The aim of this paper is to propose an alternative expression for engineering practice in the context of the civil engineering and built environment sector. Our first objective is to demonstrate that the CDIO approach can, with these modifications, be applied in developing civil engineering and built environment programs. Our second objective is to showcase the adaptability of the CDIO approach, thereby encouraging other thoughtful modifications and transformations. We outline the ideas underpinning the original expression, and identify the role it plays in the CDIO methodology for curriculum development. Taking these factors into account, a modified expression is proposed to describe the engineering process in civil engineering and built environment. We divide the process into ‘investigation – planning – design – construction – operation and management’. Further, to ‘products, processes and systems’, we propose the addition of ‘environments’.