Industry insight

From how to engage with the local community, understanding the landscape that you are working in, to the impact that designs and workplans may have. There are many factors to consider long before the work begins. 

In the world of engineering, disruption is often unavoidable. Many of the industries Primary Power operates in experience this regularly. To understand the complexities behind planning such projects, and the key considerations throughout a project’s lifecycle, we spoke to Sharon Incerti, who joined the team as Project Manager in November 2025.

With a rich and varied career including roles at Northern PowerGrid and WSP, Sharon brings deep insight into the challenges these projects pose. From early community engagement to understanding the environment you’re working in, Sharon explores these themes and more below:

Planning and preparation

“When planning engineering works, there are a range of questions that you must consider. What is the work that you’re doing? Why are we doing this? Is it a viable route? You also need to think about the information that you need to collate, from utility records to asset data, to understand what could pose a potential problem.

“Another essential element is planning upfront. You must understand what you’re doing and aim to reduce any costs that may arise later.

“In some instances, until you put the shovel into the ground, you’re not really sure what you’ll find. You must do your research and try to gather as much information as possible. If you need historical data, visit local libraries to gather the relevant information. Knowledge is power, so it is vital to do this well ahead of the project beginning.”

Environmental considerations

During engineering works it is important to consider the environment and any potential impacts, as Sharon explains:

“It is vital that you consider what is around you. For example, you must be aware of any nearby Network Rail structures or old landfill sites, which could contain asbestos. If working in an area with listed buildings, take the time to ensure that you know which buildings could be impact and communicate with residents, to reduce negative effects.

“When working in rural areas, it’s essential to collaborate closely with environmental authorities. You’ll encounter a range of considerations, from nesting birds and watercourse crossings to managing contamination risks and more. Maintaining strong collaboration helps you plan effectively around these factors and should remain a priority throughout.”

Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement is an extremely important part of the process. You must involve all local stakeholders, from councils, to schools, hospitals to bus operators. They play a huge part in the design process. A high level of external and internal collaboration is required from beginning to end.

Sharon cites a few examples to reiterate: “You may need to consider that your works don’t block an emergency route for ambulances, or schedule works around term times to operate safely outside of school hours. If working on a historical site, you may need to involve your local archaeology teams. If working near woodland, you must engage with environmental teams to ensure you minimise disruption to wildlife.”

There is, of course, the issue of unplanned works, which require a more reactive approach. However, as Sharon has highlighted where possible, plan ahead. This will help to alleviate problems further down the line.

Consistency through process

Consistency is a crucial part of the process. This is further supported by lessons learned and listening to corporate memory. It ensures that future mistakes can be avoided and make you aware of potential risks. It can be a challenge to collate this information; however, Sharon has one key tactic that helps to achieve this:

“A checklist is vital on every single project. It ensures a high level of quality, helps you record the lessons learned, prevents you from missing key steps, and above all, maintains consistency.”

The importance of communication

Engineering works aim to improve efficiencies and reduce pain points in the long term. When problems do arise, they often stem from one key factor: a lack of communications.

“Communication is as integral to engineering works as planning. People in the surrounding area must know what it is that you’re doing, why you’re doing it, when the work will take place and when it will finish. An effective communications strategy helps relay this information in a meaningful and sensitive way.

“It is imperative that you understand the demographics of the area. On a previous project in Bradford at WSP, we produced information videos in different languages as we recognised the importance of making people feel included.

“By producing communications in different languages, we could work sensitively with the local community, giving them time to make alternative plans if necessary. By getting acquainted with the area in advance, you gain a strong sense of how people live and work. This insight feeds into your communications strategy and helps minimise disruption.”

Media and engagement

New media has rapidly changed how planning works are communicated. however traditional media still plays a key role:

“We are seeing more emphasis on social media for community and stakeholder engagement. A key benefit of this is that you can see feedback directly through replies, helping you and the local council understand the issues people are experiencing.

“Traditional media also remains important, particularly regional newspapers. They are a fantastic way to help you communicate what it is that you are doing and why you’re doing it. It is important to involve them early in the process, build a rapport and ensure that you keep a consistent flow of communications.”

Final thoughts

Planning and designing engineering works will inevitably come with challenges. However, by embracing the principles above and planning ahead, you can reduce negative impacts and highlight the positives, as Sharon reflects:

“It is important to understand permits and know them well. Look at your timescales. In some instances, you won’t know what is in the ground until you start digging.

“Planning prevents poor performance. Map everything out in advance to illustrate the bigger picture and manage expectations in advance. Always think about the wider context, know the area you are working in, do your homework and always put yourself in others’ shoes.”

Thanks for a fascinating insight, Sharon. To find out more about Primary Power’s work in action, visit our services page here.