The Engineering Excellence Awards offers a two-stage application and assessment process, as listed below.

Level 1 - First round internet application and assessment

From 2006 onwards, applicants may now submit an easy online application form. Once submitted and processed, all entries will be displayed electronically on a secure website to allow first round assessment to take place. A panel of judges will review entries and shortlist them, resulting in a list of finalists to proceed to the next round. After consideration by the judges, applicants will be notified of their progress and those who qualify will be invited to submit a Level 2 entry.

For Level 1, applicants are required to submit the following information online:

• Contact details of the applicant and joint applicants (if applicable)

• Project title

• Project category

• Comprehensive project summary (1000 words)

• Areas of project excellence (150 words)

• Up to 3 project images (300 dpi JPEG images at no larger than 500px X 500px)

PROJECT CATERGORY SELECTION

The following project categories apply for the Engineering Excellence Awards. Applicants may select up to 2 categories for Level 1 entry.

• Control Systems, Network Infrastructure & Telecommunications

• Manufacturing - Products, Facilities & Processes

• Enviroment & Heritage

• Welfare, Health, Safety, Education & Training

• Innovations & Inventions

• Research & Development

• Project Management

• Infrastructure Projects

• Building & Structures

• Small Business Ventures / Projects & Reports

• Engineering for Regional Communities

Please check the Entrant Guidelines for more information on each category.

Level 2 - Final round application and assessment of finalists

All applicants shortlisted to enter Level 2 automatically become category finalists.

For Level 2, applicants are required to submit a concise submission demonstrating the appropriate aspects of the entry, designed to inform the judging panel of the level of engineering merit. Submissions should contain no more than 6000 words or 12 pages. Areas of discussion must include:

• Details

  The name of the project and the category into which it is entered, full name and contact details of the company/companies or individuals involved.

• Executive Summary

  A 150 word (or less) summary providing a concise description of the entry which demonstrates the principal elements of its claim for excellence. This summary may be used to promote your project in the showcase booklet distributed on the presentation evening, and in other forms of communications.

• Description

  A summary including reasons for development, performance targets and innovation.

• Technical Data

  A summary of technical information, data or specifications necessary to gain an adequate understanding of the entry.

• Control Systems or Reviews

  A description of the level of performance achieved against agreed technical objectives and time, cost and quality targets.

• Resources

  Details of key consultants, people or companies involved in the entry, other factors such as the plant and equipment, materials used or the contribution of the client.

• Referees

  Include letters of commendation from client or other interested parties, such as community groups, who have participated in or benefited from the activity.

• Illustrative Material

  High quality visual media in the form of video or photographs is essential. Include, as a minimum, photographs. Hard copy entries should include actual photographs or copies on a CD or DVD. A minimum of 5 photographs is recommended. Ideally, video footage should aim to present the project from inception, through development to completion. Videos must be provided in high quality VHS or Betacam SP format.

• Declaration

  When making an entry, applicants will agree to allow Engineers Australia to release copies of submissions, or part thereof, to the media. Applicants also agree to allow Engineers Australia to use submission material in any written, audio-visual, video or media material prepared or distributed by Engineers Australia for the Engineering Excellence Awards or related promotional activities.

Level 2 entires require four copies of each submission, three bound and one unbound, plus a CD or DVD of the complete written submission. An equal number of copies of supporting material (photographs, discs, videos) should also be included.

JUDGING PROCESS

A panel of judges will be appointed for both entry levels. The judges may seek advice from outside sources when considering particular projects. The judging panel for each award will relate the general judging criteria to the specific attributes of their category. During the course of judging, the judges may be required to call upon the applicants to review the project.

Judges will look favourably upon submissions that demonstrate and give appropriate recognition to team contributions. The judges’ decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered into.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The criteria to which the 2006 Judging Panel will refer in assessing engineering excellence may include, but are not limited to:

• The ability to demonstrate the "areas of excellence" of the project;

• Benefits to the community and focus on customer needs;

• Innovation in design, construction, maintenance or management practices;

• Environmental sustainability;

• Use of sound engineering practices/principles;

• An engineering challenge;

• Commercial viability and quality of work;

• Significance of the work as a benchmark of Australian engineering;

• Extent to which the work represents world’s best practice;

• Adherence to budget and program.

THE BRADFIELD AWARD

The Bradfield Award recipient is chosen from the winners of all categories. This award recognises the overall finalist which is assessed to have achieved the highest level of engineering excellence.