Engineering management programs as aids in moving from technical specialty to technical management

Abstract

Engineers are making the transition from technical specialty to technical management very early in their careers. This transition is gaining an ever increasing importance as the rapidly changing technologies, the severe resource constraints and the strong pressures for high productivity bring engineering and the management of engineering into a sharply focused limelight. As engineers prepare for this transition, they feel the need for a special type of training to provide them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes for their new roles. Engineering education gives them the tools, techniques and concepts for rational decision making in their technical specialties, but does not prepare them to extend their training into the management area. To bridge this gap, universities are now offering formal educational programs designed for engineers and scientists moving into technical management positions while maintaining their background identity. These are rigorous programs blending mathematical approaches, behavioral considerations, organizational concepts and decision-making methodologies in a delicate balance. The strong demand for the Engineering Management programs is evident in the rapid growth pattern followed by these programs. This growth has been particularly visible since the mid-1970s, and shows no sign of a slow-down. This paper is based on a study of the graduate programs in Engineering Management offered throughout the world. It is a comparative analysis of program characteristics, students, faculty and curricula.