The Engineer’s Perspective

Read below to learn about James’s approach and perspective on problem solving and civic solutions

Solving a complex engineering problem isn’t always easy. Similarly, finding a solution to any other challenge our society faces can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s reducing the number of people who are homeless, or negotiating a geopolitical conflict, I believe in the power of data, nuance, and patience. My goal is to shine a light on well-reasoned approaches, and I hope to offer compassionate solutions with transparent assumptions.

My engineering approach to problem solving starts with skepticism. I ask myself what I know about a problem, and then I question that information. Framing a problem starts with context. If two parties can’t agree on what we’re talking about, then how will we be able to understand each other once we start? I’ve heard it said that the one who controls the definitions, controls the argument. In my advocacy, I want to find out why we use certain definitions and how that affects public understanding. We should know what assumptions we are starting with, and this allows us to go on a journey of learning, rather than simply confirming our own biases.

All scientific endeavors are rooted in fact-finding, and public service at its best follows the scientific method: a cyclical process by which we systematically test our assumptions with research and primary data collection. Scientists and civil servants use the same rigorous approach to research, which includes meticulous documentation of sources. Whether it was interviewing county officials for the Graham Center for Public Service or combing through public reporting data on industrial wastewater discharges to support federal regulatory updates, my technical experiences all taught me how to appropriately identify and fill data gaps. Every day, I use this approach to make California cleaner through state-led environmental cleanups.

However, regurgitating data is not the same as making policy. To make sense of information, I try to figure out what story the data are telling. This step requires plugging new information into the framework of the problem. Public officials work to make sense of information, and that is what I’ve done in my experience as a civil servant. Information on its own cannot solve a problem, and officials’ work isn’t done at the end of a single policy.

We must avoid paralysis by analysis, too, and this is where the engineering lens takes my problem-solving to the next level. Improving our world is a never-ending, on-going process, but we can’t be afraid to make steps forward. As an engineer, I know how to make educated assumptions based on incomplete data. This is the key to effective problem solving, and it’s what my solutions-focused advocacy hopes to accomplish. My engineering experience has given me the tools to effectively solve complex problems, and I apply this to my public service. Let’s put our data to work, and I hope my service inspires others to take action.