Chapter One – The Field of Engineering Management
Learning Outcome:
At the end of the session, the student is expected to:
1. To identify the various engineering fields.
2. To appreciate the contributions of engineers in our development as a society.
Pre-test:
1. What is the job of a civil engineer?
Initiation:
Engineers are expected to perform a variety of tasks depending on their specialization and job level.
It is important to the engineer that he knows what is expected of him so that he may be able to perform his
job effectively and efficiently. As engineers are not trained to directly deal with people, it is expected that
their weakness will most often be on people-based skills.
Discussion:
I. Introduction
i. Functions of the Engineer
- Since prehistoric times, mankind has benefited from the various tools, equipment,
and projects developed by engineers. These contributions indicate that engineers
have become an indispensable segment of the world’s professions.
- Some of the problems engineers solve are the following:
1. Production of more food for a fast growing world population
2. Elimination of air and water pollution
3. Solid waste disposal and recycling
4. 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. Increasing demand for communication facilities
ii. Engineering Fields
1. Research – where the engineer is engaged in the process of learning about
nature and codifying this knowledge into usable theories.
2. Design and Development – where the engineer undertakes the activity of
turning a product concept to a finished physical item.
3. Testing – where the engineer works in a unit where new products or parts are
tested for workability.
4. Manufacturing – where the engineer is directly in charge of production
personnel or assumes responsibility for the product.
5. Construction – where the construction engineer is either directly in charge of
the construction personnel or may have responsibility for the quality of the
construction process.
6. Sales – where the engineer assists the company’s customers to meet their
needs.
7. Consulting – where the engineer works as consultant of any individual or
organization requiring his services.
8. Government – where the engineer may find employment in the government
performing any of the various tasks in regulating, monitoring, and controlling
the activities of various institutions, public or private.
iii. Engineer in Various Types of Organization
- From the viewpoint of the engineer, organizations may be classified according to the
degree of engineering jobs performed:
1. Level One – those with minimal engineering jobs like retailing firms.
2. Level Two – those with a moderate degree of engineering jobs like
transportation companies.
3. Level Three – those with a high degree of engineering jobs like construction
firms.
iv. Management Skills Required at Various Levels
- Among the types of organizations, the engineer will have a slim chance of becoming
the general manager or president of level one
II. Engineering Management
- Engineering management refers to the activity combining “technical knowledge with
the ability to organize and coordinate worker power, materials, machinery, and
money”.
- Management may be defined as the “creative problem solving-process of planning,
organizing, leading, and controlling an organization’s resources to achieve its mission
and objectives.
a. Process of Management
- As per the definition of management, management must seek to find out the
objectives of the organization, think of ways on how to achieve them, decide on the
ways to be adapted and the material resources to be used, determine the human
requirements of the total job, assign specific tasks to specific persons, motivate them,
and provide means to make sure that the activities are in the right direction.
ii. Requirement for the Engineer Manager’s Job
1. A bachelor’s degree in engineering or master’s degree in engineering or
business management
2. A few years of experience
3. Training in supervision
4. Special training in engineering management
iii. How one may become a successful engineer manager
- Successful engineer managers do not happen as a matter of chance, although luck is
contributory factor.
- The three preconditions 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.
2. Motivation to Manage
- Refers to one’s desire to manage other employee. A management
researcher, John B. Miner developed as 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 games or sports competition with peers.
iii. Desire to engage in occupational or 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.
III. Summary
- Engineers are known for their great contributions to the development of the world
civilization. There are many areas where their presence is necessary like research, design
and development, testing, manufacturing, construction, sales, consulting, government,
teaching, and management.
- Management is concerned with planning, organizing, leading, and controlling an
organization’s resources to achieve its mission and objectives.
- One may become a successful engineer manager if the preconditions of ability, motivation to
manage, and opportunity to manage are met.
IV. Assessment
1. In what areas are engineers currently involved?
2. Which organization level requires the highest management skills for engineer managers?
3. What qualifications must and engineer manager have?
V. References
Engineering Management, Roberto G. Medina
