Naga College Foundation

College of Engineering

Module for 50FLEX Learning

Course Title: CE 214 Engineering Management Module No. 1
Credit Unit 2 units (Lecture) Period: Preliminary Period
Professor: Engr. Francisco G. Naval C.E./Assistant Professor I

1. THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ENGINEER

Since prehistoric times, mankind has benefited from the various tools, equipment and projects developed
by engineers. Among these are the following:
1.) the stone bladed axe which was very useful tool; and the irrigation system used to promote crop
growing—6000 to 3000 B.C.;
2.) the pyramid of Egypt—3000 to 600 B.C.;
3.) road building by the Romans—600 B.C. to A.D. 400;
4.) the production of paper and gunpowder by the Chinese—100 A.D to 1600 A.D,;
5.) the production of steam engine and the spinning and the weaving machinery—1601 A.D. to 1799 A.D.
;
6.) the manufacture of cars and household appliances—modern times.

A listing of all useful tools, equipment, and projects developed and produced by engineers will be
sufficient to produce volumes of books. These contributions indicate that engineers have an indispensable
segment of the world’s professions. This expectation will continue for a long time.

Even as engineers are currently producing solutions to many of difficulties faced by mankind, much is still
expected of them. Their outputs, new or improvements of old ones are very much needed in the following
specific problem concerns:
1.) the production of more food for
a fast growing world population;
2.) the elimination of air and water pollution;
3.) solid waste disposal and materials recycling;
4.) the reduction of noise in various forms;
5.) supplying the increasing demand for energy;
6.) supplying the increasing demand for mobility;
7.) preventing and resolving 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 nature and codifying this
knowledge into usable theories.

2.) Design and Development- where the engineers undertake the activity of turning the product concept to
a finish physical item. Design for manufacturability and value engineering teams (a feature of some
companies) are charged with improvements of designs and specifications at the research,
development, design, and production stages of product development.

3.) Testing- where the engineers work in a unit where new products or parts are tested for work-ability.

4.) Manufacturing- where the engineers are directly in charge of production personnel or assume
responsibility for the product.

5.) Construction- this is where the construction engineer (a civil engineer) is either directly in charge of the
construction personnel or may have responsibility for the quality of construction process.
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6.) Sales- where the engineer assists the company’s customers to meet their needs, especially those who
require technical expertise.

7.) Consulting- where the engineer works as consultant of any individual or organization requiring his
services.

8.) Government- where the engineer may find employment in the government performing any of the
various task in regulating, monitoring, and controlling the activities of various institutions, public or
private.

9.) Teaching- where the engineers get employment in a school and are assigned as a teacher of
engineering courses. Some of them later become deans, vice presidents, and presidents.

10.) Management – where the engineer is assigned to manage group of people performing specific task.

THE PROCESS OF MANAGEMENT

Management is a process consisting of

planning, organizing, directing (or leading), and
controlling.

Explained in a simple manner, management

must seek to find out the objectives of the
organization, think of ways on how to achieve them,
decide on the ways to be adapted and the material
resources to be used, determine the human
requirements of the total job, assign specific tasks to
specific persons, motivate them, and provide means
to make sure that the activities are in the right
direction.

The specific activities in the management process are discussed more thoroughly in the succeeding
chapters.

HOW ONE MAY BECOME A SUCCESSFUL ENGINEER MANAGER

Successful engineer manager do not happen as matter of chance, although luck is a contributory factor.
It is very important for the engineer manager to know the various factors leading to successful management.

Kreithner indicates at least three general preconditions for achieving lasting success as a manager. They
are as follows:

1.) ability
2.) motivation to manage, and
3.) opportunity

Ability
Managerial refers to the capacity of an engineer manager to achieve organizational objectives effectively
and efficiently.

Effectiveness, according to Higgins, refers to a description of “whether objectives are accomplished”,

while efficiency is a description relative amount of resources used in obtaining effectiveness”.
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To illustrate:

If a civil engineer was asked by his superiors to finish a 100-kilometer road cementing project within
eight months, he is said to be effective if he finished the job within the required period. On the other hand, his
efficiency is measured by inputs (labor and materials) he poured into the project in relation to the actual
output (the 100-kilometer road). If the same output is made with fewer inputs, the more efficient the civil
engineer may become.

Motivation to Manage
Many people have the desire to work and finish specific tasks assigned by superiors, but not many are
motivated to manage other people so that they may contribute to the realization of the organization’s
objectives.
A management researcher, John B. Miner, developed a psychometric instrument to measure
objectively an individual’s motivation to management. The test is anchored to the following dimensions:
1.) Favorable attitude to those in positions of authority, such as superiors.
2.) Desire to engage in games or sports competition with peers.
3.) Desire to engage in occupational or work-related competition with peers.
4.) Desire to assert oneself and take charge.
5.) Desire to exercise power and authority over others.
6.) Desire to behave in a distinctive way, which includes standing out from the crowd.
7.) Sense of responsibility in carrying out the routine duties associated with managerial work.

High scores in the foregoing dimensions are associated with high motivation to manage.
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Opportunity

Successful managers become possible only if those having the ability and motivation are given the
opportunity to manage. The opportunity for successful management has two requirements:
1.) Obtaining a suitable managerial job, and
2.) Finding a supportive climate once on the job.

Newspaper advertisements abound with needs for engineer managers. It is as little difficult to determine
if the firms requiring their services provide a supportive climate for effective and efficient management. A
supportive climate is characterized by the recognition of managerial talent though financial and non-financial
rewards.

SUMMARY

Engineers are known for their great contributions to the development of the world’s civilization. There
are many areas where their presence is necessary like research, design and development, testing,
manufacturing, construction, sales, consulting, government, teaching, and management.
Engineers may be found contributing their share in various levels of organization.
Engineering activities need to be managed and engineers are sometimes placed in positions where they
have to learn management skills.
Management is concerned with planning, organizing, leading, and controlling an organization’s resources
to achieve its mission and objectives.
There are certain qualifications required of the engineer manager.
One may become a successful engineer manager if the preconditions of ability, motivation to manage,
and opportunity to manage are met.

ASSIGNMENT FOR REPORTING

1. Make a research and list one (1) engineer who became president or general manager of a
company or director of any government agency. Write down the name, profession as
engineer, short biography of success and the company; and

2. Make a research and list one (1) engineer who is a manager of the department of a
company or director of any government agency. Write down the name, profession as
engineer, short biography of success and the company.

3. Submit this Assignment and Report in Class as Scheduled.