Upload
warren-bell
View
217
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Engineering ManagementA Course for Survival
Robert A Durham, PERobert A Durham, PE
DD22 Tech Solutions, Inc. Tech Solutions, Inc.
Tulsa, OKTulsa, OK
Marcus O Durham, PhD, PEMarcus O Durham, PhD, PE
University of TulsaUniversity of Tulsa
Tulsa, OKTulsa, OK
Rosemary DurhamRosemary Durham
THEWAY CorpTHEWAY Corp
Tulsa, OKTulsa, OK
Engineering survival & success Depends on many skillsIn addition to technology
Engineering survival & success Depends on many skillsIn addition to technology
AbstractAbstract
Class looks at topics– Professionalism to ethics– Presentation to people skills– Project management to international cultures
More impot than ever– Engineering environment very dynamic– Frequent transitions between employer– & job function
Gordian KnotGordian Knot
AssessmentsAssessmentsNumerous personality stylesNeeds & motivationChanging int’l face of upper level
– Cultural nuances– Remote management
Industrial interaction– Quality– Legal
Not one text available
Almost an oxymoron• Engr train to deal w/ things & how work• Mgt train to deal w/ people & how to work
First engr semesters: pre-businessEngr well-adapted to business?Engr perceived as difficult
Engineering ManagementEngineering Management
Engr one of best backgrounds for mgt skillsEngr quick learner & analytical
RealityReality
StudiesStudies
Carnegie Foundation– >30 years of surveys– 60% of engr degree become
• Mgr or businessmen• w/in 15 yrs
Cleland & Kogaolu– 40% of industrial execs– 34% of all top corporate managers in US– Have engr education
R.I.P.
Universal SymbolUniversal Symbol
Unfortunately many engrs lower value of mgtFind reality of universal engr symbol
$All engr units convert to itIf project cannot be converted to moneyIt is unlikely to develop
Book
1. Dichotomy between engr & mgt1. Dichotomy between engr & mgt2. Very difficult to find truly cross-sectional book2. Very difficult to find truly cross-sectional book
focus on technology & not peoplefocus on technology & not people
6. Joint venture - online6. Joint venture - online
3.3. Business type writesBusiness type writesfocus on cash, money, financial risk mgtfocus on cash, money, financial risk mgt
4. Tech type writes4. Tech type writes
vice-president international engr firmvice-president international engr firm
focus on peoplefocus on people5. Very few text books of any persuasion5. Very few text books of any persuasion
university professoruniversity professor
image consultantimage consultant PublishPublish
People SkillsPeople SkillsWhere most engr have greatest shortcomings Simply not been part of process or educationNaïve engr disdain need
– Soft science & unimportant– Doomed to stagnation
People do business with people they like.
Engr
Dale CarnegieDale Carnegie
Guru of modern people skillsHow to Win Friends & Influence People1939 & still going3rd mantra
Find out what people want
& help them to get it
In the process, you will get what you want
Real ObjectiveReal Objective Move from engr & mgt to leadership Leader know why, mgr know what, engr know how Mgr does things right, leader does right things Hire people that know how,
Takes a vision or dream to know why Mgr works for someone,
Leader is working toward something Mgr is a leader without the vision
So What is the ProgramSo What is the Program
Chapter headings identify topicsEach area designed for one-hour discussionSeven broad sectionsNot technical – get that elsewhereAssumed people have technical qualifications
– Now working on functioning with people.
TopicsTopics
Style
Communication
BusinessLegal
Ethics
Projects Profile
StyleStyle
How you are wiredAs inherent as color of eyesNot one is better or worseTwo questions?
• Are you more task or people oriented?• Are you more outgoing or reserved?
Differences are source of much conflict
& Lack of performance
With training anyone can compensate
Tasks People
Outgoing
Reserved
CommunicationCommunicationPresenting your idea in most effective way& getting feedbackMore about listening than speakingPerhaps weakest link for tech professionalsIf can’t communicate, do not have knowledgeNumerous vehicles
Books, papers, articles, reports, memos, emails, letters, lectures, presentations, phone calls, audio recordings, video, handshake, backslap, touch.
BusinessBusiness
Life cycle of technologyTheory of technology growthImpact on theory of economics
W = P Tn
Shift in technology cost opens new optionsShifts affect people, education, organizations
LegalLegal
Involves all outside structural constraintsRisk mgt: safety, environmental, qualityForce technical solution
– Not most cost effective– Not highest performance
Present litigious environment– Every product suspect
Ethics Ethics
Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626), philosopher The Advancement of Learning
“For the end of logic is to teach a form of argument to secure reason and not entrap it; the end of morality is to procure the affections to obey reason, and not invade it…”
Bacon asserted it is reasonable & logical to pursue morality.
First Inaugural First Inaugural
President George Washington
“There is not truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness”
Can ethics & morality be taught?Begs the question, everything is learned
ProjectsProjects
Projects are unique in an organizationExist for a set time & purposeDefinable cost, schedule, & taskPM skill w/ people, dollars, technologyPM trade-off time, money, qualityTech training – how things workSo, first responders in forensics
– By training assume right– Other side also assumes right
ProfileProfile
Dr. Benjamin Franklin1 of most influential leaders of early republicBusinessman, architect of government,
diplomat, scientist, philosopherRetired from business at 40 Early technologist experimenterDeveloped support societies, Junto, to
investigate ideasMust continue professional development
Does it work?Does it work?Evaluations of participants are best guageUniformly positive
– “An excellent course for engineering and science students”
– “We should have more such courses to improve professional skills helpful in the real world.
– “I thoroughly enjoyed this course. It enhanced my communications skills.”
ConclusionsConclusions Engineering is more than technology People skills necessary to survive Engineers are interested in learning these skills With training, engineers are most effective managers
Success requires skill with people, dollars, & technology
Engineering management is the course for survival
QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?