ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that the time is long past for development of methods for evaluating macro-engineering projects and the early adoption of some guidelines in decision-making, even though they may be rudimentary and will require considerable improvement. The time is long past for the installation of common-sense methods for evaluating macro-projects and for the adoption of realistic guidelines to decision-making. Some projects are revealed as macro-engineering efforts only when viewed after completion. Macro-engineering includes all projects which have sizeable impacts on society, the economy, the environment, governments and lifestyles. The motivations for initiating macro-engineering projects may be classed under personal desire for power, conceit, religion, monetary profit, political stability or advantage, national pride, competition, growth, health and safety, including “the good of mankind.” There is a major problem in evaluating macro-engineering projects. In many cases, engineering projects serve only to advance the established “religion” or provide more support for the prevailing “theology/politics”.
