Abstract
M.Phil. (Engineering Management)
Today’s technical challenges are seldom solved by an individual. A team of people
usually get involved when new products, processes, organizational structures or
technologies are developed, tested and subsequently maintained. Such teams
comprise of engineers, technologists and project managers and their roles being to
direct others, control, plan, administer and manage these technologies.
Engineering managers have become the pillars of most organizations, which are
using sophisticated equipment to produce high-technology products. The ability of
companies to generate new business has become increasingly dependent on
technical knowledge. Implicitly, people with both technical knowledge and managerial
skills with the capability to think strategically about the technology and business
goals are required.
There are several reasons why engineers and technologists should be effective in
the general management of technical orientated business. In such organizations,
efficient planning is required to ensure that the organizational objectives are met. The
other reason for the engineers and technologists to have management skills is that,
they are typically people who employ technical personnel. Therefore they need to
understand and follow the human resource management process, for them to
effectively evaluate these candidates. Other than that, engineers play a role in
financial decision making for their organizations, marketing and other nonengineering
departments.
Engineers and Technologists at all levels must be adept in business realities,
developing large scale engineering systems, and working with other people. These
factors depict the reality of contemporary organizations, thus the management
training of these technical people will ensure effectiveness in their leadership style.
This mini dissertation will emphasize the need to equip technical people with
management..Further, it will briefly discuss the management functions that engineers
and technologist assume at different organizations.