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Which area involves engineers engaged in learning about nature and developing theories?
Design for manufacturability primarily focuses on which stage of product development?
In which area would an engineer be responsible for the quality of the construction process?
Which of the following is typically involved in areas with a high degree of engineering jobs?
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What term reflects the activity of turning a product concept into a finished item?
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Which option involves engineers assisting customers with technical expertise?
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Mcfarland traces the origin of the word 'manage' to mean what?
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Which area involves testing new products for workability?
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What is the purpose of planning in decision-making?
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What does a decision node typically represent in decision-making?
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Which of the following best describes a chance node in decision-making?
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Which of the following illustrates a key factor in effective decision-making?
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What is variance most commonly associated with in the context of risk?
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When implementing a plan, what does the plan serve as?
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Why might a manager lose sight of important concerns?
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What is a challenge exemplified by the management of the engineering firm?
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What is the primary purpose of network models such as PERT and CPM?
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Which technique primarily uses three time estimates for activities?
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How does decision theory assist in problem-solving?
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What role does Bayesian analysis play in forecasting?
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What does the Bayes criterion help a decision-maker to achieve?
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What is a key limitation of the Critical Path Method (CPM)?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding sampling theory?
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When are manager decisions particularly useful according to the provided content?
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What is the primary function of planning in management?
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Which management level is responsible for strategic planning?
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What aspect does Aldag and Stearns’ definition of planning emphasize?
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What is typically the output of strategic planning?
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Strategic planning takes into account which of the following?
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What type of planning is primarily done at the lower management level?
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Which of the following is NOT a focus area in strategic planning?
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Planning activities at various management levels help ensure what?
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What is a characteristic of a product or market organization?
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Which of the following describes a matrix organization?
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Which of the following is a disadvantage of a product or market organization?
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What is a significant benefit of the functional organization structure?
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What role do staff departments typically play in an organization?
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Which statement is true regarding the coordination in a product or market organization?
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What is a potential outcome of competition for corporate resources within a product or market organization?
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A key feature of a matrix organization is:
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Study Notes
Areas of Specialization
- Level Two includes engineers involved in moderate-level engineering jobs like transportation companies.
- Level Three includes engineers engaged in high-level engineering jobs such as construction firms.
Types of Organization and Management Skills Required of Engineers
- Communication facilities involve engineers who work in areas where a moderate degree of engineering skills are required.
- Research and Development include engineers who are actively engaged in understanding and codifying knowledge into usable theories. The engineers in this field also use their acquired knowledge to convert a product concept into a finished physical item.
- Testing involves engineers who work in units where new products or parts are tested for functionality.
- Manufacturing involves engineers who directly oversee production personnel or are responsible for the product.
- Construction involves engineers who are either in charge of construction personnel or are responsible for the quality of the construction process.
- Sales involves engineers who assist the company's customers in meeting their needs, particularly those requiring technical expertise.
Types of Managers
- Managers play a vital role in an organization and have a "school of figure management."
- The word “manage” originates from the Italian word “maneggiare,” which means "to handle," especially to handle or train horses.
Network Models
- Network models are used to manage large, complex tasks by breaking them into smaller, independent segments.
- Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) is a technique that uses three time estimates to schedule, monitor, and control large and complex projects.
- Critical Path Method (CPM) is a technique that uses only one time factor per activity to schedule, monitor, and control large and complex projects.
Sampling Theory
- Sampling theory is a quantitative technique used to statistically determine samples of populations for various processes, including quality control and marketing research.
Statistical Decision Theory
- Decision theory refers to the rational approach to problem-solving in situations with limited or partial information.
- The process of decision-making involves evaluating alternatives, however, Bayesian analysis is a crucial aspect that should be considered when evaluating alternatives.
- Bayesian analysis aims to revise and update initial assessments of event probabilities generated by alternative solutions.
- Bayes criterion selects the decision with the maximum expected payoff or the minimum expected loss, based on probabilities assigned to the decision rule.
Forecasting
- Forecasting involves making decisions with future implications for engineer managers.
- It is defined as the collection of past programming, useful as a decision-making tool for supply and demand.
Planning
- Planning is a process of making decisions, which involves considering all alternatives and related facts.
- It also includes determining the who, what, where, when, and how of task execution, as well as the standards for completion.
- Planning is the process of selecting the best course of action to achieve desired results.
The Planning/Decision-Making Process
- When multiple activities are overwhelming, it is essential to use planning to minimize mistakes in decision-making.
- Planning provides a systematic approach to achieving desired outcomes and acts as a guide during implementation.
A Challenge in Planning
- An engineering firm encountered a situation where the hiring process cost more than double the expected amount compared to other firms for the same number of new hires.
Planning at Various Management Levels
- Strategic planning, undertaken by top management, involves setting long-range goals and strategies for their achievement.
- Intermediate planning, undertaken by middle management, focuses on implementing goals defined by top management.
- Operational planning, undertaken by lower management, focuses on executing tasks related to specific operations.
Strategic Planning
- Strategic planning is a process of determining the major goals of an organization and the policies and strategies for achieving these goals.
- It involves analyzing the organization's existing resources, considering external opportunities and threats, and developing a strategic plan outlining long-range goals and actions to achieve them.
Product or Market Organization
- Product or market organization structures group employees around specific products or customer segments to foster customer focus and coordination.
- These structures provide advantages like customer focus, coordination, responsibility, and product development opportunities.
- They also have disadvantages like resource duplication, reduced technical depth, poor coordination, limited top management control, and competition for resources.
Functional Organization
- Functional organization structures are effective for smaller firms where key activities revolve around distinct skills and specialization.
- These structures promote efficiency in departments like production, marketing, and finance.
- Staff departments provide specialized skills supporting line departments like strategic planning, labor relations, research, accounting, and personnel.
Matrix Organization
- Matrix organization structures involve multiple channels of command, budgeting, and performance reviews.
- They ensure the alignment of resources with projects while maintaining overall organizational goals.
Staff Departments
- Staff departments provide specialized support services to line departments, including strategic planning, labor relations, research, accounting, and personnel.
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Description
This quiz explores the different levels of engineering specializations and the management skills required for engineers across various fields. It delves into communication, research, testing, manufacturing, and construction aspects within engineering roles. Test your knowledge on the diverse organizational demands placed on engineers at different career levels.
