Photon
Calder & ValeStructural engineering practice · 60 people · 6 decision makers
Sandbox · read only · fictional data
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Value System

Four criteria, each phrased as a question a challenge can be tested against — and how often each has actually decided something across 18 rulings.

  1. Early over certain

    The testWould we raise this at 60% confidence rather than wait for 95%?

    5 rulings decided on this · most recent
    • signalA competitor launched 'Rapid Approvals' and has taken three mid-market jobs we would have won.Mara Calder
    • signalWhy do we not do BREEAM assessments? Clients keep asking and we keep referring it out.Inés Ferrer
    • signalShould we take on temporary works design?Inés Ferrer

  2. The drawing owner hears it first

    The testDoes this reach the person who owns the drawing, in writing, before anyone else?

    3 rulings decided on this · most recent
    • signalOur insurer suggested we stop putting confidence levels on written concerns.Mara Calder
    • signalShould the concern log be published publicly, anonymised?Mara Calder
    • noiseA large contractor offered us a panel place if we stop writing confidence levels into concerns.Mara Calder

  3. We price the warning, not the rescue

    The testDoes our fee grow if they ignore us? If so we are on the wrong side of it.

    3 rulings decided on this · most recent
    • noiseA developer offered a £400k/yr drafting retainer. No engineering judgement, guaranteed income.Mara Calder
    • noiseSomeone offered to white-label our concern log and sell it as software.Mara Calder
    • noiseA developer wants a fixed fee with a 'no objections raised' completion clause.Mara Calder

  4. We keep the standing to say stop

    The testCould we say stop on this job without ending the relationship?

    7 rulings decided on this · most recent
    • noiseDeptford tower: the client wants us to sign off a facade package another practice designed. £340k.Mara Calder
    • noiseA housing association wants us on a framework alongside eleven other practices.Inés Ferrer
    • noiseA client wants to retain us as expert witness against a practice we worked alongside last year.Mara Calder

All four of these have decided something, which is the healthy case. The first thing to question in this module is a value with a zero beside it.