Perspective: Embracing Change for Integrated Circuit Designers – Paving the Way to a Thriving Career

Microelectronics is advancing rapidly, especially in electronic design automation (EDA) and design methodology. It’s an exciting time for those of us involved in these fields. However, embracing change doesn’t come naturally to us as humans. Unlike machines, we take time to process information, make decisions, and move forward.

Psychologists refer to a concept called “Cognitive Dissonance,” which describes the discomfort we feel when our actions don’t match our values or beliefs. For example, you might want to be healthy but find it hard to exercise regularly or eat well. Similarly, in our industry, you might aim to be a top-notch designer but struggle to keep up with the latest advancements.

We often resolve this internal conflict by justifying our behavior. For instance, you might think, “I want to be an excellent designer, but I can’t stay updated because I don’t have enough time.” Even with these justifications, a little voice in the back of your mind might push you to find solutions. This could mean having conversations with your boss or colleagues about improving your design methods, as efficiency is crucial for everyone.

Having open discussions with management and colleagues can make it easier to implement new ideas, provided you have good relationships with them. Therefore, it’s important to foster positive work relationships to ensure a welcoming environment for new concepts.

While technology evolves, so do people management techniques, creating an additional layer of complexity. Reflecting on my time at Plessey in the 90s, an engineering manager introduced something called a “Delivery Contract.” This required a detailed investment calculation over a product’s life cycle, with all teams committing to crucial milestones set through careful project management and collaboration.

Initially, I resisted the new procedure because it felt administratively burdensome. However, after adopting the process, I realized it addressed a major company flaw: the absence of a thorough business case analysis before starting product development. This realization resolved my Cognitive Dissonance, though it took months. In hindsight, having more data might have eased the transition.

Admittedly, my resistance stemmed from a reluctance to change. I was comfortable with the existing Plessey processes and was not eager to adopt new methods. This reaction aligns with Newton’s third law: “For every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction.” In human nature, if someone pushes us in one direction, we tend to push back.

People generally resist change, and there’s a wealth of information on change management available. Experts highlight the importance of empathy and understanding human behavior before initiating change. As designers, it’s vital to recognize our biases and be open to change when needed. Change isn’t just a trend; it’s essential.

On the topic of coping with change, Harriet Green shared a five-step inspirational process, reminding us that change is the only constant.