With reference to your leader ‘What’s in a title?’ in the November/December issue. It prompts me to answer: ‘Quite a lot, actually’.

In today’s ill-disciplined society it’s as well to know precisely where any individual fits into the organisation to define areas of authority or responsibility.

At the age of 16 I was engaged as a ledger clerk by a firm of master builders in London. I went on to qualify as a building clerk in 1939, before entering the armed forces and taking on various roles, both at home and overseas, at the Ministry of Defence until my eventual retirement in 1984. This long experience has convinced me that ‘rank’ or ‘title’ needs to be imposed to define specific areas of responsibility. In any meaningful organisation, a clear chain of command with clearly defined areas of responsibility, is essential.

Titles that identify qualifications and authority in clearly defined areas of responsibility are of greatest importance, particularly when any imperfection in design, faulty workmanship or materials are discovered. The question ‘who or what is to blame?’ can then be identified more readily. In some areas of today’s society there appears to be an apathy towards duty, hard work and job satisfaction, which can only be resolved through well-defined leadership structures.

A command structure should be instigated to perform a properly organised construction operation and for that meaningful titles are essential.

Lt Col (Retired) D F Densham Booth OBE FCIOB

Source

Construction Manager