDATE) The Senior Civil mgr just brought me a copy of the contract Wednesday morning. Good to have, since the draft deliverables that are outlined in the contract were completed yesterday. I am so going to hurt the dead weight's feelings before this is done. Man, I wish I was more diplomatic right about now.

[Ladyfly_1]

Sounds like fun hehe, I am working on a WSDOT project right now. We have an office in Oregon though and I have done work for ODOT before, good times hehe.

[mixmastermatt]

Good luck on your project, Pac.

[pugjared]

I have grandparents that live in Grants Pass. Watch out for my crazy granny driving around.

[PacNW_CE]

OK, someone remind me why I wanted to be a project manager again?

All I did was take over control of a planning level project that now has suddenly blossomed into a preliminary engineering plan. Good thing the roadways were designed to ODOT standards...Wait! Thats right! They weren't!

Now I have to listen to everyone elses excuses as to why things aren't done. When the shoe is on the other foot.....not so much fun. Good thing I get to come in early to discuss the project progress with our supervising civil.

At least that fat payraise will be comfort. WAIT! That is a pipe dream too!

Suddenly I see why my boss has an office where the door closes. That way we can't hear him swearing under his breath. And here I thought I was the one that was going to get cursed out.

[Mr.LurkerGuy]

I am facing the exact same type of thing, Pac. I guess all we can do is keep up the faith, as cheesy as that sounds. Man, I've been taking some punches lately though....