By Michael Pearsall, P.Eng., CVS, CVM, FICE, FEC
As I noted in my previous column, my latest study has involved our Road User Safety and their entire motor vehicle inspection function. As much as I don’t really enjoy business process studies I have really enjoyed this one. Why have I enjoyed it so much? Well, I found that it has linked well to my personal interests in a few ways.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that one of my passionate interests is saving and fixing antique automobiles. I never quite have the time I want to put into this as a full-time hobby, but it is always on my mind and I have collected a lot of knowledge along the way. Since this study dealt a lot with the safety standards for repaired and re-sold vehicles, I found myself taking an interest in the process that goes on behind the scenes.
The other connection is something that likely only one or two readers may know about. This connection is that recently I purchased a used vehicle for my son from a less than reputable dealer and had a bad experience. One of the areas we looked at during the study was the public complaints process; and, having just gone through it first-hand, I could agree it needed improvement. The hardest part for me, as a facilitator on this subject, was biting my lip and keeping most of my personal comments on the complaints process to myself, as the subject matter experts worked though the workshop.
One of the unexpected aspects that came up was a discussion around a sign that was issued to licensed garages. Everyone seemed to see this sign as a small item, only relating to one box on the functional diagram, but it kept coming up in discussion. The team struggled with exactly where the function fit best, and right from the first morning until the end of the workshop, the sign was brought up again and again. Sometimes a seemingly small item can be a bigger issue for a team then they realize.
All in all, this study has been a good reminder that there are many different aspects to transportation that can be VE’d besides the standard capital projects we see so much of. Oddly enough, I wasn’t even thinking about doing a workshop on this aspect, but I jumped at the opportunity when it was offered to me. What opportunities in your organization are waiting for you?
So, what exactly is the function of a sign? Simply “Inform Public”. There are many different ways we can inform the public. One thing you can consider is sharing your experiences through this column space.
Until the next issue I would like to continue to encourage any transportation professional out there who would like to share their stories to contact me at mike.pearsall@ontario.ca.
Best of the season to everyone, travel safe if you have to travel!
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