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Chapter 17
Achieving Effectiveness as an Engineer
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
17-1. Q: How should Fayol’s 1916 “Advice to Future Engineers” be modified to better fit the world 80+
years later?
17-2. Q: Suggest some ways in which newly graduated engineers can “make their mark” in early
assignments on the first job.
17-3. Q: The text urges you to choose your manager carefully. How can you try to accomplish this
practically?
17-4. Q: Someone in an outside group declines to provide the support services you need, despite your
most tactful requests and explanations. What do you do next?
17-5. Q: Outline how the “gig” economy might impact your future career. What steps can you take now
to be ready for those impacts?
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© 2020 Pearson Education, Inc., Hoboken, NJ. All rights reserved. This material is protected under all copyright laws as they currently exist.
No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
17-7. Q: You must meet with your staff of 20 engineers and technicians to introduce them to a demanding
new program they will all be involved in. (a) Discuss how you will prepare for this oral presentation.
(b) What precautions will you take during this talk? (c) Why might you prepare a written
communication in addition to the oral presentation?
17-8. Q: Outline how the use of email and social media impacts the communication aspects of your future
career.
17-9. Q: You have been promoted into managerial work. Outline what steps you can take to stay up to date
in technology.
A: Staying up-to-date requires deliberate effort, since the manager is not working in technology day–
17-10. Q: As the new vice president for R&D in a high technology firm, you are concerned about the
increasing technical obsolescence of your professional staff. Discuss the actions you might take and
the programs you might support to reduce this problem.
A: The section on “Methods of Reducing Obsolescence” emphasizes effort by the individual (who,
after all, must take responsibility for his or her own career). This question encourages students to
think through these ideas from the point of view of how the manager or employer can facilitate and
encourage personal growth of professional staff. Student responses can be grouped in five general
areas:
(1)
Support of continuing education (whether by reimbursing tuition for credit courses, sending
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No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
17-11. Q: Discuss the extent to which professional registration and/or certification is useful in your broad
field of professional interest.
17-12. Q: For a company with which you are familiar, identify any intentional programs to increase the
opportunity for underrepresented groups.
17-13. Q: The “dual career ladder” concept was developed to offer technical professionals an equal
alternative to a management career, but often proves less successful than hoped. Why do you think
this is so?
A: This question may lead to discussion. Badawy [Developing Managerial Skills in Engineers and
Scientists (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, Inc., 1982), p. 46] suggests the following:
17-14. Q: You are an experienced engineering manager in a growing organization, have just selected
several capable engineers for promotion to their first management positions, and are responsible for
guiding their growth into their new responsibilities. (a) What are some of the skills your new
managers will need to acquire, and (b) what advice will you give them about the new problems they
will face?
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© 2020 Pearson Education, Inc., Hoboken, NJ. All rights reserved. This material is protected under all copyright laws as they currently exist.
No portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
17-15. Q: In what ways are master’s programs in business administration (M.BA) or in engineering
management deficient as preparation for a management position?
17-16. Q: Identify the top several “time wasters” in your life (from the “top 10” in the chapter and any
others you identify). What might you do to reduce their effect?
17-17. Q: Estimate how your personal energy level varies throughout the day. How might you use this
information in planning your activities?