Management of Engineers and Technology
Managing TradeoffsTime Management
Principle 5: Using Assets Wisely
Making decisions based on organizational goals
Applying resources to maximize profit Managing time and priorities Understanding motivation Managing stress and balancing life
Managing Tradeoffs
Decisiveness is an important part of management and leadership
Most decisions involve tradeoffs Managers must facilitate group
decision making (consensus) Management decisions are less clear
than technical ones
Decision Criteria
Review: Values and beliefs Vision/Mission/Goals/Objectives
Then: Generate list of attributes Prioritize the attributes
Needs (required) Wants (desired)
Some Common Tradeoffs
Performance/reliability Power/weight Flexibility/productivity Throughput/quality Benefit/Cost
Benefit/Cost Tradeoffs
Fixed benefit Minimize cost
Fixed cost Maximize benefit
Variable benefit/variable cost Maximize the B/C ratio Can it be measured?
Mutual Exclusivity
Choose one of two or more alternatives
Vendor proposals Contractor bids Design approaches Job applicants
Never a Perfect Fit
Each alternative has strengths and weaknesses
Each may address the objectives in a different way
Can’t mix and match features
New Faculty Member
MSEM and BSIE Programs Duties
Teaching Research Service
Qualifications Required Desired
Themes
Managers make decisions Management decisions are less
clear than technical decisions The “right” decision often
involves compromise
Time Management
Time is a fixed commodity With fixed input, we must maximize
output “Time management” is actually
managing yourself Prioritize productive activities Minimize non-productive activities
Increase productivity, reduce stress
Review your goals List your unfinished tasks Prioritize your tasks based on your goals Attack tasks in priority order
Time Management Process
A - Must do as soon as possible Safety, environment, production
B - Must do, but can be scheduled Prioritize by
Due date Impact on operations Importance to goals
C - Would be nice to do if I had the time
Priority Levels
Franklin System Day-timers Calendars (daily, weekly, monthly) PDA’s Ryan’s System
Reminder calendar First things first (daily list) Avoid time wasters (just say “NO”)
Time Management Systems
Meetings Telephone/pager/radio Sales people Visitors Crises
Time Wasters:Interruptions
Time Wasters:Information Problems
Not enough information Inaccurate information Unclear how to obtain information
Time Wasters:Lack of self-discipline
No delegation Working on low-priority tasks Leaving tasks unfinished Procrastination Indecision
Suggestions Find an effective system and USE IT Limit involvement in time-wasting
activities Use e-mail Delegate what you can Handle each piece of paper ONCE Consider your personal cycle Give yourself some breathing room
Accomplish something as a group Purposes
Sharing information Securing cooperation Making decisions
Meetings
Written focused agenda Finalize Include durations Follow
One hour or less Fewer than 10 people Visual aids and/or handouts if
appropriate Give people the chance to prepare
Effective Meetings:Group Time Management
Before the Meeting Ends
Identify follow-up tasks Who Does what By when
Schedule next meeting Distribute minutes
Now Soon afterward
Summary You can’t make more time, so you
must use it wisely Actions and priorities should align Meetings are group time management Effective time management will
Improve productivity Reduce stress Lead to more free time