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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Recently, I’ve had an odd
string of personal contacts and strangers alike confiding with me and
demonstrating their frustrations over energy model reviews. As an
outside-party, it’s actually largely entertaining to hear, and puts a few
things in perspective. We are all human, and we all share common emotions
when put under the spotlight, but how we put those feelings to action makes all
the difference between an easy/productive review process and a train wreck…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I’ve had the pleasure of
treading both paths, and I thought it might be helpful for modelers of all
skill/experience levels to share a few tips I’ve developed to manage the
stress-level in your energy model reviews. A few reviewers out there
might also benefit to turn this advice around and apply it to their practices
as well:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>Do not assume your
reviewer knows less than you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>Recognize that stuff
gets lost in translation – energy modeling minutiae are rarely easy to
communicate in text format.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>It’s human to
feel annoyed when your work is questioned, but practice patience. Odds
are you and/or your reviewer are going to learn something as a result. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>If you ever catch
yourself thinking/responding in a dismissive or condescending fashion, stop.
Your heart is in the wrong place (however right you might be) and you’re
missing the point of an objective review. Take a breather!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>Do not assume your reviewer
knows more than you, either. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>Do not be afraid to challenge
or question a query, but prepare and present a solid case for any contrary
position. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>It is very easy to
run yourself in circles trying to explain/justify yourself when it isn’t really
necessary. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>Reviewers can and
should make it plain when an in-depth explanation is required.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>Be prepared to
change your mind! For better or for worse, reviews are ultimately beneficial
to all parties involved, because they provide an excellent opportunity to learn
a thing or two. Allow your personal expertise to continually evolve and
incorporate, or at least recognize, others’ perspectives and practices.
They may serve you well personally in the future!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>Once in a while, you
may have to work with an individual who is truly stubborn, unreasonable and is
not willing to participate in any objective discussion. If a review
should fail to “close out” over such behavior, the best you can
hope for is to document communications so you can later make apparent in
hindsight that you were proactive, and pulling your weight to move the process
forward. </span><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>If anyone has similar guiding principles
or tips to share (from either side of the reviewing fence), I think it would be
much appreciated =)!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>~Nick<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><img width=119 height=37 id="Picture_x0020_1"
src="cid:image001.jpg@01CC453A.A661AAA0" alt="cid:489575314@22072009-0ABB"><b><span
style='font-family:"Stylus BT","sans-serif";color:#2D4D5E'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Stylus BT","sans-serif";
color:#2D4D5E'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Stylus BT","sans-serif";
color:#2D4D5E'>NICK CATON, P.E.</span></b><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Stylus BT","sans-serif";color:#2D4D5E'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;color:#CC9900'>SENIOR ENGINEER<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;color:#CC9900'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#2D4D5E'>Smith &
Boucher Engineers</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#CC9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#2D4D5E'>25501 west
valley parkway, suite 200<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#2D4D5E'>olathe, ks
66061<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#2D4D5E'>direct
913.344.0036<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#2D4D5E'>fax
913.345.0617<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="www.smithboucher.com"
title="blocked::www.smithboucher.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:blue'>www.smithboucher.com</span></a></span><u><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:blue'> </span></u><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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