December 2009 - Jim Poorbaugh
December’s Featured Designer is TORUS user Jim Poorbaugh, P.E. M.S.C.E., Project Manager for Bohannan Huston in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Although now a project manager, Poorbaugh’s passion is still for design - something that has been with him since his college days when he was drafting - by hand! We are excited to shine a spotlight on someone with a true enthusiasm for what he does.
Jim Poorbaugh
Project Manager, Bahannan Huston
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
TORUS, AutoTURN, and GuidSIGN user
Years as a designer: 16
CAD platform: MicroStation XM
Workstation: Dell Optiplex GX620, Intel Pentium D @ 3.2 GHz, 2GB RAM, Dual 19” Dell Monitors, Windows XP 32bit
Favorite non-CAD based productivity software: Getting Things Done Outlook Add on by NetCentrics
Transoft Solutions (TS): Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk with us Jim. We know how busy you are with the holidays coming, and all of your projects, so we'll jump right in. What made you decide to become a designer?
Jim Poorbaugh (JP): I cannot point to one thing other than fate. Let me explain. After leaving the military I began attending a junior college. I really had no idea what career path I should take. I had taken several drafting classes in high school and was thinking about architecture so I decided to take an introductory AutoCAD class. I guess that was a turning point. My wife mentioned to someone she worked with that I was taking an AutoCAD class and as fate would have it her husband owned an engineering company who needed a drafter. This seemed like a better job than continuing to be a bartender so I interviewed for the job and was hired. I knew after my first day on the job that my life’s work was to be an engineer. Not only was I fascinated by what the computers could do but also by watching the drawings “come to life” during construction. Sixteen years later I am still amazed by the technology and how it continues to improve our ability to produce designs.
TS: It's interesting that sometimes the life path picks the person instead of the other way round. Along the way you must of come across some interesting challenges, especially design challenges. When they come up, how do you approach difficult design challenges?
JP: Carefully. Let me explain. As designers we love to solve problems and doing the design work, after all that is what we get paid for, right? So we just jump in with both feet and start cranking thorough the design – generally confusing effort with results. My biggest challenge on difficult designs is not diving right in to solve the problem. Rather, when faced with a difficult design challenge I’ve learned that my first step is to talk to other designers to see if they have ever faced a similar problem. I then spent time developing a strategy for how I’m going to work through the elements of the design and specifically address the issues and order the design elements must be completed in. During this planning I identify the critical points in the design process where I need stop the design effort and have a peer review. My next step is to have a Technical Implementation Planning (TIP) meeting. A TIP meeting is a quick meeting with other designers where we collectively review the design process and develop a plan on how to best utilize existing, purchase new or develop our own technology to most efficiently finish the design. This can take some time but I have found this to be very beneficial in preventing rework, which in turn save time, budget and frustration.
TS: That's a very through process for tackling design challenges! Have there been any memorable projects you have worked on recently where you solved design challenges in the way you just described?
JP: The San Mateo / Interstate 40 interchange located in the heart of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
TS: What was it about the San Mateo / I-40 interchange project that made it so memorable?
JP: I was the design manager for the interchange portion of this $42 million project completed this past October. We have been working with NMDOT [New Mexico Department of Transportation] for past five years to bring it to fruition. From the beginning the NMDOT focused on trying many innovative interchange design concepts such as a Diverging Diamond. This required a lot of research, networking and study to develop and evaluate the design alternatives. Once we selected the preferred alternative there were many difficult design challenges because of the tight right-of-way, high traffic volume and geometric constraints at this location. In addition, the City of Albuquerque and the Water Utility Authority had design projects that we developed concurrent with the interchange design. What made this project most memorable is that the team tried new things without fear and also the trusting relationship that developed within my design team, and between the NMDOT project development staff, the NMDOT construction manager and other consultants. This lead to tremendous team spirit throughout the project that was focused on partnership and overcoming design issues to bring the project to a successful completion.
TS: Did you use any Transoft Solutions software on that project?
JP: Yes, both AutoTURN and GuidSIGN were used. Unfortunately, TORUS had not been released at the time this design was underway. I wish that it had been as we developed a roundabout concept at this location. No doubt that TORUS would have help tremendously in this effort. As a side note, I have used TORUS on more recent projects and it has become a very valuable tool in my design toolbox.
TS: With TORUS being so new that is great to hear.
TS: As you have been working with AutoTURN, TORUS, and GuidSIGN, are there any tips or tricks you have developed for working with Transoft Solutions software?
JP: No, Transoft Solutions software is so user friendly I don’t think you need tricks or tips.
TS: You mentioned that in becoming a designer you found your life's work, which famous projects do you wish you were asked to design? Why?
JP: I wish I could have been part of the Transcontinental railway. This civil engineering marvel is on par with the construction of the Panama Canal and was of vital importance to the growth of our nation at the conclusion of the U.S. Civil War. How neat it would have been to be part of a project that reduced travel time from six to seven months to one week while providing a much safer mode of transportation.
TS: I have to agree with how interesting it would be to be a part of such a monumental project.
TS: If I could switch gears here for a moment Jim, I'd like know what you think it takes to be a standout designer?
JP: Knowing what you don’t know, having the integrity to admit it and the humility to ask for help.
TS: That's sage advice all of us could use. To that end, and in your opinion, what are the essential software and hardware tools winning designers need today?
JP: I believe that GIS interface with design tools is going to be the next frontier in design software. Also, tools like TORUS that have design elements dynamically linked to evaluation parameters are going to be critical to expedite design process. Moreover, as design budgets are tightened to meet the needs of our aging infrastructure.
TS: Lastly, what one piece of advice do you have for young designers just starting careers?
JP: Just because someone tells you it’s never been done before doesn’t mean it can’t be. Strive to be a leader and innovator by dedicating yourself to the highest values, to lifelong learning, to reading every day, to challenging everything, to trying new things without fear, and to never being content with the status quo.
TS: Thanks again Jim for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit and talk with us.
Editors Note:
We are always looking to shine the spotlight on another designer! If you know an outstanding designer, or are one yourself, let us know by sending your nomination to dh@transoftsolutions.com. Please include your full professional contact information including name, title, company, and phone number.
Transoft Solutions appreciates the talents and privacy of all of the nominees for the Featured Designer and does not in anyway sell, exchange, or share, your personal information to a third party.
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