Melissa Ball

Lead Document Controller and Technical Lead – Document Control at Wallbridge 

Gilbert Aztec (WGA), in Adelaide, Australia

As the Lead Document Controller, I manage and mentor my growing team whilst actively leading document control activities across a wide range of projects. Every day provides a different challenge and I never dreamt that I’d be contributing to a maritime project one minute, and a transport, hospital, or defence project the next.

My role as Technical Lead – Document Control sees me operate across the business – educating colleagues and clients on the importance of document control, implementing processes and procedures, and ensuring document control and quality are represented in key business decisions.

I have recently been appointed as an Associate. It’s an honour knowing that not only am I being personally recognised, but Document Control is also acknowledged as a valued part of our employee-owned business. 

Can you describe your professional experience? 

Like many Document Controllers, I came across the profession by accident. 

I was working in engineering administration when I took a temporary Document Control assignment to assist a project team for 6 weeks (that lasted 12 months), and 12 years later, I’m still as excited by this career as I was all that time ago.

Over  the 12 years, I have worked on the contractor’s and client’s sides, predominately on road and rail projects, before making the jump to design with WGA nearly five years ago. 

I have loved the challenge of building the reputation of our profession as an essential service and being able to drive change whilst building long-lasting relationships.

Which Consepsys course did you attend and when? 

I attended the Advanced Document Control course in May 2019 and completed the Lead Document Controller Certification in July 2022. I attended both courses face-to-face in Perth.

What did you think about the course? How did it help you in your current role and career development?

I loved attending both courses. It was great to be in a room with like-minded people, learning the course content while also accessing support, experience and mentoring from Consepsys and the other participants. 

Each course has helped me refine my work, reconsider what’s best for the business, and ignited a confidence to continue developing Document Control initiatives and myself as a leader.

 Interview date: September 2022