Management Challenges for engineers

Management Challenges for engineersIntroductionEngineering management and leadershipDefinitionsEngineering managersWork of practicing engineersEngineering managers and leadersChallenges in the millennium Management Challenges for engineersIntroductionCustomers need are changing Competition is becoming globalTechnology is advancingCompanies needs effective leaders (business & technology)

Managers are select employees who are entrusted with responsibilities.communication means to use verbal or written, with or without body languagetaking decisive action planning organizing leading controlling Management Challenges for engineersManagers are select employees who are entrusted with responsibilities.utilizing resourcespeopletimecapitalequipment facilitiestechnologybusiness relationshipsguiding the behavior of internal teamsprojects task forcesquality circlesManagement Challenges for engineersManagers are select employees who are entrusted with responsibilities.

external partners to achieve company objectives.customers suppliersN/W partners joint venturesManagement Challenges for engineersEngineering management and LeadershipAccept leadership roles & responsibilitiesInteracting with peer managers in other corporate functionsversed in the use of web based management and tech tools clear visioninnovative and creativeutilizing emerging technologies. Making engineers effective technical contributors

Every engineer reports to a supervisor.Supervisor makes decisionsExposure to functions, concepts, skills and best practices of engg mgt.Likely to take account the resources. Sets project priorities

Management Challenges for engineersEngineering management and Leadership

Value is said to have been added if the company's profitability is derived from

Increased sales revenues new product features, better customer service, etc.

Reduced cost to do business- improved engineering and manufacturing productivity, raised operational efficiency, new collaboration among aligned business partners, simplified product design, better quality control

Management Challenges for engineersReadying engineers to accept managerial responsibilitiesKnowledge is powerThey accumulate experience as they systematically correct their own deficiencies and practice inter personal skillsDecision making Problem solving DelegatingCost accountingStrategic planning Project managementTeam coordinationEngineering managers must be able to leadDynamic market place which is affected by Sophisticated communication toolsWeb based enablersFlexible supply chainsBusiness operations of global proportions

Management Challenges for engineersReadying engineers to accept managerial responsibilitiesWeb based enablersEnhance productivity of product design Project management Plant operations Facility maintenance Innovations Knowledge managementMarketing and salesEnterprise resource planning and integrationProcurements Programs and projects are interdisciplinary and complexManagement practices do change in response to changes in customers needs, employees attitudes, business modes, technologies, organizational structures, resources and external business relations.Managers must be able to lead and manage these changes.

Management Challenges for engineersManagement responsibilitiesManagement group of a company has the overall responsibility of achieving the company's objectives and meeting diverse expectations of its stakeholders. Managers at various levels, from CEO down to first line managersThe stakeholders are groups of people who have a stake in the companys performance.These include shareholders, customers, suppliers, employees and the community in which the company operates.Shareholders return on investment, dividends and earnings per share and increase in stock price over time.Customers quality products, acceptable services and flexibility to accommodate changing needs, efficient delivery and reasonable prices.Suppliers financial stability, market share position, quality production, collaboration efficiency and on time payment.Employees good working conditions, stable employment, and competitive salary and benefitsCommunity environmentally clean, tax contribution, socially responsible, ethically acceptable reputation, and good corporate citizenship.

Management Challenges for engineersType of workWork is the task performed to add value to the company. There are 3 types of workManagement work plan, organize, lead and control - thinkingTechnical work specialized, non management work done by engineering managers doingOperating work management and technical work monitoring and controlling.Chain of commandChain of authority relationships between superiors and subordinatesPrinciple of unity of commandSubordinate reporting to a single supervisorEfficiencyAccomplishment of a given task with the least amount of effortEffectivenessAccomplishment of tasks with efforts that are matching with the value created by these taskManagement Challenges for engineersStrategic and operational (tactical ) decisionsStrategic decisions(managers) which sets the directions for the companyeg. Which new markets to peruse which new products to developoperational decisions(technical contributors) ways to implement a specific task Engineering managers - engineering training and specific technical knowledge and experience and accountable for the resultsPrerequisites to be an effective engineering manager needs to be motivated to acquire knowledge and skillsprepare mentally and be determined to diligently practice the principle of engineering managementCharacteristics of an effective engineering managerrational and organized individual who behaves like a trained professional with regard to ethics, fairness and honor.Management Challenges for engineersEngineering managersResources controlled by engineering managerwho is to do specific taskwhat plant or equipment is to be involvedhow much money to be spentwhich technology is to be appliedwhich business relationships and connections to be invokedNature of 4 dimensional work

Management Challenges for engineersEngineering managersNature of management decisionsmanagers(strategic) what should be done - CEOtechnical contributors how things to be doneWork of engineering managersplan , organize, lead and control people, teams, money, technology, facilities pay attention to problem solving and conflict resolutionsdo not perform technical work but work through peopleEg. related to product development1. use market surveys and customer feedback 2.secure resources to develop the product concepts3.manufacture the products4.offer customer servicesEg2. technology driven 1.invent and develop new technology2.incorporate inventions and innovations in productsManagement Challenges for engineersWork of practicing engineers (TC)Do things correctly and upgrade the ways things are done.Assigned the specific work objectivesExpected to develop the project planSummary of the project to be prepared. Performance is evaluatedHighly technical tasksImportant steps for TCDemonstrate technical competence and innovative capabilitiesPractice people skillsShowing an unfailing reliabilityBe proactiveExhibit readiness for advancementManagement Challenges for engineersEngineering managers and LeadersFoundational skills to manage themselves, staff ,teams, projects, technologies and global issues of importance Innovate to solve problems and minimize conflicts. Cost accounting, financial analysis, managerial finance and marketing management.Acquisition and incorporation of customer feedbackDiscussion on ethics, engineers as leaders, web based management and engineering enablers and e-transformationE-transformation ERP, e-market, enhancing customer service through internet portals, improving logistics through GPS. Function of engineering management Planning Planning is the work done to predetermine a course of action.Planning defines who will do what, how, where, when and with which resources. Planning is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the company by providing focus and direction.Planning is made necessary by a rapid change of A) Technology (web based tools, broadband communications options, mobile access)B) Environment (globalization, competition, marketplace)C) Organization (mergers & acquisitions, networks, outsourcing and alliances)Function of engineering management Types of Planning Strategic planning Operational planningStrategic planningDefine future activities which are worth doing by the unit/company to assure that the company applies its resources(skilled manpower, time, money, physical resources- equipment, facilities, business relationships) effectively to achieve its short term and long term goals. Strategic planning questionsWhat are the companys mission, vision and value system statements?What specific goals(profitability, market share, sales, technology leadership position, global penetration) to accomplish by when, with what investment and which technology?Which new/improved product streams to offer by when(considering product life cycle)?What core technologies to maintain, develop, acquire and/or apply?Which business networks to create?

Function of engineering management Operational planningDefine tasks/events to be accomplished with the least amount of resources within the shortest time, to assure that the company applies its resources efficiently to achieve its short term and long- term goals. Operational planning questions.What is the most efficient way of accomplishing a project/task with known objectives.How to link up with three best suppliers in the marketplace for parts needed?What are the operational guidelines for performing specific work?