In November 2009 the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering at Sydney University launched its report Professional Performance, Innovation and Risk in Australian Engineering Practice.

We would like to present the findings in the report, as the roll out of the recommended change plan commences in May 2010, backed by many significant players in the engineering industry and profession, particularly in construction.

These findings include the presentation of the PPIR Protocol, a concise definition of ‘performance’ for individual professional engineers in undertaking any engineering task and three related initiatives that support the PPIR Protocol:

1. The new Hazard and Risk Framework (HARF) that calls for a formal, fully integrated ‘best for risk management’ approach to hazard and risk issues in an engineering task;

2. An Australian Standard (AS.PPIR)being the equivalent of the PPIR Protocol for corporations which buy, sell and use engineering products and services; and

3. A strategy to make better use of the expert testimony system, to improve the standard of expert testimony and to gain recognition in expert testimony of the PPIR Protocol as the basic platform from which to assess the Professional Engineer’s duty and standard of care.

The report comes at the conclusion of five years’ work on the Centre’s PPIR Project, a comprehensive review of performance, innovation and risk in contemporary Australian Engineering practice, including an extensive series of workshops/consultations with over 200 practising engineers, funded by 28 engineering stakeholders.

All current and future leaders in the engineering profession should be aware of this initiative.