Chap 16Achieving Effectiveness as an Engineer

D ecision Mak ing

P lanning

O rganizing

Leading

C ontro lling

Managem ent Functions

R esearch

D esign

Production

Q uality

Marketing

Project Managem ent

Managing Technology

Tim e Managem ent

E thics

C areer

Personal Technology

Managing Engineering and Technology

Advanced Organizer

Chapter Objectives

Describe some of the steps to becoming an effective engineer

Explain different types of communication

American Assc. of Eng. Soc. (AAES) Survey--1984

Category % Satisfied

Technical education 88%

Preparation for current career

66%

Written communication skills

62%

Oral communication skills 55%

Human relations skills 52%

Career choice 55%

Career guidance 24%

Career progress 22%

April 1999 Manuf. Engineering Vol.122, No. 4

Leaping the Skills GapNew Skills Wanted (Increase 1985-1995)

Statistical Process Control (85%)Concurrent Engineering (68%)Cycle Time Management (>50%)Core Process Re-engineering (>50%)Business-based Employee TrainingComputer-based TechnologiesNew Manufacturing Processes & ConceptsPredictive & Preventive MaintenanceProduct Liability, Safety, Environmental IssuesMentors, Facilitators, & Educators

April 1999 Manuf. Engineering Vol.122, No. 4

Leaping the Skills GapAspirations (in 5-10 years)

31% Technical positionTechnical Realm (Tech. Mgmt.)28% Technical positionGeneral Mgmt.9% Management positionMove up

How to get thereImprovement on Technical AreasImprovement on Non-Technical Areas

April 1999 Manuf. Engineering Vol.122, No. 4

April 1999 Manuf. Engineering Vol.122, No. 4

April 1999 Manuf. Engineering Vol.122, No. 4

Leaping the Skills Gap

Tuition ReimbursementSeminars, Conferences, & Trade ShowsOn-the-job Training

April 1999 Manuf. Engineering Vol.122, No. 4

Learning on the job(Time spent learning in 6 mo. period)

April 1999 Manuf. Engineering Vol.122, No. 4

Learning on your own(Time spent learning in 6 mo. period)

Getting Off to the Right Start

Regarding Your WorkGive your best efforts to your early assignmentsDon't wait for others -- get things done!Go the extra mile -- and hourLook for visibilityLearn the corporate culture

Getting Off to the Right StartRegarding Your Boss

Be as careful as you can in selecting your boss.Keep your boss informedMake your boss's job easy

Regarding Associates and OutsidersNever invade other division's domain w/o permissionComplaint to the right personKeep up the "old school ties"With outsiders, you represent your company

Charting Your CareerDefining Career Success

Career = Occupation?Career = Organization?

Career FieldsOperational careersResearch & design careersEngineering management careersEntrepreneurial careersConsulting careersWriting careersAcademic careersOther careers

Career StagesGrowth stage (0 ~ 14)Exploration (15 ~ 24)Establishment (24 ~ 44)Maintenance (45 ~ 65)Disengagement

Career StagesApprenticeColleagueMentorSponsor

Communicating Your IdeasDefinition of Communication

Communication is the means by which information is made productive"To impart" or "to make common""The transfer of information from the sender to the receiver, with the information being understood by the receiver."

Communication Process

Thought

Encoding

Transmission of Message

Reception

Decoding

Understanding

Feedback

NoiseSender Receiver

Communication Methods Compared

Comm. Method

Speed

Feed-back

Record

Kept?

Formality

Complexity

Cost

Inf. Conv. Fast H N I Simple L

Tel. Conv. Fast M N I Simple L/M

Oral Pres. Med. H ? F Med. M

Note Med. L ? I Simple L

Memo Med. L Y I Low L/M

Letter Slow L Y F Med. M

Report V.Slow L Y VF Complex

H

Retention of Information

We tend to remember:

When our involvement is:

10% of what we read Passive reading

20% of what we hear Passive verbal receiving

30% of what we see Passive visual receiving

50% of what we hear & see

Passive verbal & visual receiving

70% of what we say Receiving & participating

90% of what we say & do

Being

Effectiveness of Communication

1. Oral plus written presentation2. Oral only3. Written only4. Grapevine

Informal communication system

Other Factors in Effective Communication

Active listeningNonverbal communication

7% verbal (words)38% vocal (pitch, stress, tone, pauses)55% facial (expression, eye contact)

Communication Tools for Engineers

Written reportExecutive summary

Oral briefingVisual aids

< 1 slide per minute1 slide, 1 ideaNot too much information

Staying Technically CompetentObsolescence & Personal Characteristics

Good capacity for knowledge acquisitionSelf-motivation to stay up to dateStrong interests in abstract ideasHigh achievement needsEnergy applied to workSelf-esteem, confidenceAdaptability to changeWilling to change

Staying Technically CompetentMethods of Reducing Obsolescence

Mastering technical literatureContinuing education• Formal degree• Workshops, non-degree courses• Training• Professional societies

On-the-job activity