A training curriculum in collaboration for engineering management

Abstract

The core functions of engineering management involve forecasting and planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, controlling, communicating and motivating. Underlying to an effective and efficient realization of such so- called processing elements of management is the notion of collaboration. Collaboration is the process of shared creation through which a group of entities enhances capabilities of each other. Thus, mastering collaboration in its many forms is key for the engineer manager successful professional engagement. Collaboration, enabled by technology, can be seen at least in two dimensions: Interoperability, for businesses to work together seamlessly, by enabling interactions with each other across enterprise boundaries; and Collaborative Working, for ensuring that employees have at their fingertips the information, applications, services needed for team-work. By combining both, the first capturing the systems perspective and former addressing human interaction aspects, one is able to grasp the competences and skills of Collaboration. This paper presents a dynamic curriculum for advanced training on Collaboration, by integrating Interoperability and Collaborative Working paradigms, organized in three training curricula following the typical career path of engineers. Equipped with such abilities, supported by traditional components of management, professionals can drive improved management of engineering and engineering processes leading to efficiency, differentiation and innovation towards growth.