ENGINEERING

MANAGEMENT
By Engr. Katherine Shayne D. Yee

Engineers are often faced with responsibilities requiring outputs that will
depend on the individual accomplishments of subordinates. Managing people,
however, is one area where the engineer is expected to be least prepared.
- Roberto G. Medina

CHAPTER 1: THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

Engineers are expected to perform a variety of task depending on their
specialization and job level. It is important to the engineer that he knows what
is expected of him so he maybe able to perform his job effectively and
efficiently. His next concern will be to identify the skills required but which he
does not have. As engineers are not trained to directly deal with people, it is
expected that their weakness will most often be on people-based skills. This
difficulty will be apparent once they occupy management positions.
It follows that if the engineer manager would want to do his job well, some
exposure to engineering management activities becomes necessary.

Since prehistoric times, mankind has benefited from the various tools,
equipment, and projects developed by engineers. Among are the following:

1. Pyramids of Egypt
2. Road building by romans
3. Production of paper and gunpowder of Chinese
4. Production of steam engines and the spinning and weaving machinery.
5. Manufacture of cars and household appliances.
These contributions indicate that engineers have become an indispensable
segment of the worlds professions. This expectations will surely continue for a
long time.

Even as engineers are currently producing solutions to many of the difficulties

faced by mankind, much is still expected of them. Their outputs, new or
improvements of old ones, are very much needed in the following specific
problems:

1. The production of more food

2. Elimination of air and water pollution
3. Solid waste disposal and materials recycling
4. Reduction of noises in various forms
5. Supplying the increase of demand for energy
6. Supplying the increase of demand for mobility
7. Preventing crimes
8. Meeting demand for communication facilities

The Functions of Engineer

1.

Research engaging to the process of learning about nature and turning it into
theories

2.

Design and Development activity of turning a product concept to a finish

physical object.

3.
4.
5.

Testing new products or parts are tested for workability.

Manufacturing production personel or the product itself
Construction either in charge of the implementation or responsible for the
quality of the construction process

6. Sales assisting the companys clients to meet their needs (technical expertise)
7. Consulting
8. Government regulating, monitoring, and controlling the activities
9. Teaching
10.Management manage groups of people performing specific task

THE ENGINEER IN VARIOUS TYPES OF

ORGANIZATION
Organizations maybe classified according to the degree of engineering jobs
performed:

1.

Level 1 those with minimal engineering jobs like retailing firms (slim
chance of being the manager)

2. Level 2 those with a moderate degree of engineering jobs like

transportation companies (engr may be assigned as head of engineering
division)

3.

Level 3 those with high degree of engineering jobs like construction firms
(biggest opportunity to become general manager)

What is Engineering Management?

Engineering Management refers to the activity
combining technical knowledge with the ability to
organize and coordinate worker power, materials,
machinery, and money.
Engineer managers are assume to be competent in his
specialization, he must work out the remaining portion of
his job which is management.

The Process of Management

1. Planning
2. Organizing
3. Directing (Leading)
4. Controlling

How one may become a successful engineer

manager?
It is very important that engineer manager know the factors leading to successful
management.

1.

Ability capacity to achieve organizational objectives effectively and

efficient. (output > input)

2.

Motivation to Manage

a.

The following are the dimensions in knowing if the certain personnel is motivated to
manage

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Favorable attitude to the superiors

Desire to engage in games with peers
Desire to engage with occupational or work related competition with peers
Desire to assert and take charge
Desire to exercise power and authority over others
Desire to behave in a distinctive way (standing out)
Sense of responsibility in carrying out duties associated with managerial work

How one may become a successful engineer

manager?
3. Opportunity successful managers become possible only if those having the
opportunity to manage.

SUMMARY
ENGINEERS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORLDS CIVILIZATION. THERE ARE LIKE
MANY AREAS WHERE THEIR PRESENCE IS NECESSARY LIKE
RESEARCH, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT, TESTING,
MANUFACTURING, AND ETC.
ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES NEEDS TO BE MANAGED AND ENGINEERS
ARE SOMETIMES PLACED IN POSITIONS WHERE THEY HAVE TO
LEARN MANAGEMENT SKILLS.
ONE MAY BECOME A SUCCESSFUL MANAGER IF THE
PRECONDITIONS OF ABILITY, MOTIVATION TO MANAGE, AND
OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE ARE MET.

CLASS DISCUSSION
1.

Can the engineer manager avoid making management decisions? Why or

why not?

2. When problem comes apparent and the engineer manager chooses to

ignore it, is he making a decision? Explain your answer.

3. Why is proper diagnosis of problem is important?

4. How many alternative solutions must be made?
5. What are the approaches in solving problems?