Quantity Surveyors.

Son, 

When I was your age, I was a draftsman for a Civil Engineering firm specializing in the design and supervising the construction of roads, roundabouts, and carparks.  When we put the ‘drawings’ out to tender, so that construction companies could compete to win the job, they were accompanied by a ‘Bill of Quantities’  - this was my calculation for the materials required for the completion of the project. Each contractor would have a ‘Quantity Surveyor’ who would spend hours pouring over my drawings and Bill of Quantities, to spot any error in my calculations.  Any ‘under-quoted quantity’ error in my calculation of a material could be quoted high.  Any ‘over-quoted quantity’ error in my calculation of a material could be quoted low. And any ‘omitted quantity’ that will be needed to complete the project can be given an exorbitant price, as it will not be included in the tender price.  This is the art of construction contracting. 

The art of business is also in the details.  Everything should be well defined.  Anything undefined is open to interpretation by whomever is reading it.  It’s like the saying ‘if you don’t plan your life, someone else will plan it for you’. 

The objective of business is to be profitable.  We can be profitable in many dimensions, from innovation, to our effect on society with our staff, however nothing is possible if we are not financially profitable.   This is true for every business, throughout the supply chain. 

This is why our responsibility never stops for Quality Control because, at any time, any supplier may decide to change the specs of a component without notifying you.  The key to Quality Control is well defined parameters for inspection, and then well documented inspection.

If you are ordering the manufacturing of a product, or product components, and you do not define any aspect well, the supplier will recognize the opportunity to define it for himself.   When he does, and he chooses something that is more profitable for him (and possibly lower quality for you), you will think he is a cheat, but he is not.  You are the one responsible.  Your natural reaction will be to blame others, both individual and group, but the true blame is on your team.  Then, don’t blame them, train them. 

As there is some page left to fill, let’s think about how this important rule can apply to the rest of your life.  

“ANY UNDEFINED ASPECT OF LIFE, IS OPEN TO INTERPRETATION”

By crystalizing your thoughts and documenting all your definitions, systems and processes, you have the best chance to achieve your desired outcomes.  As you build a community, a work team, a family, and your own life, the better defined it is, the better your chance to follow it, measure your progress along it, and equally important to delegate and train it. 

Using empathy, understand that EVERYONE wants life to go ‘their way’, so not everything will go your way, however, you can value the importance of each persons plan, knowing that not all people are honest, or sharing.  Many are selfish and greedy, with money, time, and resources.  Keep your ‘eye on’ how your life is going … check if any of the ‘quantities’ you want are being skimmed by others for their own agenda. It’s your responsibility.

Dad.