Design reviews and client communication
Lesson 2 of 3 in Workplace Communication for Engineers · 22 minutes
Design reviews are core to Canadian engineering practice. Client communication around scope, fees, and project changes follows specific patterns. This lesson covers the practical patterns.
What you'll learn
- Participate in design reviews effectively
- Communicate professionally with clients
- Manage scope, fees, and changes
- Document decisions for record
From the lesson
Most engineering work happens in collaboration — internal design reviews, client meetings, contractor coordination, code authority interactions. The patterns are predictable; mastering them accelerates your career. This lesson covers the practical patterns IEEs need.
1. Internal design reviews
Design reviews are scheduled meetings where a senior engineer (or team) reviews proposed work before it's issued.
Standard structure: • Designer presents the work (10-20 minutes). • Reviewers ask questions and identify concerns. • Designer takes notes, addresses some immediately, takes others as action items. • Action items are documented; follow-up scheduled.
Frequency: • Schematic design review (early…