Hi all,
I wanted to pass on the results of the PCB designer survey that I posted recently. Bill Brooks added some comments to the survey, so I combined the results of the two questionaires into one document below. If the boldness or the colors come through, I made people's initial responses in red/bold and some of the additional comments people added in blue/bold and quotes.
I have tried to eliminate any mention from comments made of the city they are from so that people will comfortable making any comments they desire in the future. This compilation also does not contain any comments made by the Designers Council board members themselves, including my own and Bill’s. You will see under # 3 below that I have volunteered to take on the role of “communications representative” for the board, so if you have comments at any time that you would rather not share with the forum, you may send them directly to me and I will compile them for the next board meeting.
Thanks,
Susy
Susy Webb, C.I.D.
PCB Layout Engineer
Suntron Corporation
281-243-5982 direct
281-243-5882 fax
[log in to unmask]
Designer's Survey -
1) Do you want to be informed about the topics the DC Executive Board and
Education Committee are actively discussing and working on?
All who responded said YES!
"Yes, I want all the information that can be sent my way, thanks."
"Yes, I'm actually very interested in the DC even though I'm no longer a member."
"Yes, this may eliminate many questions and speculation from members"
2) If your answer is 'Yes', How would you like to receive that information?
a) Posted on the designers council forum? Yes - 7
b) In the Route Newsletter? - 3
c) In some other format? - 2 (please make a suggestion) "Maybe keep archive page on the IPC DC Website."
"The forum. If you put it in the Route, you are excluding a lot of designers."
"Maybe All"
"Yes, I think this is an excellent use of the forum. The only drawback is that I am unsure about how many designers actually subscribe to this forum. Therefore, I would like to see the forum promoted."
"Yes, the DC forum is a good place where interested parties can interact."
3) How should the board 'listen to' the needs of our members? What is the best way for your ideas and suggestions to get communicated to and acted upon and implemented by the Designers Council committees?
a) Via Direct e-mail from members? - 5
b) Through the use of a Survey? - 2
c) By representation from local chapter officers? - 2 Yes - "the quarterly concalls
are very useful."
d) Other? - (please make a suggestion)
"By direct email. It is easy to ignore a survey or general
questionnaire. A personal email is most likely to get a response. Now, all the Board needs to know is who we are, where we are, and what our email addresses are. I'd sure like to know how to compile those lists. Maybe that is something that could be compiled at the conferences. Designers could sign up to receive emails and maybe share
the addresses of others they know who do not attend the conferences. Maybe the Board could ask for a response through the forum."
"How about assigning a special communications representative - one person as a contact that a designer can communicate with, who would then interact with
the board on their behalf? That's just one suggestion.” (from Susy - as a result of this suggestion, I volunteered to take on this task.)
“I don't like surveys because I've never really seen one that achieves its intended use.”
"Via Direct e-mail from members"
"By representation from local chapter officers"
“Representation from local chapter officers wouldn't work for designers at large or in inactive chapters."
"this message forum"
"Yes, the Executive Board cannot represent me, if my thoughts and concerns are not heard by the Board. A Board who has no input from the designers can only represent itself."
"Yes. It would be difficult for me to support any organization that didn't keep members informed."
"Maybe surveys like this one, to get a consentous, and work on what seems to be a priority to more members."
"Forums and e-mails to start, maybe localize town hall type meetings (where/when covenant) to help open dialog."
"Via Direct e-mail from members, Through the use of a Survey, and By representation from local chapter officers?
An example survey is at <http://dcchapters.ipc.org/pnw/survey> (broken right
now, it will hang if you click "Send Survey" on the last page)"
4) Are you a current member of the Designer's Council?
Yes
"No. I didn't renew because my closest chapter is not
very active (last meeting posted on the web was for 2003). There really
doesn't seem to be much activity in the Midwest."
5) Are you planning to join or renew your membership?
Yes
"Perhaps. In the past, the only benefit I received was the $50 credit
towards standards."
6) Are you interested in finding out more about helping out on a DC
committee or DC program?
Possibly - 1
Yes - 6
"NO, don't have the bandwidth"
"Yes - however travel is not being authorized at my company. Other than our local chapter,
my participation is primarily via teleconference."
"I don't have a clue what I could do to help, but if I can, please ask."
"Maybe. It would depend on my accessibility to national issues are. Such as: Can I get there from here? Will I make a difference (yield for my time and travel dollar). What is needed, and can I contribute?"
"Yes, although I'm not sure how much benefit I'd be. My personal priority would be with designer education. I would like to see the Council move towards web-based education. There are many designers that simply can't
travel to the big shows every year plus additional travel to designer's summits, etc. It would be great to see educational opportunities on every design level. Wouldn't it be great to have a web-based "designer university"? I know it's a very big undertaking, but if it never gets
started, it will never happen : )"
7) What are your plans to attend PCB Designer events in the next year? How many events can you reasonably attend per year?
Almost everyone said 1
” 1 maybe 2 if I can justify it.”
"I get limited company support for events, but, am working on it."
"Everything is relative - it depends on what is offered. You have to weigh
the $2K+ price tag for each event against what you can take away from it."
"I'd be at all of them if I could."
"Hopefully PCB East since it will be held local to me."
"At my present company, no out of state events, most that come to xxxx."
Please indicate the events you would prefer to attend
* IPC Works - 1
* IPC APEX - 2 - "(unfamiliar)"
* PCB WEST - 9
* PCB EAST - 4
* Designers Summit -1
* Designers Symposium - 3
* Chapter Meetings - 5
* Other...
"Given financial support of my company, I would love to attend in the order above (however I am only authorized to attend xxxx functions.)" (from Susy again…. I did not include his order, but can if anyone is interested. It followed the basic pattern above.)
8) What programs or topics would you like to see addressed by the DC
leadership?
a) Certification - 3 - "additional levels"
b) Domestic or International training - 2 - "local events"
c) Design Literature - 4
d) Improved or expanded benefits - 4 "There are
benefits????? Oh yeah, I remember something vague about this from the past"
e) Discounts on IPC Specs - 3
f) Chapter Meeting Content or Speakers - 4
g) Other? "Yes, see if we can get the local chapters back in business. The national
level is great and we need the leadership but, the local level is where it's at. (it's where the designers are)."
"All of the above. Concentrate on education and literature."
"I am on our core team in xxxx - we are in the process of breaking in new officers, so will be "starting up again soon". A library of meeting content and available speakers would be useful."
"Erosion of the North American Job market.”
”Lack of direct representation of the DC on the IPC board."
9) Which things do you dislike about the DC programs?
"That the events and meetings at the national level are out of reach for that rookie designer that needs the exposure to the class and info... It's hard enough for the 20year veterans to get help from their company's to afford travel and fees to the events that would be the most bang for the buck. I don't have the answer but, suggest a scholarship program that you build up, a little like Top Gun (essays of you need for it and want to learn) and compete for discounted rates (I know we can't afford to give it away and if it's additional discount it be able to be given to more then one person) on the big conferences or even the Symposiums."
"Am satisfied with the current programs"
"I feel a bit remote and left out. I'm a "member at large" because there is no chapter near (within a 45 minute drive) me."
10) How can the DC as an organization better serve you as a member?
"More Input (information on what going on with the DC)"
"I would like to see the DC be more recognized as a vital part of IPC and PCB design in general. I think the key to that is through IPC sponsored education and showing its value to industry/customers. In general, designers have more respect today than they did 30 years ago, but they are
still lagging way behind in most cases. It is rare when companies realize the contribution designers make to the end product. I'm still amazed that we are often referred to as CAD operators. That has to change. I've been
lucky - I do way more than design boards and enjoy it a lot. Even though I've been at this since 1972, there is lots for me to learn."
"Collect and share best practices/speakers/sponsors for facilitating chapter meetings throughout the year"
Your additional comments:
"- I am really happy with the email forums available. I just attended Dieter's "Preparing the IMS Industry for Lead Free" workshop this week in xxxxx and found it very informative and up to date. I did get to go the the IPC event in Anaheim a few years back, and wish I could go to such events every year, so if there ever could be a major event in xxxxx, I'd be happy to help."
Your contact information:
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