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CPD Summary – Transition to Project Management in Early-Stage Capital Delivery

Over the past six months, I have transitioned from a process engineering role into a project management position within a solutions team responsible for early-stage capital delivery. This team develops investment solutions for water and wastewater treatment assets as part of a five-year business plan, focused on environmental protection and the provision of safe, clean drinking water.

During this period, I have contributed to the development of phosphorus removal, nitrogen removal, and growth schemes with capital values ranging from £2 million to £11 million. This represents my first experience operating at this stage of the asset lifecycle, requiring integration of engineering, regulatory, commercial, and stakeholder considerations to define feasible and compliant solutions.

A key area of professional development has been working on schemes designed to achieve a total nitrogen consent of 10 mg/L in final effluent, a relatively new and challenging regulatory requirement within the industry. Additionally, I have been involved in schemes targeting tight phosphorus consents of 0.25 mg/L. These constraints have required the evaluation and selection of advanced treatment processes under low flow conditions, strengthening my capability in process selection, risk management, and regulatory interpretation.

This experience has broadened my skill set from detailed process design into strategic solution development, including optioneering, cost-benefit assessment, and multidisciplinary coordination. It has enhanced my understanding of how early-stage decisions influence whole-life cost, operability, and environmental outcomes.

Overall, this role has significantly developed my competence in project leadership, systems thinking, and the delivery of innovative engineering solutions in response to evolving regulatory drivers.

1) CPD Entry Mapped to IChemE Competences (A–E)

(for Institution of Chemical Engineers evidence logs)

Role Context:
Over a six-month period, I have transitioned from a process engineering role into project management within a solutions team responsible for early-stage capital delivery of water and wastewater treatment schemes. These schemes (valued £2M–£11M) support a five-year investment programme focused on environmental protection and potable water supply.

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A – Knowledge and Understanding
Applied advanced process engineering knowledge to the development of phosphorus removal (0.25 mg/L) and total nitrogen (10 mg/L) compliance solutions under increasingly stringent and novel regulatory requirements. Developed understanding of emerging treatment technologies and their applicability under low flow conditions, including process limitations and integration into existing assets.

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B – Design and Development of Engineering Solutions
Led and contributed to optioneering and concept development for P removal, N removal, and growth schemes. Evaluated multiple treatment solutions considering performance, operability, whole-life cost, and constructability. Developed robust, risk-informed solutions to achieve tight consents, particularly for total nitrogen, representing a new challenge within the sector.

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C – Responsibility, Management and Leadership
Managed early-stage project development, coordinating multidisciplinary inputs (process, civil, MEICA, environmental, and commercial). Contributed to programme delivery by aligning technical solutions with business drivers, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations. Developed skills in decision-making under uncertainty and balancing competing constraints.

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D – Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Communicated complex technical solutions to internal and external stakeholders, translating process risks and opportunities into clear, actionable recommendations. Facilitated discussions between technical disciplines and non-technical stakeholders to achieve alignment on preferred solutions.

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E – Professional Commitment
Demonstrated adaptability in transitioning into a new role and stage of the asset lifecycle. Maintained awareness of evolving regulatory drivers, particularly nutrient removal requirements. Continued professional development through practical application of engineering judgement in a project management context, expanding from detailed design into strategic solution development.

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2) Chartered Chemical Engineer–Style Evidence Statement

Over the past six months, I have expanded my professional capability by transitioning from a process engineering role into project management within a solutions team delivering early-stage capital schemes in the water sector.

In this role, I have been responsible for developing technically robust and commercially viable solutions for phosphorus and nitrogen removal, as well as growth-driven infrastructure schemes, with capital values ranging from £2 million to £11 million. This has required me to operate at the interface of engineering design, regulatory compliance, and strategic investment planning.

A key aspect of my work has been addressing the challenge of achieving a total nitrogen consent of 10 mg/L in final effluent, a requirement that is both stringent and relatively new within the industry. In parallel, I have contributed to schemes targeting phosphorus limits of 0.25 mg/L. These tight consents have necessitated critical evaluation of treatment technologies, particularly under low flow conditions, and the development of innovative, risk-based solutions.

Through this experience, I have strengthened my ability to apply engineering judgement in uncertain and evolving contexts, balancing performance, cost, operability, and environmental outcomes. I have also developed my leadership and coordination skills by working across multidisciplinary teams and engaging stakeholders to define and agree optimal solutions.

This role has broadened my perspective from detailed process design to whole-system thinking, enabling me to influence key early-stage decisions that shape asset performance over its lifecycle. It represents a significant step in my progression toward Chartered Chemical Engineer, demonstrating my ability to deliver effective engineering solutions in response to complex and emerging industry challenges.