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madscientist
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The Law of Engineering

03/05/2007 8:07 AM

I made this image awhile ago to visually explain to my boss the basic fundamental rules of engineering. Thought I might share it.
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techno
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#1

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/05/2007 1:11 PM

It looks alot like the program management triangle

see http://www.maxwideman.com/musings/triangles.htm

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user-deleted-13
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#5
In reply to #1

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/05/2007 11:46 PM

Not to leave well enough alone, MicroLimp has put its characteristic stamp on Engineering Law:
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bhrescobar
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Brazil - Member - New Member Engineering Fields - Mechanical Engineering - New Member Hobbies - RC Aircraft - New Member Hobbies - Target Shooting - New Member Hobbies - Automotive Performance - Hey there... interested in exchanging information about car performance? Hobbies - DIY Welding - New Member

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#2

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/05/2007 7:50 PM

Indeed.

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user-deleted-13
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#3

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/05/2007 11:25 PM

Nice work, but I'd add a caption: "Pick Any Two."

-----

Of course, only Engineers can appreciate the kernel of truth in your design. Management, however aided and abetted by clear thinking, remains clueless.

-e
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sc6chuck9
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#4

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/05/2007 11:42 PM

I think the big question here is,,,,Did he get it,,,,?,,,,,,,lol

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rcapper
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#6

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/06/2007 12:37 AM

Nice. A fancy version of the classic print shop sign: Speed, Quality, Price. Pick two.

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PWSlack
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United Kingdom - Member - Indeterminate Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member

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#7

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/06/2007 7:41 AM

It looks a bit like "The Project Engineer's Trilemma" -

Time, Cost, Quality. Improve any one and the other two will deteriorate.

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PennPiper
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#8

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/06/2007 8:17 AM

Before I retired the company I worked at pushed a four way thought, and said you could and should achieve them all.

They said: BETTER - CHEAPER - FASTER - SAFER

Of course they were wrong, You cannot have it all!

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user-deleted-13
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#10
In reply to #8

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/06/2007 9:55 AM

PennPiper writes: "They said: BETTER - CHEAPER - FASTER - SAFER"

-----

A friend of mine once had a t-shirt which said, "I have abandoned my search for Truth and am now looking for a good Fantasy."

Don't know what made me think of that.

-e
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TejanoBob
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#9

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/06/2007 9:09 AM

BOTTOM LINE - Good, Cheap, Fast - Pick any two.
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Kyoto
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#11

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/08/2007 2:12 PM

Shouldn't the caption on the bottom have "Cheap" next to CHEAP in the corner, and have "not good" next to FAST in the corner?

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Kyoto
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#12

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/08/2007 2:17 PM

Please ignore my previous comment? Sorry, my tongue got over my eye tooth and I couldn't see what I was saying!

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Sciesis2
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#13

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/09/2007 3:56 PM

Your triangle is so good and so appropriate. I am reminded of three sayings from my earlier years.

1. There is never time to do it right, but always time to do it again. FOR SURE!!

or from management:

2. Give an engineer the time he wants on a project, and he will engineer it to death.

or my own:

3. I can do it fast... or I can do it right... Take your pick!!
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PlbMak
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#14

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/12/2007 8:50 AM

My MD is an accountant. Never has the phrase 'knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing' been more applicable.

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Anonymous Poster
#15

Re: The Law of Engineering

03/27/2007 12:05 PM

According to the present Law of technical evolution:

More; Energy, Power, Bigger portions, Just More Stuff

All; Cheaper

The rest is fluff designed to distract the unwary
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Users who posted comments:

Anonymous Poster (1); bhrescobar (1); Kyoto (2); PennPiper (1); PlbMak (1); PWSlack (1); rcapper (1); sc6chuck9 (1); Sciesis2 (1); techno (1); TejanoBob (1); user-deleted-13 (3)

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