"In the modern world, people have a need to live in a comfortable environment, and engineering plays a major role in creating it."
In our blog, we often talk about the role and function of MEP engineering and introduce you to people who make their own modest contribution to the development and advancement of the field. This time, we spoke with Guram Tumanishvili, MEP Project Manager at Verge.
Guram has joined the Verge team since 2022 and is actively involved in creating successful engineering projects. He tells us about his journey from draftsman to management position. In the interview, we talk about the functions and responsibilities of an MEP project manager and the role of this important figure in the company's success.
– Guram, you are an economist by profession. Engineering field When did you become interested?
– After graduating from the Faculty of Economics and Business at Tbilisi State University, I soon realized that I was more interested in engineering systems than economics and enrolled in the Faculty of Energy and Electrical Engineering at the Technical University. At the same time, I worked as a draftsman for MEP systems in a design company. Since I had more contact with the mechanical part, I decided to choose the Faculty of Architecture at the Technical University as my master's degree - in the field of heating, air supply and ventilation.
While working at the design company, we often attended MEP systems exhibitions and learned about the latest developments in the field, which helped me gain practical knowledge and experience. I also had to go to sites and check the work performed against the drawings.
Although many factors are calculated during the design stage, issues arose directly at the facilities that required engineering decisions to be made on site.
– When and how did you start working at the company “Verge”?
– I started working at Verge 3 years ago. My initial duties were to prepare detailed drawings, resolve technical issues, and communicate with relevant team members. Then I moved to the position of project manager and actively participate in planning installation processes and verifying results.
The main part of my work is planning projects, monitoring the planned process and ensuring its smooth progress, whether it is order management, communication with customers and agreement on changes, as well as preparing and issuing relevant tasks to the installation team, etc. I am involved in these processes every day and, together with our team, try to contribute quality and successful projects to the country.
– Why do you think the people employed at Verge chose this particular company? What makes it unique in today's market?
– “Vergesh” is a professionally interesting environment, an opportunity to gain new experience and grow. Qualified employees, interest in leading technologies, healthy ambition, constant striving for progress, and a wide area for development for team members. My story will serve as an example, how I moved from a drafting engineer to the next stages and gained new experience.
– What are the characteristics of engineering systems project management? What is necessary when working in this direction?
– The MEP Systems Project Manager is a key figure in the success of any project. His skills and qualities determine the effectiveness of the project. He is a leader who can mobilize the team, distribute tasks, solve problems and achieve the ultimate goal.
It is necessary to schedule work processes consistently and smoothly. The person who manages projects must be knowledgeable in personnel management, be able to properly manage resources, have the right communication and patience skills, as well as the ability to process information and make quick decisions in crisis situations. Not to mention knowledge in the technical direction: in-depth education and skills in the field are crucial.
– Managing such projects is associated with many difficulties. What barriers do you encounter most often?
– As I mentioned, you need to be able to manage unforeseen situations and make quick decisions. For example, during large projects, changes are frequent and you have to quickly adapt, rearrange, and adjust to the client's wishes. It is important to constantly monitor and control tasks: meet deadlines and evaluate results.
– Your work and profession are quite in demand, but everyone talks about the lack of human resources in this field. Why is this happening?
– Yes, the field is in demand, but there is a shortage of professionals. Unhealthy competition in the engineering market creates gaps. The outflow of experienced personnel from the country also causes a shortage. As a result, the market is saturated with unqualified resources.
– The work you do requires you to be up-to-date, to keep up with trends and innovations. To what extent do you take these factors into account?
– In the modern world, people have a need to live in a comfortable environment, which engineering makes a great contribution to. It, along with people's needs, is improving and adapting to their interests. In today's era, changes are happening rapidly, technologies are constantly developing. At the same time, the methods of receiving and processing information have become simpler, and of course, if you can't keep up with it, you can't be competitive. This is of great importance in our field. The company "Verge" is guided by modern standards. We are constantly updated on the latest developments in the field, innovative approaches, we attend and participate in various events, including international and local exhibitions, and we intend to do so in the future.
– I see myself as an engineer in the future. Do you see it from a project management perspective?
– I will continue to consider the near future in terms of project management, but at a higher level – on larger and more interesting projects, which will allow me to develop and advance further. Successfully overcoming challenges and new stages will continue to be relevant for me.
Other interviews on our blog:
With Giorgi Chincharauli, founder of the company "Verge"
With the project team leader Mamuka Jakhaia
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