The Way of the Artisan

The Way of the carpenter is to become proficient in the use of his tools, first to lay his plans with a true measure and then perform his work according to plan. —A Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi

Those words were written around 1645 and they are timeless. To a professional, there is a clear workmanlike path leading a project from inception to completion. Whether the creation is physical or virtual, the craftsman has the moral obligation to follow that path with a sure step, thus consistently producing a superior product as a matter of course. The measure of success is in the quality of the results and nowhere else.

Virtual crafting is a way of doing a job that inevitably leads to the best possible result; no other end is possible for those who follow this path.

RE: Western New York Water Works Conference

Dear Darrell:

I would like to thank you for taking the time to make the presentation at the Conference on Wednesday, February 7, 2001.

Your presentation was extremely interesting and informative.

Again, thank you for your time and I look forward to working on future conferences together.

Very truly yours,

Paul R. Chatfield, P.E.

—Paul Chatfield