When experience sees what the model cannot

In recent years, I’ve been involved in several projects with PNG Ports in Papua New Guinea (PNG). There is often a perception that PNG is a difficult place to work, but my experience has been incredibly positive and rewarding. Over the course of my time working in PNG, I’ve been part of projects that are truly helping to shape the country. We’re now working on larger scale projects that are having a meaningful impact on PNG and its economy.  

I’m lucky to feel that I have made strong friendships with the people I’ve been able to work with in PNG and I know that people appreciate what we’ve been able to do. 

Similarly, I’ve also had a long-term client relationship working in the Torres Strait Islands, which creates plenty of challenges with its remote location. These projects may not attract the same profile as a major port development, but they have a direct impact on people's daily lives. Through jetties, seawalls, dredging projects and condition assessments, we've been able to support remote island communities and help improve the resilience of essential infrastructure. 

Trust sits at the centre of every successful partnership. When that foundation exists, you can have honest conversations about risks, costs and constraints, ultimately leading to better outcomes.  

Many of my client relationships span decades. Some clients have followed me across different organisations because they know I will always provide honest advice and act in their best interests. Over time, many of these professional relationships have evolved into genuine friendships. That trust allows us to tackle difficult challenges together and make decisions with confidence. 

Partnership is also about helping others succeed. Throughout my career I've encouraged clients to attend conferences, develop their expertise and even co-author technical papers. Sharing knowledge strengthens relationships and helps the entire industry move forward. 

Ultimately, my clients know that I’m on their side and that helps us to achieve better results, together. 

When I began my career, engineering was largely done without computers. Since then, technology has transformed almost every aspect of the profession. Artificial intelligence will undoubtedly continue that transformation. The opportunities are significant, but so are the risks if we become overly reliant on technology. 

The most important skill engineers must retain is the ability to think critically. Models are powerful tools, but they are only one input into decision-making. Engineers learn through observation, experience and understanding how things behave in the real world. That practical knowledge remains essential. 

That’s something that I really emphasise to new engineers – the importance of building your own unique knowledge and expertise. Increasingly, any engineer, anywhere in the world, can have access to the same models, so you need to bring something else to the table. Whether it’s local knowledge or experience with some specific materials, it’s vital to have that ‘thing’ that sets you apart. 

For Haskoning Australia, our strength is our technical excellence, specifically in the water, coastal and maritime space. I think our know-how and experience will only continue to grow over the next 15 years as we continue to come up with the most innovative and most appropriate solutions that lead the way for our industry.