TECHNICAL PAPERS
Mar 14, 2003

Framework for Undergraduate Engineering Management Studies

Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 129, Issue 2

Abstract

The importance of management to the long-term careers of practicing professional engineers has long been recognized. Undergraduate engineering education should therefore provide an exposure to the management skills required by engineers in professional practice. For the rational and effective design of undergraduate engineering management studies, it is essential to understand the nature of engineering management and to identify those management skills identified as important by practicing professional engineers. Through an investigation of the recent literature, the management skills considered important by engineering stakeholder groups are identified and ranked. This information is supplemented by recent surveys conducted by the author of stakeholders in Australia, including academic staff, mature age undergraduate students, and recent graduates of the engineering programs at Deakin University in Australia. Based on an examination of the literature and original research, a framework of ranked classified management skills is proposed. Broadly, the ranking framework is generic professional skills first, followed by general management skills and technical discipline specific management skills, followed by other professional discipline skills and theoretical skills.

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Go to Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 129Issue 2April 2003
Pages: 92 - 99

History

Received: May 15, 2001
Accepted: May 16, 2002
Published online: Mar 14, 2003
Published in print: Apr 2003

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Stuart R. Palmer
Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering and Technology, Deakin Univ., Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia.

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