THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT construction personnel or may have
responsibility for the construction
The Functions of the Engineer
process.
Since prehistoric times, mankind has benefited 6. Sales – where the engineer assists the
from the various tools, equipment, and projects company’s customer to meet their
developed by engineers. Among these are the needs, especially those that require
following: technical expertise.
7. Consulting – where the engineer works
1. the stone bladed axe; irrigation system; as consultant of any individual or
2. the pyramids of Egypt; organization requiring his services.
3. roadbuilding by the Romans; 8. Government – where the engineer may
4. production of paper and gunpowder by find employment in the government
the Chinese; performing any of the various task
5. the production of steam engine and the regulating, monitoring, and controlling
spinning and weaving machinery; and the activities of various institutions,
6. the manufacture of cars and household public or private.
appliances. 9. Teaching – where the engineer gets
Even engineers are currently producing solutions employment in a school and is assigned
to many of the difficulties faced by mankind, as a teacher of engineering courses.
much is still expected of them. Their outputs, 10. Management – where the engineer is
new or improvements of old ones, are very much assigned to manage groups of people
needed in the following specific problem performing specific tasks.
concerns: The Engineer in Various Types of Organization
1. the production of more food for a fast- From the viewpoint of the engineer,
growing world population; organizations may be classified according to the
2. the elimination of air and water degree of engineering performed:
pollution;
3. solid waste disposal and materials 1. Level One – those with minimal
recycling; engineering jobs like retailing firms.
4. the reduction of noise in various forms; 2. Level Two – those with a moderate
5. supplying the increasing demand for degree of engineering jobs like
energy; transportation companies.
6. supplying the increasing demand for 3. Level Three – those with a high degree of
mobility; engineering jobs like construction firms.
7. preventing and solving crimes; and
8. meeting the increasing demand for
communication facilities.
Specifically, the functions of engineering
encompass the following areas:
1. Research – where the engineer is
engaged in the process of learning about
nature and codifying this knowledge into
usable theories.
2. Design the development – where the
engineer undertakes the activity of Management Skills Required at Various Levels
turning a product concept to a finished
Among the types of organizations, the engineer
physical item.
will have a slim chance of becoming the general
3. Testing - where the engineer works in a
manager or president of level one, unless of
unit where new products or parts are
course, he owns the firm. The engineer manager
tested for workability.
may be assigned to head a small engineering unit
4. Manufacturing – where the engineer is
of the firm, but there will not be too many firms
directly in charge of production
which will have this unit.
personnel or assumes responsibility for
the product. In level two firms, the engineer may be assigned
5. Construction – this where the to head the engineering division. The need for
construction engineer (a civil engineer) management skills will now be felt by the
is either directly in charge of the engineer manager.
Kever three firms provide the biggest
opportunity for an engineer to become the
president or general manager. In this case, the
engineer manager cannot function effectively
without adequate management skills.
What is Engineering Management?
- Refers to the activity combining
“technical knowledge with the ability to
organize and coordinate worker power,
materials, machinery, and money.
- Main responsibility: to lead his group
into producing a certain output
consistent with the required
specifications
make sure that the activities are in the
right direction.
Requirements for the Engineer Manager’s Job
Depending on the type of products or services a
firm produces, the engineer manager must have
the following qualifications:
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 experiences in a pure
engineering job;
3. training in supervision;
4. special training in engineering
management.
These qualifications will be of great help to the
engineer manager in the performance of the
various management functions.
How One May Become a Successful Engineer
Manager
Kreitner indicates at least three general
preconditions for achieving lasting success as a
manager. They are as follows:
1. ability – refers to the capacity of an
engineer to achieve organizational
objectives effectively and efficiently.
2. motivation to manage
a. Favorable attitude toward those
in positions of authority, such as
superiors.
b. Desire to engage in games or
sports competition with peers.
c. Desire to engage in occupational
or work-related competition
with peers.
d. Desire to assert oneself and take
charge.
e. Desire to exercise power and
authority over others.
Management Defined f. Desire to behave in distinctive
“Creative problem solving-process of planning, way, which includes standing
organizing, leading, and controlling an out from the crowd.
organization’s resources to achieve its mission g. Sense of responsibility in
and objectives.” carrying out the routine duties
associated with managerial
The Process of Management work.
- Consists of planning, organizing, 3. Opportunity
directing (or leading), and controlling. The opportunity for successful
- Management must seek to find out the managements has two requirements:
objectives of the organization, think of a. Obtaining a suitable managerial
ways on how to achieve them, decide on job, and
the ways to mine the human b. Finding a supportive climate one
requirements of the total job, assign on the job.
specific tasks to specific persons,
motivate them, and provide means to
