The World of Engineering Management

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated 200 hours

Admission into one of the following streams of the MC-ENG Master of Engineering:

Master of Engineering (Chemical with Business), Master of Engineering (Civil with Business), Master of Engineering (Mechanical with Business), Master of Engineering (Electrical with Business), Master of Engineering (Software with Business)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

AIMS

This subject examines the structure and basic building blocks of high performing organisations from a senior management perspective. It covers tools and techniques to conduct both an analysis of the external environment and the strategies to align the appropriate internal skills and capabilities.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

The subject includes:

• The role of leadership in strategy formulation and its balance with execution
• Overcoming the barriers to implementation of strategic plans
• Business integration and managing technology
• Entrepreneurship in modern business.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

1. Summarise the frameworks and concepts commonly used to analyse an organisation’s external environment and to build the corresponding internal resources and capabilities
2. Appreciate the fundamental issues involved with integrating and coordinating activities in different organisational structures
3. Articulate the leadership and management role of the engineer in technology based enterprises
4. Summarise the characteristics of long term high performing organisations
5. Present options for effective negotiation and conflict resolution
6. Develop, or improve, team-work skills.

• One individual case analysis of no more than 2000 words (20%). Time commitment of approximately 25-30 hours. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO’s) 1 to 5 are addressed in the case analysis. Due weeks 2 – 8
• One group assignment of no more than 4000 words (30%). Time commitment of approximately 35-40 hours. ILO’s 1 to 6 are addressed in the group assignment. Due weeks 7 – 12
• Individual participation throughout semester (10%). Addresses ILO’s 1 to 4. Assessed throughout the teaching period within semester
• Three hour exam (40%). ILO’s 1 to 5 are addressed in the exam. Held during the end-of-semester exam period.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Understand the nature of general management, the role of the leader in organisational development and the dynamics that underpin effective leadership and how engineering can influence and be influenced by these principles
• Appreciate the importance of both technical and social issues including people management, teamwork and negotiation and conflict resolution and their relevance in an engineering context
• Articulate the roles and attributes of leadership and teams in negotiating change and how to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment
• Understand how functional management disciplines can be integrated into processes and projects in organisations
• Appreciate current ideas and models of change management and continuous improvement.

LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS

The subject is delivered through lectures, tutorials, case studies and workshop sessions.

INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES

Students are provided with lecture slides, case studies, tutorial materials and solutions.

CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS

Insights into the generic skills required of engineering graduates working as engineers and managers in government and oganisations from all industry sectors.