Engineering Management EM 101

• ing milestones include:
  • Stone bladed axe The Functions of the Engineer
    • Engineers perform various tasks based on specialization and job level, requiring effective and efficient performance.
    • Historical engineerand irrigation systems (6000 to 3000 B.C.)
  • Egyptian pyramids (3000 to 600 B.C.)
  • Roman road construction (600 B.C. to 400 A.D.)
  • Paper and gunpowder production (100 to 1600 A.D.)
  • Steam engines and weaving machinery (1601 to 1799 A.D.)
  • Modern automobile and household appliance manufacturing.
• Current engineering challenges involve:
  • Food production for the growing population.
  • Air and water pollution management.
  • Solid waste disposal and recycling.
  • Noise reduction.
  • Increasing energy supply and mobility.
  • Crime prevention and communication infrastructure.

Functions of Engineering

• Key areas of engineering functions include:
  • Research: Investigating nature and formulating theories.
  • Design and Development: Transforming concepts into tangible products.
  • Testing: Ensuring new products meet specifications.
  • Manufacturing: Overseeing production with direct responsibility.
  • Construction: Managing construction quality and personnel.
  • Sales: Assisting customers with technical expertise.
  • Consulting: Providing advisory services to organizations.
  • Government: Regulating and monitoring infrastructure.
  • Teaching: Educating the next generation of engineers.
  • Management: Leading teams to accomplish specific objectives.

Engineer in Organizations

• Organizations classified by engineering job levels:
  • Level One: Minimal engineering roles (e.g., retail).
  • Level Two: Moderate engineering roles (e.g., transport).
  • Level Three: High engineering roles (e.g., construction).
• Opportunities for leadership generally increase with the level of engineering responsibility, particularly in Level Three organizations.

What is Engineering Management?

• Engineering Management combines technical knowledge with the ability to organize and coordinate various resources.
• Positions range from supervising a small team to potential roles like general manager or president.
• As engineers advance, their focus shifts from technical tasks to management responsibilities.

Management Defined

• Management is described as the creative problem-solving process encompassing planning, organizing, leading, and controlling resources.
• Effective management requires identifying objectives, strategizing, assigning tasks, motivating teams, and ensuring direction aligns with goals.

Requirements for Engineer Manager’s Job

• Essential qualifications for an engineer manager include:
  • A bachelor's degree in engineering; a master's may be needed.
  • Experience in an engineering role.
  • Training in supervision and engineering management.

Path to Becoming an Engineer Manager

• Successful engineering managers emerge through a combination of ability, motivation, and opportunity.
• Ability: Capacity to achieve objectives efficiently and effectively.
• Motivation to Manage: Desire to lead and manage people, which can be measured through specific dimensions such as competitiveness and the desire for authority.
• Opportunity: Availability of suitable managerial roles and a supportive environment that rewards managerial talent.

Summary

• Engineers have significantly contributed to civilization through diverse roles and responsibilities.
• Management includes strategic resource planning and organization to achieve objectives.
• Success as an engineer manager depends on meeting qualifications and preconditions like ability, motivation, and opportunity.