In the fast-changing world of technology, learning from other’s technical mistakes can be a great way to improve your skills and avoid problems. While each technical journey is different, the lessons others have learned can save you time, effort, and frustration. The mistakes others make can give us helpful insights that we might miss if we make the same errors ourselves.
By paying attention to the mistakes of others, we can spot patterns and avoid problems that we might not see through trial and error. Whether it’s coding bugs, system failures, or issues with software setup, knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing the right way to do things. Learning from others’ mistakes helps us solve problems faster and avoid costly errors.
For example, a developer who shares their bad experience with a difficult database migration can help others understand the risks. Likewise, a network administrator discussing the effects of poor security settings can stop others from making the same mistake. These shared lessons not only save time but also improve decision-making and problem-solving skills.
When we start learning from other’s technical mistakes, we get to see things they may have missed, which helps us avoid repeating their errors. Instead of making the same mistakes, we can build on their experiences and speed up our growth and expertise.
Technical mistakes Related to Civil Engineering
Ignoring the Water Table in the Foundation Design
During the foundation design phase of a project, an engineer overlooked the importance of checking the groundwater table level. The structural design was completed, and material estimation had already begun. While reviewing items during estimation, the estimator inquired about bitumen coating for the foundation. This prompted the engineer to recheck site conditions — only to discover that the water table was significantly high. It was a serious oversight, as the design did not account for waterproofing, uplift check, or other protective measures required in such conditions. This last-minute realization caused delays, design revisions, and a potential increase in cost.
Lesson Learned: Always verify site-specific geotechnical data — especially the water table level — before finalizing foundation designs. A small check early on can prevent major complications later.
Technical mistakes Related to Electrical Engineering
Undersized Cable Selection Due to Ignoring Voltage Drop
In one commercial building project, the electrical engineer selected cable sizes based primarily on current-carrying capacity but failed to properly check for voltage drop over long cable runs. After installation, several equipment units at the far end of the distribution line began malfunctioning due to low voltage. Troubleshooting revealed that the voltage drop exceeded permissible limits, especially during peak loads. The team had to replace entire cable segments with larger sizes, resulting in additional cost, time loss, and damaged client trust.
Lesson Learned: Always consider both current capacity and voltage drop when selecting cable sizes, especially for long runs. Proper calculation upfront avoids costly rework and system inefficiencies later.
Improper Earthing System in Industrial Setup
In an industrial automation project, the engineer designed the electrical layout but neglected to implement a proper earthing (grounding) system for sensitive control panels and machines. During commissioning, frequent tripping of circuit breakers and erratic behavior of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) were observed. After thorough investigation, it was found that electrical noise and leakage currents were not being properly dissipated due to the inadequate earthing. This not only delayed the project but also posed serious safety risks.
Lesson Learned: Never overlook the importance of a well-designed earthing system, especially in setups involving sensitive or high-load equipment. Good grounding is critical for both safety and system stability.
Incorrect Tilt Angle in Solar Panel Installation
During the installation of a rooftop solar system, the installer used a standard fixed tilt angle without considering the site’s geographic location or seasonal sun path. As a result, the panels were not optimally oriented for maximum solar exposure. After monitoring the system’s performance, it became clear that the energy output was significantly lower than expected. A later assessment revealed that a small adjustment in tilt and orientation could have improved efficiency by 15–20%.
Lesson Learned: Always calculate and set the optimal tilt and orientation of solar panels based on the site’s latitude and expected sun path. Even small errors can lead to major losses in energy production over time.
Your Mistakes Can Be Someone Else’s Lesson
As we continue to grow in our technical fields, sharing real experiences — both successes and setbacks — becomes a powerful way to support each other. That’s the purpose of this platform: to create a space where professionals can openly share the lessons they’ve learned from mistakes. Whether it’s a small oversight or a major error, your experience could help someone else avoid the same pitfall. Feel free to share your stories anonymously — your insight might be exactly what someone else needs to succeed.
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