Here’s a clean and readable note summarizing Week 1 of GET 501 – Engineering
Management:
🧠 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
1. Understand the relevance of management to engineering practice.
2. Explain core managerial functions, roles, and skills.
3. Interpret organizational principles and objectives using examples.
4. Select suitable financial, personnel, and resource management methods.
5. Analyze economic and asset valuation methods, including depreciation.
6. Describe the planning, directing, and controlling of production operations.
7. Apply motion economy, work study, and ergonomics in engineering designs.
8. Use technology and analysis to improve practices in engineering organizations.
9. Identify ethical issues in assessing environmental factors like noise and RSPM.
10. Analyze financial statements of engineering enterprises.
🔧 What is Engineering Management?
A discipline that merges technical knowledge with leadership and business skills to
supports decision-making with technical and economic analysis.
🔍 CLO 1: Relevance of Management to Engineers
Key Points:
1. Project Execution & Efficiency – Ensures timely and cost-effective project delivery.
2. Leadership & Teamwork – Helps engineers work effectively in teams and lead.
3. Innovation & Strategic Decision-Making – Helps in resource allocation, risk
assessment, and implementing new ideas.
🔄 CLO 2: Managerial Functions (Fayol’s 4 Functions)
1. Planning – Define goals, strategies, and resources.
2. Organizing – Allocate tasks and resources.
3. Leading – Motivate and guide the team.
4. Controlling – Monitor performance and make adjustments.
👥 Managerial Roles (Mintzberg’s Roles)
Interpersonal – Leader & motivator (e.g., mentoring).
Informational – Monitor (e.g., data analysis).
Decisional – Resource allocator & disturbance handler.
🧩 Managerial Skills (Katz’s Types +)
1. Technical Skills – Engineering tools and methods.
2. Conceptual Skills – Problem-solving and systems thinking.
3. Human Skills – Teamwork and communication.
4. Decision-Making Skills – Evaluating options for strategic choices.
⚖️Balancing Objectives
Business Goals Engineering Goals
Cost, Time, Regulations Efficiency, Accuracy, Strength
👉 Engineers must balance technical excellence with business sustainability.
🏢 What is an Organization?
A group of people working toward a common goal.
Types:
o By structure: Flat, Matrix, Divisional, Product-based, Multidivisional
o By objective: For-profit, Non-profit
o By ownership: Private, Public, Governmental
o By Growth Stage: Startups, Mature firms
🧭 Principles of Management in Organizations (Henri
Fayol’s Framework)
1. Division of Labor – Specialization increases productivity.
2. Remuneration – Fair pay improves satisfaction.
3. Authority & Responsibility – Balance of power and accountability.
4. Discipline – Compliance with rules and conduct.
5. Unity of Command – One boss per employee.
6. Unity of Direction – One goal per team.
7. Scalar Chain – Clear hierarchy from top to bottom.
8. Centralization/Decentralization – Decision-making power can be concentrated or
distributed.
Additional: 9. Order – Organized workspace = efficiency. 10. Stability of Tenure – Low
turnover = organizational stability. 11. Equity – Fairness and kindness from leaders. 12.
Initiative – Encourage employee creativity. 13. Subordination of Individual Interest –
Group > Personal interests. 14. Espirit de Corps – Team spirit and unity.
🏢 Elements of an Organization
1. People – Talent is the most vital asset (e.g. Engineers, CAD Modelers, Programmers).
2. Structure – How teams are arranged: Functional, Divisional, Matrix, etc.
3. Culture – Shared values and practices (e.g. dress code, use of first names).
4. Technology – Systems like ERP (e.g., Oracle, AutoCAD).
5. Environment – External factors: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal,
Environmental (PESTLE).
🔗 Value Chain Model (Porter)
Visualizes how each part of an organization adds value.
Helps align operations with strategy and customer needs.
📚 Assignment
1. Pick two organizations:
o Write their vision and mission statements (with links).
o State their ownership type and whether they’re for-profit/non-profit.
2. Describe 3 principles of organization in your own words.
3. Describe 3 types of organizational structure.
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