090902
RFI
by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI
Cincinnati, OH
Not that RFI! I mean Regarding Fundamental Integrity!
Thought about making the R = Requiring, but we can require all we want, we just cant enforce it very well-- if at all! In the end, you have a hard making somebody do something of an intangible nature [something you cant see]. So well go with Regarding; should get us to about the same place.
If my RFI would come to exist, as normal, procedure by instilling or by human nature, then the other RFIs could be dispensed with! If everyone would do as they should, and as we set it out in the drawings and specifications, we would get better projects, on a far less tenuous basisless contention; less arguing and less tension. Wed talk instead or sniping; wed seek solutions, in lieu of creating more fodder for Change Orders; wed be better at exchanging good information in a timely manner. Heck, wed all play better together in the playpen of construction![fundamental enough?]
This is not a diatribe on the old days or on we and them. It is merely an observation that if we all could just conjure up straight-up dealings, straight talk, honest effort, handshake agreements, combined efforts, and a lock-step attitude, we more than likely would all be more profitable and certainly would go about our project in a far better manner. Nobody would have a chip on their shoulder or a hit list for the next job meeting. We might laugh more, and grouse/frown less! We might calmly achieve more, and do more than "just kick it around yet again. We might have productive job meetings that last far less than the excruciating limit of patience.
Now dont get me wrong, right is still right. And we all will still have bosses, and pecking orders, but we tend to minimize those distractions more and move out with a goal with a sharper focus and drive and resolve to simply do this one better. We might eliminate grudges and hurt feelings from other projects where RFI was never thought of, much less addressed or used. We might just respect each other a little more, for what we know [that others dont] and what we dont know [that others do]. Also, we might come to respect the fact that there are people brighter, more skilled, and more involved than we are, but mutual respect can still prevail-- we EACH can contribute!
In truth, we do need each other on the construction site, before and often after. We can be better if we take time to lay aside the petty, all-too-human hurt feelings, and the counterproductive gyrations used so often. Lets lump it as construction project nonsense [jockeying, one-ups-man-ship, etc.] that does nothing and benefits no one. We neednt come to the site with motor running and a hell-bent-for-leather attitude that damn them all, Im gonna do my work no matter.
Whether we sit in an office all day, or move to the site and other meetings, we need to get over our need to be pompous; personally appointed omnipotent; ruler of all; demander; know-it-all; better than them; isnt no way but MY way; and come to plant the seeds and spout respect, coordination, cooperation, and the simple roots of RFI!
Oh, and in that, RFI also does not mean Rarely Formed Initiatives!