An Engineers Guide to Influencing Public Policy

Course Description:

It is impossible to influence public policy without a realistic appreciation of the interpersonal dynamics of legislative and other government bodies.  This course will tell you how engineers need to approach public policy makers if they want to be effective and persuasive.  It is from the perspective of a professional engineer who spent nine years as a principal staff member for the California Legislature responsible for making recommendations to the Members on infrastructure issues.  In this capacity he prepared reports to the Membership, testified before legislative committees, and provided one-on-one information and recommendations to Members, committee staff and lobbyists.  In earlier years, he was also active in the governmental affairs programs of engineering organizations in California.  His experience runs contrary to some of the conventional wisdom in the engineering and construction community, and projects dim prospects for engineers to influence public policy unless the profession adopts a realistic approach to dealing with policymakers.  Although presented from the perspective of state government, the seminar is equally applicable to the profession’s interests at the local and federal levels.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Learn about the fundamental difference between Engineers and Public Policy-Makers.
• Why the difference is critically important if you want to influence public policy at the local, state or federal level.
• Understand the there is a hierarchy of people in the world.
• Learn where Engineers and Public Policy-Makers rank in that hierarchy.
• Learn how these two fundamental concepts will lead you to the two words that govern every aspect of the public policy-making process.