MEP designers can significantly contribute to improving the growth and profitability of the business during the design conceptualization and actual development process. This necessitates designers to develop specific skills /competencies to deliver excellence. A few essential competencies that need to be acquired are compiled below for each package.
1. Technical competencies (12 numbers)
2. Commercial Competencies (5 numbers)
3. IT/Software competencies (5 numbers)
4. Legal competencies (4 numbers)
5. Leadership competencies (10 numbers)
Each one is highlighted below.
A) Listing of 12 (twelve)Technical Competencies
1. Basic knowledge of features (such as Physical attributes, characteristics, functional, and performance parameters) of different parts /components of types of buildings such as Hotels, Restaurants, hospitals, educational, residential, commercial, SEZ units, factories, and office complexes.
2 Requisite knowledge of best design practices applicable to MEP function
And Core knowledge of types of MEP packages such as:
· Designing Electrical — external and Internal works
· Designing of Airconditioning -Works
· Designing of lighting works
· Designing plumbing and water (hot and cold) supply works
· Energy management works for green building
· Firefighting works
· Designing of lifts/elevators works
· Designing of STP (sewerage treatment plant) works
· Waste management works
· Designing fuel storage and supply works
· Designing solar energy works
· Designing wind engineering works
· Designing audio-visual works
· Heating works
· Ventilation & exhaust works
· Acoustics works
· Facility management works
· Hospitality works like kitchen and laundry
· IT Infrastructure
· Building automation
And so on
3 The design process for different types of buildings, designing techniques, methods, stages of design development, etc
4 Crucial knowledge of developing Coordinated MEP designs and drawings to make these 1st time right and without any conflicts with architectural and Interior design works, thus avoiding expensive reworks
5 Working knowledge of construction methods, Installing, and commissioning, e.g.
· Electrical works- Vacuum circuit breakers, Air circuit breakers, Cables, Panels, transformers, etc.
· Internal electrical-laying conduits, wires, lamps and fixtures, and fittings, CCTV
· HVAC-Air-conditioning-VRV (Variable refrigerant volume), chillers, Outdoor/indoor units
· Heat exchangers, fan coil systems, valves, pumps
· Ventilation works-Centrifugal fans, Jet fans, Ducting, Control systems
And so on for each package
6 In-depth technical knowledge of BOQ materials that are part of any package & to be part of a tender, such as Electrical, Heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, acoustics, VAC, Plumbing, firefighting, lighting, energy management, lifts/elevators, Sewage treatment plants, fuel storage systems, solar energy works, wind engineering, audiovisual, facility management, kitchen, laundry, IT infrastructure, building
7 Basic knowledge of modern designing methods techniques/software tools to enhance MEP design efficiency
8 Vital knowledge of building design -quality in the MEP works
9 Basic knowledge of installation, commissioning, and testing methods of MEP equipment
10 Basic knowledge Inspection methods of each BOQ material & package/building as a whole
11 Core Knowledge of Quality standards applicable to complete Integrated packages for building as a whole and individual packages
12 Necessary knowledge of Measuring Instruments used in/for:
· Electrical -multimeter, voltmeter, energy meter
· Sound- decibel meter, noise analyser
· Speed-Tachometer
· Temperature-Temperature sensors
And so on
B). listing of 5(five) Commercial Competencies
1 Rate and fee /commercial terms negotiation skills for procuring samples or small consultancy works
2 Cost estimation skills vis a vis each package such as:
· Electrical works
· HVAC
· Plumbing
And so on
3 Developing Budget Parameters
4 Ability to generate reports/MIS from software/ERP and analyze vis-a-vis Budget.
5 Evolving coding schemes for BOQ, etc
C). listing of 5 (five) IT/Software Competencies
1 a)Working Knowledge of various Design software solutions for core designing of each type of package, such as below:
· AutoCAD Electrical,
· Smart Draw
· Autodesk
· Ansys
· Quick Allot,
· Revit MEP
· AutoCAD HVAC
and so on
1b) Ability to learn from Artificial Intelligence (AI) resources that utilize large language models (LLM) to make MEP designs more robust, efficient, and cost-effective.
2 Basic Knowledge of MS Office & preferably ERP also
3 Ability to conceptualize and develop structure & parameters for various master data tables like:
i)Drawings specifications -Packages in MEP works,
ii)Scope of work master -Packages in MEP packages
4 Ability to conceptualize templates and provide MEP-related meaningful inputs to T/ERP/software teams for digitalization of the following:
i)configuration & Master data tables
ii) configuration tables
iii)risk assessment templates
iv) Segregation of duties and access rights templates
v) coding schemes
vi) user traceability reports
vii) audit trail reports
viii) Budgets
ix)MIS/Dashboards
x)SOP (Standard operating procedures)
xi) Design & drawings document management
xi) KPI (Key performance indicators
5 Ability to generate essential reports from databases /Dashboard related to MEP design function and analyze these for enhancing productivity and reduce cycle time for design & development
D). listing of 4 (four) Legal Competencies
1 Deep knowledge of technical aspects vis a vis relevant laws applicable to MEP design function such as below but not limited to:
· The RERA-real estate regulation & development act 2017
· The National Green Tribunal Act 2010
· The Air (prevention &control of Pollution) Act,1987
· The Water (prevention &control of Pollution) Act,1987
· The environment (protection)act 1986
· The Petroleum Act 1934
· The Electricity Act 2003
· And so on
2 Deep knowledge of local regulations related to MEP design function such as below but not limited to:
· National Building Code,2016-sections related to building services like lighting, electrical, air conditioning, acoustics, sound insulation, noise control, lifts, escalators, travellators, plumbing (water supply, drainage & sanitation, solid waste management, gas supply), landscape, signages, etc.
· Applicable standards of GBC-Green Building Council
· Applicable standards of LEED (leadership in energy & environment)
3. Familiarity with relevant Indian and international quality standards related to the Bill of Materials for MEP packages to embed quality in building designs.
4 Essential knowledge of Standards related to Health & Safety, vis a vis MEP design packages
E). listing of 10 (ten) Leadership Competencies
1 Ethical frame of mind
2 Team management
3 Team development and training
4 Empowerments
5 Alignment with organization objectives
6 Quality of work
7 Efficiency and Effectiveness
8 Analytical
9 Change management
10 Benchmarking of competitor’s design features in various packages
These details can be found in my book available at Amazon as per links below.
India
Internationally
Way Forward
Moving forward, MEP designers must bolster their proficiency in the competencies outlined above within their respective design domains. By doing so, designers can assume a pivotal role in aligning with organizational objectives, thereby enhancing the overall performance and profitability of the organization. To achieve this, designers should undertake the following strategic actions within their areas of responsibility:
1. Continuously enhancing the competencies mentioned above through ongoing skill development initiatives.
2. Identifying and engaging highly skilled, professionally qualified consultants when in-house capabilities or resources are insufficient.
3. Embracing and implementing best design practices to foster excellence in design processes, leading to:
· Enhancing the quality of designs
· Supporting improved quality of construction
· Reducing Project costs
· Increasing sales revenue
· Improving end-customer satisfaction index
· Complying with statutory conformances
· Accelerating design efficiency and design effectiveness
4. Developing and implementing performance management systems for designers structured around documented vital performance indicators (KPIs).
By adhering to these guidelines, designers can fortify their roles as indispensable contributors to organizational success while maintaining a commitment to excellence in design and performance.