Meet Lilian Iheukwumere, a trailblazer in the world of engineering whose career path is as impressive as it is inspiring. From her early love of mathematics to earning a PhD in Management of Engineering Projects, Lilian's journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a commitment to making a difference. Her work spans academia and industry, with significant contributions to asset management and maintenance strategies. Currently leading asset strategy implementation at National Gas, Lilian continues to break new ground while balancing the demands of a dynamic career and personal life. Her story is a testament to the power of dedication, innovation, and the importance of mentorship in shaping successful careers.

Background and Career Path

Can you tell us about your educational background and how you got into engineering?

I graduated from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria with a Bachelor in Petroleum Engineering.  I furthered my studies at postgraduate level and obtained an MSc. in Reliability Engineering and Asset Management and subsequently a PhD in Management of Engineering Projects at the University of Manchester. My academic background and strong numerical skills prompted me to pursue a career in Engineering. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?

I enjoyed mathematics in high school and it just felt like a natural progression to study Engineering. Although my first degree was in Petroleum Engineering, I wanted to have broader opportunities across different industries as I felt that my first degree was too niche. Reliability Engineering and Asset Management provided a mix of tactical and strategic background that I craved.

Can you outline your career journey?

I was in academia for a while pursuing a PhD, my research interest was on developing a knowledge management and experience transfer platform for managing major maintenance projects. I then started work in the water sector as an Asset Management Consultant.

My primary duties were to consult for Water companies and the Environment Agency on developing proactive maintenance plans, asset operations and maintenance management reporting metrics, conducting reliability-centred maintenance and developing medium-term asset management plans.

Currently, I lead the asset strategy implementation for assets at National Gas.

What are some key milestones or achievements in your career?

I have published journal papers outlining the application of multi-criteria decision-making techniques during major maintenance activities, and developed a knowledge management and experience transfer platform to transform tacit to explicit knowledge during major maintenance projects. 

I received recognition from the Institute of Asset Management UK Chapter for my involvement in the development of a Value-Framework (VF) utilised in the water industry to determine the selection of high benefits scoring non-infrastructure projects in the water industry. 

I was a lead engineer in the development of a medium-term asset management plan for the Environment Agency across 17 schemes for their strategic important Assets. This required massive data capture exercises, asset function definitions, site level and asset level criticality assessments, development of contingency and robust resilience plans. 

Current Role and Responsibilities

What is your current role, and what are your primary responsibilities? Can you describe a typical day at work for you?

I have been on maternity leave and have only briefly held my current role. However, my responsibilities in my current role are to lead the implementation and integration of the asset strategy of my company based on the company-wide stated business priorities for assets. My current company is an asset-intensive company and major operational activities are dependent on the identification, appraisal, optimisation and prioritisation of whole lifecycle options (maintenance, reliability, spares, capital delivery) for the different asset class strategies.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your current position?

One of the anticipated challenges would be balancing the needs and wants of stakeholders. To be effective in my current position, understanding key stakeholders and their expectations is crucial. 

Projects and Innovations

Can you tell us about a project you’ve worked on that you are particularly proud of?

I worked on delivering medium-term asset management plans for strategically important assets across different schemes for the Environment Agency. I was particularly proud of this project due to the workshop sessions that led to the engagement of strategy teams with the operations and field personnel.

This led to one of the biggest captures of tacit knowledge from experts and transformation into explicit knowledge which enhanced the development of criticality scoring/appraisals as well as proactive/predictive maintenance.

How do you approach problem-solving and innovation in your projects?

I like to understand the initial expectations of stakeholders. I also like to consider attributes such as operational contexts, sources of failures, critical paths as well as resource allocations. This ensures that I am able to balance the triple constraints within projects that is, time, cost and scope. While I am able to carry forward the experiences gained from previous projects, it is often important for me to initiate, plan and execute projects based on their unique attributes, that way the project outcomes are specific to the individual projects.

Skills and Expertise

What key skills do you think are essential for success in your field?

Ability to problem solve, being analytic, great negotiation skills, enjoy writing technical reports and being able to quickly adapt to new normals.

What made you join the SOE? How has the SOE helped your career?

My career journey is quite dynamic and not a lot of people have progressed from academia the way I have into the industry in my field. I was searching for a professional membership institution that was relatable to my career journey.  SOE was instrumental to my attaining chartership status and subsequent registration with the Engineering Council. I was supported through my membership process and also encouraged to pursue chartership after submitting my curriculum vitae and other required evidence.

There were genuine efforts to see me succeed and while the process was quite tasking, I never felt alone.

Personal Insights and Advice

What advice would you give to aspiring engineers or those early in their careers?

Have a mentor as quickly as you can. Join your preferred professional membership institution and stay active.

Can you share any memorable experiences or lessons learned during your career?

Do not be afraid to volunteer for activities even if you aren’t quite experienced. You will grow twice as fast and learn so much when you are less fearful of making mistakes. The quickest path to becoming a subject matter expert is by involving yourself in as many activities as you can find when you are a young engineer and going through the brunt of learning to set up each task as you go along.

Future Goals and Vision

What are your professional goals for the future?

A major part of my professional goals was attaining chartership status and Engineering registration with the Engineering Council. Having now met this goal, I would continue to advance my knowledge in the field of Engineering, especially with capital project deliveries and management of assets through the asset lifecycle. 

How do you see the field of engineering evolving in the next decade?

We have now entered into Industry 5.0 powered by artificial intelligence and characterised by big data. Engineering will become more standardised with fewer human errors as industries tend towards the acquisition of AI-powered tools. The principles of engineering will remain long-lasting, however as an added advantage, engineers in the next decade should strive to master tools which can assist them with delivering day-to-day tasks. Acceptance of AI which is inevitable will lead to a fast engineering explosion of ideas which will then generate innovative engineering solutions.

Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re excited about?

The focus of my industry is on the actualisation of hydrogen-powered energy as a clean energy source to ensure that net zero carbon commitments are met. There are lots of initiatives to achieve different milestones and Im quite excited to be working within a company that is at the forefront of leading the change.

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