Resumo

TORRES MACIAS, Álvaro. Trends in Consulting Engineering for Major Projects. rev.ing. [online]. 2008, n.27, pp.68-76. ISSN 0121-4993.

Engineering activity is undergoing a major transformation worldwide and in Colombia, not only related to integration but also into the intensive use of information technologies. So, engineering firms are considering large transformations in the way they carried out their business and how they interact with owner entities and construction builders and supervisors. Computer technologies such as CAD systems, databases, computer modeling, visualization, etc. were the most important challenge of consulting engineering in the decade of the nineties and it is possible to say that is being successfully overcome in our country and that every day its use is more important and intense. Now, the impulse to non-traditional contract engineering projects, such as concessions, designbuild, design-build-maintenance, project management, etc., are imposing new challenges and opportunities to consultants, and design and control engineers. Then, it is required that consulting engineering be approached and managed in a strategic manner in order to derive real benefits from coming advantages and reduce threats imposed by the market and competency. Although, in general is possible to say that engineering is going through a good moment, however, in order to be successful the Colombian consulting engineering needs to acquire new skills to manage efficiently business in the new environment. The main new conditions are: reduced profit margins, locally and globally competition, scarce and limited experienced human resources, scare of human talent, necessity of training programs, higher costs for each activity, higher labor market competition as well as a proper new risk management.This article presents in general way contracts types for construction and consulting engineering projects and their impact on the specific activity of consulting engineering, focusing on design and supervision. It is analyzed the impact on technical, economic and especially on risks involved. It also presents opportunities for engineering design firms focused on their adequate preparation to meet new challenges imposed by the way how is managed and evolved the engineering on large projects in Colombia and in the world.

Palavras-chave : Consulting engineering; construction; engineering projects; engineering contracts; engineering market; engineering competency; engineering knowledge; project risk management; engineering firms.

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