R.E.

Construction: It’s Now or Never

A Case Study
Presented in Engineering Management Subject for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
STI College San Pablo

John Mark C. Bocacao

Sydney D. Estrellado
Jason U. Gimena
John Michael D. Macaraig
Sharlyn H. Manlapaz

April 2019
Summary

Engineer Romeo Estabillo finished his civil engineering course at MAPUA

institute of technology and passed his board examination in 1981. He went
back to his hometown, Santiago City to get his own construction firm.

He hired two assistants to help him. One of his assistants Mr. Silvino Santiago,
who is a 3rd year civil engineering student, dropped because of financial
difficulties. He is a draftsman. His duty was to produce all documents retailing
to the physical requirements of the various contracts also assisting engineer
Estabillo in supervising workers on various construction site.

The second assistant Mr. Ramulo Mamaril was assigned to coordinate

purchasing and other administrative activities.

At the third year of operations, Engineer Estabillo operates his newly

constructed office on his residential compound. Two more female
employees were hired. In 1994 Engineer Estabillo, reviewed his company’s
payroll he has six full-time civil engineers 2 draftsmen, 10 administrative
personnel, 1 messenger and 1 security guard.

By June 1996, Engineer Estabillo felt that business was continuously growing.
He feels that he may not be able to perform his functions effectively if he will
push through with the plan. He thinks operations are now more complex that
decision making is a must.

Specific Problems

1. Engineer Romeo Estabillo seal plans that has not been prepared by
him or which he has not checked and reviewed in detail.
 2. Does Engineer Estabillo need to secure the services of four additional
civil engineers on a full-time basis?
3. If he decided to conduct the plan of adding four full-time civil
engineers, will he be able to perform his functions effectively?

Specific Objectives

4. Decide whether to employ four full-time civil engineers or not.

5. After deciding, Engr. Estabillo must strive more to be able to perform
his functions effectively.

Time Context

The time required to decide is as early as possible. It's now or never. Because
the firm is growing, having lapses in decision making may badly affect the
activities of the firm. Improper decision making may also create risks for the
firm.

Areas of Consideration

Mr. Estabillo should consider the following areas to achieve his objectives:

1. Demand
 External – the number of clients who demand and avail of the
services of Engineer Estabillo’s construction firm
 Internal – the demand for more manpower to perform all the
tasks and operations in the firm to serve all the needs of the
clients
2. Competition
 External – all other construction firms especially those that are in
his hometown
  Internal – all his employees who are striving for higher position
and salary
3. Current Status
 External – the company’s prominence in the construction
industry
 Internal – Engineer Estabillo’s current status as the owner of a
construction firm particularly his competence in his work
4. Possible Earning
 External – the money that the company will possibly gain if he
decided to add four full-time civil engineers
 Internal – the effect of adding four full-time civil engineers in the
wage of other employees

Assumptions

Insufficient number of Engineers that have authority to seal and sign the
documents.

Alternative Course of Action

After analyzing the situation of Engineer Romeo Estabillo, we suggest that he,
being the owner of his own construction firm, should first enhance his
decision-making skills in order to make his business more efficiently
operational. As the head of a continuously growing company, he should be
competent enough to know what action to take in any circumstances.

To help Engineer Estabillo in the process of decision making, the analysis

mentioned in the case study should be studied carefully and should look at
this advantages and disadvantages and try to visualize the resulting
outcomes.
Conclusion/Recommendation

The chief Engineer shall give a detailed review and check the design of the
project and plans prepared by his registered engineer.

Professional engineer that work under the supervision of Chief Engineer may
also seal and sign their prepared documents if they have a proper orientation
and training.

Consider hiring additional Chief Engineer that will sign and seal reviewed
documents.

Plan of Action

Professional Engineer may ethically seal all the documents they prepared
and assume legal responsibility only for that in which he possesses
understanding and cognizance.

Engineers may accept assignment and assume responsibility for coordination

of an entire project and sign and seal engineering documents for the entire
project, provide that each technical segment is signed and sealed only by
the qualified engineers who prepared the segment.