Purpose of the Communication Task

The task is not a test of your technical knowledge alone—it assesses your ability to communicate ideas, decisions, and arguments as a professional engineer. The nature of the task varies based on the level of Review:

• Incorporated Professional Review (IPR):

• You’ll be asked to produce a factual, technical memo or note, focusing on clear and concise reporting without personal opinion.

• Time allowed: 60 minutes.

• Chartered Professional Review (CPR) and CPRP:

• You’ll be required to interpret information, organize your thoughts, and present them in a format such as a blog post, briefing note, or news article.

• Time allowed: 90 minutes.

This reflects the higher expectations placed on candidates at the Chartered level, where communication skills must extend beyond reporting facts to forming and conveying professional opinions.

Typical Communication Task Formats

Examples of formats you may be asked to produce:

• Blog post: Requires an engaging, structured approach with a balance of opinion and factual content.

• Letter to a government office: A formal, structured document that presents a logical case while remaining respectful and clear.

• News article: Must capture the reader’s attention and present information in a concise, informative style.

To excel, candidates must be familiar with different writing formats and understand their tone and structure. Reading technical blogs, articles, and formal letters will help you recognize effective communication techniques.

Common Scenarios for the Communication Task

Topics are likely to be industry-relevant and may include:

• The impact of climate change on civil engineering projects.

• Lessons learned from high-profile engineering failures (e.g., Grenfell Tower, Water Company sewerage leaks and infrastructure failures).

• The future of remote working in the civil engineering industry.

The specific format and topic will be set by your reviewers from a pool of standardized tasks. Candidates will be given two scenarios to choose from and one specified format to follow.

Key Objectives for Success

To succeed, you must demonstrate the ability to:

1. Understand and Digest Information: Interpret the scenario and extract key points.

2. Organize Your Thoughts: Create a logical structure for your response.

3. Communicate Clearly: Present information concisely, without jargon or unnecessary details.

4. Adapt to the Audience: Write for a non-specialist audience when required, explaining complex ideas in simple terms.

Tip: Avoid writing as if you’re speaking to fellow engineers—show that you can adjust your language and style to suit the audience.

Planning Your Response

Take 10–15 minutes at the start to plan your response. A well-structured plan can make the difference between a coherent, impactful submission and one that loses focus.

Steps for Planning:

1. Enquiry: Identify what the question is asking. What is the context? What key points must be addressed?

2. Discovery: Brainstorm relevant information and ideas. Jot down facts, figures, and examples that support your points.

3. Expansion: Determine how you will explain your points, provide evidence, and form conclusions.

4. Challenge: Include professional insights or perspectives that provoke thought and demonstrate independent thinking.

5. Conclusion: Summarize your points without introducing new information. Ensure your conclusion ties back to your main arguments.

Writing the Communication Task

• Introduction: State your purpose and outline your approach to the scenario.

• Body: Present your key points logically, with each paragraph covering a specific theme. Avoid jumping between unrelated ideas.

• Conclusion: Provide a clear, concise summary of your response and reinforce your main points.

Tip: In formats like blogs and news articles, you may start with the key message and then provide supporting details—adjust your approach based on the format given.

Time Management

Ensure you allocate time for each section:

• Planning: 10–15 minutes.

• Writing: 40–70 minutes.

• Reviewing: 5–10 minutes to check grammar, spelling, and flow.

Avoid spending too much time on a single point—ensure balance across all sections.

Common Types of Questions

1. Factual: Requires explaining technical information or procedures.

2. Expository: Involves describing how or why something works.

3. Argumentative: Requires presenting an opinion and defending it with evidence.

4. Visionary: Asks for predictions or insights about the future of the profession.

For Chartered-level Reviews, the focus is often on presenting professional opinions. There’s no "right" answer—reviewers want to see well-reasoned arguments supported by evidence.

Improving Your Communication Skills

1. Practice Writing: Draft sample responses to common scenarios and formats.

2. Get Feedback: Ask mentors or colleagues to review your writing and provide constructive criticism.

3. Read Widely: Read articles, blogs, and technical reports to understand how professionals structure their writing.

4. Join Workshops: Participate in communication training groups or webinars to sharpen your skills.

How We Help You Prepare

Our Communication Task preparation service includes:

• Mock Exercises: Simulate the Communication Task with realistic scenarios and time constraints.

• Detailed Feedback: Receive in-depth feedback on your writing structure, tone, and style.

• Tailored Tips: Learn how to improve your clarity and adjust your communication style for different formats.

Effective written communication is essential not just for the Review but throughout your career. By practicing with real-world examples and receiving targeted guidance, you’ll approach the Communication Task with confidence.

Book your session today and sharpen your communication skills for success!