Formal Theories of Engineering Management

Abstract

What is the key underpinning factor that determines the efficiency of group work? How does human group provide a mechanism for enabling the exchange between labor and time? This paper presents a coordinative work organization theory for explaining the fundamental mechanisms of engineering organization and management. The coordinative work organization theory is derived based on analyzing the nature of group workload and the exchange mechanisms between labor and time in team work. The human error mechanisms in task performance in groups are explored in order to develop a formal quality assurance theory in engineering management. Applications of the formal engineering organization theory have been demonstrated in efficient engineering project organization and optimization in supplement to traditional empirical practices in engineering management.