Introduction to Engineering

Management
What is Engineering?
The profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural science
gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgement to develop
ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of
mankind
(1979, US. Engineering societies).
What is Management?
 A set of activities (including planning and decision making, organising, leading
and control) directed at an organisation’s resources (human, financial,
physical and informational) with the aim of achieving organisational goals in
an efficient and effective manner.
(Griffin)

 Creative problem solving-process of planning, organizing, leading and

controlling an organization’s resources to achieve its mission, goals and
objectives.
Engineering Management
 Engineering Management is concerned with the direct
supervision of engineers and the management functions
(planning, organising, leading and controlling) in a
technological organisation.

 Prepare engineers to become effective leaders in meeting the

challenges in this new millennium

 Refers to the activity combining “technical knowledge with the

ability to organize and coordinate worker power, materials,
machinery and money.
 Major Premises
 Technology and business savvy represents a very powerful
combination of great demand in society
 Market environment is rapidly evolving (changing
marketplace complexities, web-based technologies,
globalization)
 Leaders with understanding of technology and
management perspectives are needed
 Engineers with proper management and leadership
training have great opportunities to add value
Functions of Engineers encompasses the
following areas
 Research
 Design, development of products/processes
 Testing
 Production, Manufacturing and Construction
 Sales
 Consulting
 Government
Functions of Engineers encompasses the
following areas

 Project engineering/management
 Value engineering and analysis
 Technology development and applied R&D (laboratory,
field)
 Customer service
Degree of engineering job performs

 Level one
those with minimal engineering jobs
 Level two
moderate degree of engineering jobs
 Level three
High degree of engineering jobs
How to become a successful Engineer
Manager

Kreitner indicates three general

preconditions for achieving lasting success as
a manager
Ability
Motivation to manage
Opportunity
 Effectiveness

Refers to whether the objectives are

accomplished

 Efficiency

Is a description of the relative amount of

resources used in obtaining effectiveness
Questions
 Why are engineers considered an important segment of the society?
 What are expected of engineers in general?
 In what current concerns are engineering outputs needed?
 In what areas are engineers currently involved?
 How many organizations be classified according to the engineering jobs
performed?
 Which organization level requires the highest management skills for engineer
managers?
 What is engineering management
 Define management
 What qualifications must an engineer manager have?
 How may one become successful engineer manager?