Communication solutions for today's engineering management

Today's perpetually improving technology brings new equipment, systems, solutions and semantics. Engineering requirements become greater and the level of complexity, cost, and humbug tend to increase. This paper offers communication solutions for today's engineering management challenges based on the use of certain models. Those models are simplified presentations of complex, elaborate, or vague concepts, designed to accelerate the learning process and extend retention of acquired knowledge and/or skills. Two model examples are used. Some traps and urban myths surrounding new technologies (and also older ones) are unveiled. An increased importance of recognizing needs for integration of technical and non-technical content are stressed. Skills and practices, necessary to succeed today are pointed out. Three stories, taken straight from the author's experience are told. They indicate the potential for sad happenings where end users not only vastly overpay for engineering work, but also receive clearly inferior product. It is followed by discussion on how application of those models leads to formulation of 'meta-consulting' where both technical and non-technical aspects are quickly assessed to form a basis for powerful, rapid-engagement, clear, priority-based solutions.