KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

School Of Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS
ENGINEERING

Engineering Management
Individual Assignment

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

Abhinash Jha (41037) Bikash Karna

Date:- 21nd September 2023

 Individual Assignment-II
1. Discuss how engineers can play a significant role in driving innovation that will
benefit customers and increase profits for the any organization?
➢ Engineers are like the architects and builders of the technology world. They can make
a huge impact on a company's success by driving innovation that benefits customers
and boosts profits. Here's how they plays a significant role are:
i. Problem Solvers: Engineers are excellent problem solvers. They identify
challenges that customers face and find clever ways to solve them. This makes
customers happier because their needs are met.
ii. New Ideas and Products: Engineers come up with new ideas for products or
improvements to existing ones. These fresh innovations can attract more
customers who want the latest and greatest offerings.
iii. Efficiency Improvements: Engineers can streamline processes and make
things work faster and better. This saves the company money and time, leading
to increased profits.
iv. Cost Reduction: They figure out how to make products cheaper without
sacrificing quality. This means the company can either reduce prices for
customers or increase its profit margin.
v. Quality Assurance: Engineers ensure that products meet high-quality
standards. Customers trust products that work well and last, which leads to
repeat business.
vi. Technology Integration: They bring in the latest technology trends, like
automation or artificial intelligence, to make products smarter and more
efficient. This often leads to increased customer satisfaction and cost savings.
vii. Feedback Loop: Engineers gather feedback from customers and use it to
improve products continually. This helps in making products that customers
love and are willing to pay for.

2. In an organization, you have been hired as technical lead with subordinates

reporting to you. Among them two members are senior in age and also have
more working experience than you.
(I) What potential conflicts would it occur with subordinate mentioned above?
(II) What leadership and Motivation strategy would you apply to mitigate
destructive conflict and what best way would it be to handle such team
member? Justify with examples.
➢ The potential conflicts would it occur with subordinate mentioned above are :
i. Respect and Authority: The senior team members may feel that they deserve
more respect and authority due to their age and experience. This could lead to
conflicts if they challenge your leadership or decision-making.

ii. Differing Work Styles: The seniors may have established work habits and
methods that differ from your leadership style or the organization's current
practices. These differences could result in clashes over how tasks should be
carried out.
iii. Communication Issues: Miscommunication can arise if there are generational
or experience-based gaps in understanding and interpreting information,
expectations, or instructions.
iv. Perceived Favoritism: Other team members may perceive favoritism if they
believe you're giving more attention or responsibilities to the senior team
members.
➢ The leadership and motivation strategy would I apply to mitigate destructive conflict
and the best way would it be to handle such member are given below:
i. Respect and Inclusion: Emphasize that every team member's input is valued
and respected, regardless of age or experience. Encourage open dialogue and
create an inclusive environment where all voices are heard.
ii. Clarify Roles and Expectations: Clearly define each team member's roles
and responsibilities, making it clear that leadership positions are based on
skills and merit, not just age or experience.
iii. Mentoring and Learning: Encourage knowledge sharing and mutual learning
between team members. Seniors can mentor juniors, and juniors can bring
fresh ideas and skills to the table.
iv. Recognition and Rewards: Recognize and reward team members based on
their contributions and performance rather than age or seniority. This helps
prevent perceived favoritism.
v. Conflict Resolution: Implement a conflict resolution process that addresses
issues constructively and objectively. Encourage team members to raise
concerns and provide a fair platform for resolving conflicts.

3. Write down the difference between Power and Authority with examples to
justify your answers?
➢ The difference between power and Authority are given in the table below:
Aspect Power Authority
Definition The ability to influence or control The legitimate or rightful right to
others behavior, decisions, or make decisions, give orders, or
actions, often through force or exercise control based on a
coercion. recognized position or role.
Source Can be derived from various Usually conferred by a formal
sources, including personal traits, position or hierarchy within an
resources, expertise, charisma, or organization, government, or
physical force. society.
Legitimacy May or may not be legitimate; it Typically considered legitimate
depends on the context and as it is granted by an established
whether it is accepted or authority structure or system.
challenged by others.
Control Power does not always imply Authority implies control and the
control, as it can be contested or right to make decisions within a
challenged by others. specific domain or scope.
Example A wealthy individual using A government official making
financial resources to influence decisions and giving orders
government policies. within their designated role.
Nature of Power can be used for both Authority is expected to be
influence positive and negative purposes; it exercised responsibly and in the
can be constructive or destructive. best interest of the organization
or society.
Duration Power can be transient and may Authority is typically more stable
change hands frequently. and enduring, tied to a specific
position or role.
Examples to justify the differences are:
i. Power Example: A wealthy business magnate using their financial resources to
lobby for favorable tax policies. In this case, the individual is exerting power over
government decisions through their financial influence, but this power may not be
officially sanctioned or legitimate.
ii. Authority Example: The President of a country issuing an executive order. The
President has the authority to make such decisions based on their elected position,
and these decisions are generally considered legitimate and binding within the
country's legal framework.
4. Sales of a particular product (in thousands of dollars) for the years 2009 through
2012 have been $48,000, $64,000, and $83,000, respectively.
(a) What sales would you predict for 2013, using a simple four-year moving
average?
(b) What sales would you predict for 2013, using a weighted moving average
with weights of 0.50 for the immediately preceding year and 0.3, 0.15, and 0.05
for the three years before that?
5. Identify the Product that is technologically innovative and has made huge
profits for its company.
➢ One of the most technologically innovative products that has generated enormous
profits for its company is the iPhone by Apple.
In simple terms, the iPhone is a highly advanced and user-friendly smartphone that
combines various technologies like touchscreens, powerful processors, high-quality
cameras, and a vast ecosystem of apps. It revolutionized how people communicate,
work, play, and access information.
Apple's iPhone has been a massive success due to its cutting-edge features, sleek
design, and the way it seamlessly integrates with other Apple products and services.
Its popularity has led to tremendous profits for Apple, making it one of the most
profitable tech products in history.

6. Identify the Product/Technology (Communication or Power prospect) which

you believe is in saturation phase. With few fine tunings and added features or
innovation the product/technology can again gain its momentum.
Now using Double-S-Curve please explain in detail how you can help
organization to regain its place and be profitable?
➢ One product/technology that appears to be in the saturation phase is the traditional
gas-powered automobile. To regain momentum and profitability in this industry,
organizations can employ the Double-S-Curve model, which involves rejuvenation
through incremental innovation, followed by disruptive innovation. Here's a detailed
explanation of how this can be applied:
A. Phase 1: Incremental Innovation (First S-Curve)
i. Fine Tunings and Added Features: Initially, the organization can focus on
incremental improvements to the existing gas-powered cars. This may involve
enhancing fuel efficiency, safety features, interior comfort, and entertainment
systems. These improvements can make the product more appealing to consumers
without radical changes.
Example: Toyota's continuous improvement of hybrid technology, resulting in
greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
ii. Market Segmentation: Identify specific market segments that may still have unmet
needs or preferences. Develop variations of the product tailored to these segments.
For instance, create electric-gas hybrid models or high-performance variants to
cater to different customer preferences.
Example: Tesla offering multiple variants of its electric cars, targeting various
market segments.
iii. Customer Engagement: Engage with customers to gather feedback and insights.
Use this information to guide product enhancements. Actively involve customers
in the co-creation of features, ensuring that the product aligns with their evolving
expectations.
Example: Ford using online forums and social media to gather customer feedback
and ideas for improving their vehicles.
B. Phase 2: Disruptive Innovation (Second S-Curve)
i. Electric and Autonomous Vehicles: To disrupt the traditional gas-powered car
market, invest heavily in electric and autonomous vehicle technologies. Electric
vehicles (EVs) are the future due to their environmental benefits and performance
advantages. Autonomous driving capabilities are also poised to transform the
industry.
Example: Tesla's electric vehicles and their development of autonomous driving
capabilities.
ii. Infrastructure Development: Collaborate with governments and other
stakeholders to build EV charging infrastructure. This addresses the "range
anxiety" barrier to EV adoption and makes electric vehicles more practical for
consumers.
Example: Volkswagen's investments in charging infrastructure through their
subsidiary Electrify America.
iii. Mobility as a Service (MaaS): Shift from selling individual cars to providing
mobility as a service. Develop platforms that offer ridesharing, car-sharing, and
other transportation solutions. This aligns with changing consumer preferences
for access over ownership.
Example: Uber and Lyft transitioning from ridesharing platforms to mobility
service providers with various transportation options.
iv. Sustainability Focus: Emphasize sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Market EVs not only for their performance but also for their contribution to
reducing carbon emissions. Highlight the benefits of renewable energy and
cleaner transportation.
v. Example: Volvo's commitment to becoming a carbon-neutral car manufacturer
and emphasizing sustainability in its marketing.