ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author introduces the idea that engineering knowledge and resources are accessed through other people; that things happen in engineering through a social network. He explains how engineers make things happen when needed. Technical coordination, arranging for people to help the engineers make things happen, preoccupies almost all engineers every day, from the first days of their careers, mostly without them ever thinking about it. It is the main method that engineers use to access technical information when they need it. Most often, when facing project deadlines, it is faster and easier to find someone with the knowledge, skills, experience, and resources to make a contribution quickly and skilfully. Developing the capability for effective technical coordination is probably the single most effective way to build our engineering career, and emotional intelligence is an important attribute that helps. Employers value the ability to ‘get things done’ extremely highly.
