Engineering ManagementA Course for Survival

Robert A Durham, PERobert A Durham, PEDD22 Tech Solutions, Inc. Tech Solutions, Inc.Tulsa, OKTulsa, OK

Marcus O Durham, PhD, PEMarcus O Durham, PhD, PEUniversity of TulsaUniversity of TulsaTulsa, OKTulsa, OK

Rosemary DurhamRosemary DurhamTHEWAY CorpTHEWAY CorpTulsa, OKTulsa, OK

Engineering survival & success Depends on many skillsIn addition to technology

Abstract

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 Knot

AssessmentsNumerous 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 Management

Engr one of best backgrounds for mgt skillsEngr quick learner & analytical

Reality

Studies

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 SymbolUnfortunately 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 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 CarnegieGuru of modern people skillsHow to Win Friends & Influence People1939 & still going3rd mantra

Find out what people want & help them to get itIn the process, you will get what you want

Real 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 ProgramChapter 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.

Topics

Style

Communication

BusinessLegal

Ethics

Projects Profile

StyleHow 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 performanceWith training anyone can compensate

Tasks People

Outgoing

Reserved

CommunicationPresenting 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.

BusinessLife cycle of technologyTheory of technology growthImpact on theory of economics

W = P Tn

Shift in technology cost opens new optionsShifts affect people, education, organizations

LegalInvolves all outside structural constraintsRisk mgt: safety, environmental, qualityForce technical solution

– Not most cost effective– Not highest performance

Present litigious environment– Every product suspect

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 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 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

ProfileDr. 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?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.”

Conclusions 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?