Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a key characteristic of nonprogrammed decisions?
What is a key characteristic of nonprogrammed decisions?
Which dimension is part of Miner’s psychometric instrument for measuring management motivation?
Which dimension is part of Miner’s psychometric instrument for measuring management motivation?
What is the first step in the decision-making process?
What is the first step in the decision-making process?
What kind of decisions are categorized as rational according to David H. Holt?
What kind of decisions are categorized as rational according to David H. Holt?
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Which of the following is NOT a requirement for successful management?
Which of the following is NOT a requirement for successful management?
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What is meant by a supportive climate in management?
What is meant by a supportive climate in management?
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What is a problem in decision-making considered to be?
What is a problem in decision-making considered to be?
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Which of the following is least likely to be a dimension of motivation to manage as per Miner’s research?
Which of the following is least likely to be a dimension of motivation to manage as per Miner’s research?
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What does the internal environment refer to in the context of decision making?
What does the internal environment refer to in the context of decision making?
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What is a crucial first step in the decision-making process?
What is a crucial first step in the decision-making process?
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Which of the following best describes developing viable alternatives in decision making?
Which of the following best describes developing viable alternatives in decision making?
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Why is evaluating alternatives important in the decision-making process?
Why is evaluating alternatives important in the decision-making process?
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What characterizes managerial decision making?
What characterizes managerial decision making?
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What factors are considered when evaluating alternatives?
What factors are considered when evaluating alternatives?
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Which option best explains the relationship between internal and external environments in decision making?
Which option best explains the relationship between internal and external environments in decision making?
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Which best describes the nature of decision making?
Which best describes the nature of decision making?
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What does market share represent in a competitive environment?
What does market share represent in a competitive environment?
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Why is innovation important for successful companies?
Why is innovation important for successful companies?
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How is productivity defined in the context of organizational performance?
How is productivity defined in the context of organizational performance?
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What must be determined to ensure effective resource allocation?
What must be determined to ensure effective resource allocation?
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What role does manager performance and development play in an organization?
What role does manager performance and development play in an organization?
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What defines worker performance and attitude in successful businesses?
What defines worker performance and attitude in successful businesses?
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Why is profitability a crucial aspect for an enterprise?
Why is profitability a crucial aspect for an enterprise?
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What is the purpose of setting standards in organizational planning?
What is the purpose of setting standards in organizational planning?
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What is the primary role of an engineer according to management definitions?
What is the primary role of an engineer according to management definitions?
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Which level of management directly supervises non-managers and manages short-term tasks?
Which level of management directly supervises non-managers and manages short-term tasks?
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What distinguishes an engineering manager from other types of managers?
What distinguishes an engineering manager from other types of managers?
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Which of the following is NOT considered a function of management?
Which of the following is NOT considered a function of management?
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What is 'efficiency' in the context of engineering management?
What is 'efficiency' in the context of engineering management?
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What is the main focus of 'opportunity decisions' in management?
What is the main focus of 'opportunity decisions' in management?
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Which area is NOT typically the responsibility of an engineer?
Which area is NOT typically the responsibility of an engineer?
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What do first-line managers create for their teams?
What do first-line managers create for their teams?
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Which management function is primarily concerned with assigning specific tasks?
Which management function is primarily concerned with assigning specific tasks?
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What type of management decisions are typically made under a crisis?
What type of management decisions are typically made under a crisis?
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What is NOT a component of the management process?
What is NOT a component of the management process?
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Which engineering area is specifically about transforming product concepts into physical items?
Which engineering area is specifically about transforming product concepts into physical items?
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How is effectiveness primarily defined in management?
How is effectiveness primarily defined in management?
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What does motivation to manage entail for an engineer manager?
What does motivation to manage entail for an engineer manager?
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What is the primary purpose of intermediate planning within an organization?
What is the primary purpose of intermediate planning within an organization?
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Which type of planning is primarily associated with less than one year in duration?
Which type of planning is primarily associated with less than one year in duration?
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Which document summarizes the current financial situation of a firm?
Which document summarizes the current financial situation of a firm?
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What is a characteristic of standing plans?
What is a characteristic of standing plans?
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Which of the following best defines the concept of 'span of control'?
Which of the following best defines the concept of 'span of control'?
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In a matrix organization, employees report to how many managers?
In a matrix organization, employees report to how many managers?
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Which type of organizational structure focuses on accomplishing main objectives directly?
Which type of organizational structure focuses on accomplishing main objectives directly?
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What defines a limited liability company (LLC)?
What defines a limited liability company (LLC)?
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Which plan is specified for unique courses of action that are unlikely to be repeated?
Which plan is specified for unique courses of action that are unlikely to be repeated?
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Which organizational culture emphasizes innovation and risk-taking?
Which organizational culture emphasizes innovation and risk-taking?
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Which of the following is an example of a procedure in standing plans?
Which of the following is an example of a procedure in standing plans?
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What is a common barrier to effective planning?
What is a common barrier to effective planning?
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What differentiates a corporation from a sole proprietorship?
What differentiates a corporation from a sole proprietorship?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Engineering Management
- Engineering Management is the combination of technical expertise with organizational and coordination skills.
- Engineering managers are uniquely qualified to manage technical functions or broader functions in high-technology enterprises.
- The five elements of the management process are planning, organizing, coordinating, motivating and controlling.
Decision Making
- Decision making is choosing a course of action from multiple alternatives.
- The heart of all management functions revolves around decision making.
- Decision making is a continuous process influencing organizational activities.
- Decisions are made to address problems or capitalize on opportunities.
Types of Decisions
- Programmed Decisions are routine and repetitive.
- Nonprogrammed Decisions are unique and nonrecurring.
Decision Making Process
- The rational decision-making process involves diagnosing the problem, analyzing the environment, articulating the problem or opportunity, developing viable alternatives, evaluating alternatives, making a decision, developing an implementation plan, and monitoring the implementation.
Characteristics of Successful Engineer Managers
- Managerial ability is the capacity to achieve organizational objectives efficiently and effectively.
- Effectiveness measures the extent to which objectives are achieved and problems are solved.
- Efficiency measures the relative resources used to achieve effectiveness.
- Motivation to Manage is a psychological trait measured by John B. Miner's psychometric instrument.
Planning
- Planning is the process of setting objectives and determining how to achieve them.
- Planning provides a framework for action and helps allocate resources effectively.
- The planning process includes setting goals, identifying strategies and tactics, determining resource needs, setting standards, and developing functional area plans.
- Strategic Planning focuses on long-term goals and involves analyzing the environment, setting objectives, and formulating strategies.
- Operational Planning aims to solve problems effectively and includes identifying opportunities to achieve goals, specifying resource requirements, setting standards, and developing functional area plans.
Importance of Planning
- Planning is essential for achieving organizational objectives.
- Planning provides a framework for action and helps to prevent waste and reduce uncertainty.
- Planning ensures that all organizational activities are coordinated and focused on achieving common goals.
Planning
- Planning outlines the future of the organization, serving as a blueprint for achieving desired outcomes.
- Strategic Planning sets the long-term direction while Operational Planning focuses on day-to-day tasks.
- Intermediate Planning bridges the gap between strategic and operational, involving contributions from sub-units.
- Short-Range Plans cover periods less than a year, often used by first-line supervisors, while Long-Range Plans extend beyond a year and are primarily handled by higher management.
- Standing Plans are recurring plans for repetitive situations, like policies, procedures, and rules.
- Single-Use Plans address unique scenarios, such as budgets, programs, and projects.
- Forecasting helps anticipate potential obstacles and opportunities and involves Mechanical Projection (future based on past), Analytical Projection (statistical extrapolations), adjustments, ensuring understanding, and acceptance.
- Common Planning Barriers include managerial inability, flawed process, lack of commitment, inadequate information, prioritizing short-term goals, over-reliance on the planning department, and focusing solely on controllable variables.
Organizing
- Organizing establishes the framework for efficient and effective collaboration within an organization.
- It involves defining verifiable objectives, clearly defining major duties and activities, and establishing areas of discretion and authority.
- Sole Proprietorship is a single owner with full control.
- Partnership involves two or more individuals with fewer legal restrictions.
- Corporations are legal entities owned by shareholders with limited liability.
- Limited Liability Company (LLC) offers limited liability and management flexibility with pass-through taxation.
- Cooperatives are owned by customers or users with earnings distributed proportionally.
- Hierarchical Organization has a clear chain of command where everyone reports to a single superior.
- Departmentation structures an organization by grouping people based on function, product, geography, or a mix.
- Span of Control refers to the number of subordinates a manager oversees.
- Narrow Span of Control is expensive, with multiple management levels potentially slowing down decision-making.
- Wide Span of Control can overload managers and limit subordinate access to guidance.
- Organizational Structures include Functional (grouping by common tasks, centralized decision-making), Product or Market (based on specific products or customers, allowing for flexibility and responsiveness), and Matrix (employees report to both a functional and project manager, fostering adaptability and skill development).
- Workplace Cultures vary, with Person Culture valuing individuals, Market Culture focusing on results, Adaptive Culture prioritizing change, Adhocracy Culture encouraging innovation, Power Culture centralized under a leader, Role Culture structured with defined jobs, Hierarchy Culture emphasizing efficiency, Clan Culture fostering a family-like environment, and Task Culture forming teams for problem-solving.
- Line Functions execute the core objectives of the organization, while Staff Functions provide support services or advice.
- Authority types include Line Authority (direct control over subordinates), Staff Authority (advisory role), Functional Authority (specialist oversight regardless of location).
- Personnel Staff provide services to a specific manager, while Specialized Staff do so for the whole organization.
- Committees are formal groups formed for specific goals, including Ad Hoc for temporary purposes and Standing for ongoing issues.
Staffing
- Staffing is the process of finding, evaluating, and developing personnel to fill organizational roles.
- Human Resource Planning involves forecasting future personnel needs, analyzing current workforce, and developing employment and training programs.
- Recruitment involves attracting potential candidates, using internal sources like promotions and succession planning, and external sources such as advertising, recruitment agencies, referrals, and direct recruitment.
- Selection involves choosing the most suitable candidates through application review, interviews, reference checks, tests, and a final decision.
- Introduction and Orientation helps newcomers understand the organization's goals, values, and expectations.
- Performance Appraisal evaluates an employee's performance through various methods: ranking, rating scales, essays, management by objectives, assessment centers, checklists, work standards, grading, and 360-degree appraisals.
- Employee Performance Decisions involve monetary rewards, promotion, transfer, demotion, and separation.
- Employee Separation can be voluntary (retirement, resignation, transfer by request), involuntary (termination, suspension, retrenchment, layoff, transfer).
Communicating
- Communication involves sharing information through verbal, written, and nonverbal means.
- Effective communication within any organization is vital for collaboration, task execution, managing relationships, and implementing change.
- The Communication Process involves developing an idea, encoding it, transmitting it, receiving it, decoding it, accepting it, using it, and providing feedback.
- Communication Skills include setting clear goals, preparing agendas, and using proper closing techniques.
- Listening Skills involve observing non-verbal cues, following the speaker's train of thought, avoiding personal opinions and using minimal encouragers.
- Barriers to Communication can be personal (like emotions and values), physical (noise, distractions), or semantic (misunderstandings due to differing interpretations of symbols).
- To Overcome Barriers to Communication, use feedback, repeat messages, utilize multiple channels, and employ simplified language.
- Communication Types include verbal, written, and nonverbal.
- Management Information System (MIS) provides information on internal operations and external intelligence for decision-making, assisting in both routine (scheduling, inventory) and strategic (non-programmed) decisions.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of Engineering Management, including key concepts like decision making, types of decisions, and the management process. It also explores how engineering managers integrate technical skills with organizational capabilities. Test your understanding of these vital areas in high-technology enterprises.
