After working as an Engineer in the chemical industry for over 13 years now, I have come to a conclusion. Being recognized as a "strategic" thinker is not necessarily a good thing. Especially if your true personality leans more towards tactical execution. I like to get things done, not talk about all the possible ways things can get done in conference rooms and in sametime meetings. Sure, I think there is value in considering your options before jumping off, but do we really need to spend more resources and time discussing the options than we will solving the problem?
Look at the six sigma craze in our industry. This didn't just come out yesterday. Yet there are some who are pushing it around like the great new concept in industry. As I recall, my college studies taught me to define the problem and measure it before I analyzed it. To then make an improvement based on data that could be sustained. Now six sigma organizations within companies are forcing Engineers to use these cute little visual tools to prove they followed a DMAIC processes. For those of you not possessed by six sigma, Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control.
In some companies, six sigma has become like most government programs. They start out small with a specific target. With a little success, these programs grow into huge empires that spend more time and resources justifying their existence than solving problems in the company.
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