Introduction to Engineering Management

Introduction to Engineering Management

• Engineering management combines engineering principles with business practices.
• The goal is to effectively plan, direct, and oversee engineering projects, processes, and teams.

Definitions of Engineering Management

• Book Definition: Engineering management involves planning, organizing, allocating resources, and controlling activities with a technological component.
• Internet Definition: It is a specialized type of management needed to successfully lead engineering and technical employees and organizations.
• ChatGPT Definition: It is a specialized field that combines engineering principles with business practices.
• Google Gemini Definition: It is the application of engineering principles and management techniques.

Functions of an Engineer in General

• Engineers apply scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, implement, and maintain systems.
• They create structures, machines, or processes that solve problems and improve quality of life.
• Their specific functions vary depending on their field.

General Functions of an Engineer

• Design and Development: Conceptualizing solutions, creating designs and prototypes, and ensuring efficiency and safety.
• Analysis and Problem Solving: Analyzing data, diagnosing technical issues, and developing innovative solutions.
• Planning and Management: Estimating costs, developing project plans, and managing teams and budgets.
• Testing and Evaluation: Conducting experiments, evaluating functionality, and making modifications based on test results.
• Maintenance and Operations: Ensuring efficient operation of systems, performing regular maintenance, and troubleshooting issues.
• Research and Innovation: Staying updated with technology, conducting research, and collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams.
• Ensuring Compliance and Safety: Adhering to industry standards, conducting risk assessments, and meeting environmental and legal requirements.
• Communication and Collaboration: Communicating technical concepts, collaborating with professionals, and preparing reports and presentations.

Engineer Roles and Responsibilities in Different Organizations

• Research: Discovering new knowledge and technologies, with responsibilities including conducting experiments, developing innovations, publishing findings, and collaborating with researchers.
• Design and Development: Transforming ideas into products or systems by designing prototypes, developing specifications, and iterating based on feedback.
• Testing: Ensuring product safety and reliability by developing test plans, performing tests, documenting findings, and resolving issues.
• Manufacturing: Optimizing production processes, designing production systems, implementing automation, and ensuring compliance.
• Construction: Managing infrastructure projects, planning activities, ensuring safety, managing resources, and coordinating with stakeholders.
• Sales: Promoting engineering products and services, understanding client needs, providing technical presentations, and negotiating contracts.
• Consulting: Providing expert advice, analyzing systems, developing strategies, and ensuring compliance.
• Government: Contributing to public infrastructure, developing standards, advising policymakers, and managing public projects.
• Teaching: Shaping future engineers by developing materials, conducting research, supervising projects, and staying updated.
• Management: Overseeing teams and projects, planning and executing, managing budgets, leading teams, and communicating with stakeholders.

Processes of Management

• Planning: Setting organizational goals and strategies.
• Organizing: Structuring resources and tasks.
• Staffing: Recruiting and training employees.
• Communicating: Sharing information effectively.
• Motivating: Inspiring and encouraging employees.
• Leading: Guiding team members toward objectives.
• Controlling: Monitoring progress and making adjustments.

Management Levels

• Low-Level/First-line Managers: They hold titles such as foreman and supervisor.
• Middle Managers: Plan intermediate-range goals, establish policies, and evaluate performance.
• Top Managers: They are responsible for defining the character, mission, and objectives of the enterprise.

Requirements for the Engineer Manager's Job

• Educational Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.
• Technical Expertise: Knowledge of engineering principles.
• Managerial and Leadership Skills: Leading diverse teams.
• Experience: Prior experience in engineering roles.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication.
• Problem-Solving and Analytical Skill: Capability to analyze and resolve challenges.
• Licensure and Certifications: Professional Engineering license.
• Adaptability and Lifelong Learning: Staying updated and adapting to changes.

Case Study: Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX)

• The CCLEX is a landmark infrastructure project in the Philippines.
• Key challenges included geographical complexity and community concerns.
• Engineering management played a large role in project planning, execution, stakeholder collaboration, innovation and tech usage.
• An economic boost, sustainability, and public benefit were achieved.

Decision-Making

• Decision-making is a structured process of selecting a course of action from multiple alternatives.
• It is based on information, analysis, and is strategically alligned.
• It ensures efficiency, risk mitigation, and goal achievement.

Decision-Making Process

• Identify the Problem
• Gather relevant information
• Identify alternatives
• Evaluate alternatives
• Choose the best alternative
• Implement the decision
• Monitor and evaluate results

Approaches in Solving Problems and Decision-Making Models

• Qualitative Approach: Relies on experience, intuition, and expert judgment.
• Quantitative Approach: Involves using data-driven, statistical, and mathematical models.

Case Study: Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Decision-Making Process

• The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) was a major project.
• Key challenges included safety concerns and economic viability.
• Engineering Management Roles included risk assessment, stakeholder analysis, cost-benefit analysis and ethical considerations.

Planning

• Planning is the process of defining goals, strategies, tasks and schedules to achieve objectives.
• It ensures efficient resource allocation and aligns organizational activities with long-term business objectives.

Nature of Planning

• Goal-oriented, focusing on organizational objectives.
• Continuous process requiring assessment and adaptation
• Pervasive Function applied across all management levels.
• Future-Oriented and involves forecasting and preparing for uncertainties.
• Integrative Process coordinating departments and function.

Planning Levels

• Strategic(Top Management)
• Tactical(Middle Management)
• Operational(Lower Management)

Planning Process

• Define Objectives
• Analyse the environment
• Identify alternative courses of action
• Evaluate Alternatives
• Select the best alternative
• Implement the plan
• Monitor and review

Types of Plans

• Strategic plan
• Tactical plans
• Operational plans
• Contingency plans

How to make planning effective

• Set clear objectivies
• Encourage participitation
• Use data driven insights
• Ensure flexibility
• Monitor and adjust

Case study

• The Rehabilitation of Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant
• The AHPP located in Norzagaray, Bulacan, Philippines, is a vital source of renewable energy and water supply for Metro Manila.

Key Challanges

• Aging Infrastructure
• Operational continuity
• Coordination of multi-disciplinary teams
• Environmental and safety complience

Planning Process in Engineering Management

• Comprehensive Feasibility Study
• Project scope and scheduling
• Resource allocation
• Risk assessment and contingency planning
• Stakeholder engagement
• Enviornmental planning

Impact and outcome

• Increased efficiency
• Operational continuity
• Cost management
• Improved safety and compliance
• Sustainability and comminity impact

Organization

• Organizing is the process of structuring resources, roles, and responsibility within an organizational.
• It allows for efficient strategic objective, workflows, hierarchy and smooth operations.

Why organize

• Efficiency and productivity
• clear Roles and Responsibilities
• coordination and communication
• Scalability and Growth

Structure

• Defines Reporting Relationships
• Enhances Specialization
• Improves Workflow Efficiency

Informal vs Formal organizationssation

• Formal Organization: The officially recognized structure and comms
• Informal Organisation: unoffical networking

Types of Organizational Structure

• Functional Organization: Employees are grouped based on their specialized skills and roles.
• Market Organization: Teams are structured based on market segments, product lines, or client needs.
• Matrix Organization: A hybrid structure that combines functional and project-based roles.

Types of authority

• Line Authority: Direct control over subordinates and decision-making responsibilities.
• Staff Authority: Advisory role that supports decision-makers with expertise and recommendations.
• Functional Authority: Authority over specific processes or tasks across multiple departments.

Purpose of Committees

• Decision-Making: Provides a structured approach to evaluating and approving key business initiatives.
• Problem-Solving: Brings together experts to resolve complex challenges.
• Coordination and Integration: Ensures alignment between various departments and projects.

Key challenges for maynilad water services

• Decentralised Maintenance Teams
• Unclear roles and responsibilities
• Uncoordinated inventory management

Results of reorganisation

• Centralising Maintenance operation
• Role definition and task allocations
• Optimising store parts inventory
• Implementing a Preventative Maintainance schedule.