Chapter 1

THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

Depending on their level of experience and specialty, engineers are expected to handle a
range of jobs. Hence, an engineer needs to be aware of what is expected of him to carry out his
duties properly and efficiently. Finding the necessary skills that he lacks will be his next priority.
Given that engineers are not typically trained in interpersonal communication, it is assumed that
their weakest areas will typically be in people-related abilities. Once they are assigned to managerial
roles, this issue will become more apparent. Thus, some exposure to engineering management
operations becomes important if the engineer manager wants to perform his duties effectively.

The Functions of the Engineer

A lot is still expected of engineers, even though they are currently creating solutions for many
of the problems that humanity faces. Their new or improved outputs are greatly needed in the
following problem areas:

1. the production of more food for a fast-growing world population.

2. the elimination of air and water pollution.
3. solid waste disposal and materials recycling.
4. the reduction of noise in various forms.
5. supplying the increasing demand for energy.
6. supplying the increasing demand for mobility.
7. preventing and solving crimes.
8. meeting the increasing demand for communication facilities.

Specifically, the functions of engineering encompass the following areas:

1. Research
2. Design and development
3. Testing
4. Manufacturing
5. Construction
6. Sales
7. Consulting
8. Government
9. Teaching
10. Management

The Engineer in Various Types of Organization

From the perspective of the engineer, companies can be categorized based on the level of
engineering work completed:
i. Level One – those with minimal engineering jobs like retailing firms. The engineer will have
a very small chance of rising to the position of president or general manager in a level one
organization, unless he happens to be the company's owner. There aren't many companies that will
have this kind of unit, however the engineer manager might be given the responsibility of leading a
small engineering component.

ii. Level Two – those with a moderate degree of engineering jobs like transportation
companies. The engineer might be tasked with leading the engineering division. The engineer
manager will now realize that they need management skills.

iii. Level Three – those with a high degree of engineering jobs like construction firms. An
engineer has the best chance of becoming president or general manager at this level. In this
instance, the engineer manager's effectiveness is dependent on having sufficient managerial
abilities.

Engineering Management

The activity of combining technical knowledge with the capacity to plan and coordinate labor,
supplies, equipment, and financial resources is known as engineering management.
The first stage of engineering management begins the moment an engineer is given the
responsibility of overseeing even a small group of workers. His primary duty is to guide his team in
achieving a specified output that complies with the necessary requirements.
Now that it is assumed that the engineer manager is technically proficient in his area of
expertise, it is possible to go on to a more detailed description of the managerial aspect of his job.

The Process of Management

Management is a process consisting of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling. To

ensure that the organization's activities are moving in the right direction, management must identify
the organization's goals, brainstorm strategies to achieve them, choose which resources to use for
resources and adaptations, ascertain the number of workers needed for the entire task, assign tasks
to the right people, and provide means of monitoring progress.

Requirements for the Engineer Manager’s Job

The following requirements must be met by the engineer manager, depending on the kind of
goods or services the company offers:

1. a bachelor’s degree in engineering from a reputable school. In some cases, a master’s

degree in engineering or business management is required.
2. a few years experience in a pure engineering job.
3. training in supervision
4. special training in engineering management.

These credentials will be very beneficial to the engineer manager as they carry out the
different management duties.
How One May Become a Successful Engineer Manager

Luck plays a role, but it is not the only determinant in the success of engineer managers. It
is vital for the engineer manager to know the various factors leading to successful management.
Kreitner designates at least three general pre-conditions for achieving lasting success as a
manager.

1. Ability – Managerial ability refers to the capacity of an engineer manager to achieve

organizational objectives effectively and efficiently. Effectiveness, according to Higgins, refers to a
description of “whether objectives are accomplished”, while efficiency is a description of the relative
number of resources used in obtaining effectiveness.

2. Motivation to Manage – Many people have the desire to work and finish specific tasks
assigned by superiors, but not many are motivated to manage other people so that they may
contribute to the realization of the organization’s objectives.
A management researcher, John B. Miner, developed a psychometric instrument to measure
objectively an individual’s motivation to manage. The test is anchored to the following dimensions:

i. Favorable attitude toward those in positions of authority.

ii. Desire to engage in sports competition with peers.
iii. Desire to engage in occupational work-related competition with peers.
iv. Desire to assert oneself and take charge.
v. Desire to exercise power and authority over others.
vi. Desire to behave in a distinctive way, which includes standing out from the crowd.
vii. Sense of responsibility in carrying out the routine duties associated with managerial
work.

3. Opportunity – Successful managers become possible only if those having the ability and
motivation are given the opportunity to manage. The opportunity for successful management has
two requirements:

i. Obtaining a suitable managerial job.

ii. Finding a supportive climate once on the job.

References :
• Medina, Roberto. Engineering Management. Rex Publishing
RESEARCH WORK 01

1. Why are engineers considered an important segment of the society?

2. In what areas are engineers currently involved.
3. How may organizations be classified according to the engineering jobs performed?
4. Which organization level requires the highest management skills for engineer managers?
5. How may one define management?
6. What other qualifications must an engineer manager have?
7. Research the different engineering industry and define their basic functions of management.
8. What is concept mapping?

PREPARATION FOR WORKSHOP 01

• Form a group with 5 members.

• From Research Work Item No. 7, choose an industry and create your own company.
• Create a concept map on how you are going to formulate your company goals and the
services that you want to offer.
• Make sure that you will be able to defend your ideas.