Term Paper Requirements

IE 492 Engineering Management

The Purpose of this term paper is to: 

(1)     Familiarize the student with some of the issues of interest to engineering managers as discussed in the current literature.

(2)     Enable a first hand observation of their work activities 

(3)     Facilitate the application of the material studied in the course.   This can be done in the context of the student’s concentration. 

1.        A two (2) page write up and critique for each of two (2) articles dealing with some aspect of engineering/project management.   The articles are to come from magazines/journals preferably relating to your major in the NJIT Library.

      The student should be prepared to present the essence of the articles to the class in a 5-minute presentation after the 9^th week of the course. 

2.        Visit an engineering ( technical) manager and interview him/her to find out: 

1. What their major job responsibilities are on a typical day?
2. What they consider the most difficult part of their job?
3. What do they like best about their work?
4. How they got into their management position including their opinion with respect to the attributes required to being a successful manager.
5. Any advice they might have for a student aspiring to go into management.
6. In what way is he/she being affected by the global economy and need for a multi disciplinary perspective?
7. Use of the computer/internet.
8. Any other comments made.

This should be written up in as much detail as possible.  Preferably this visit will have been arranged for and completed by the end of the 10^th week. Should you have difficulty in obtaining an interview contact the instructor.

3.        Select one of the following  alternatives 

1. Make an economic evaluation of a proposed capital investment.   Should be one using spreadsheet.  With this format consider how sensitive your decision is to 20% error in two of the assumptions you made.  The sales revenue, cost projections, etc.)
2. Utilization of project management concepts to plan a project of your choice.  Should be one where you understand all work activities and the sequences that are performed. For example, could be a webpage, a career fare for students, a departmental seminar, maintenance or renovation project, or preferable would be a substantial project that could be done by two students.
3. Other topics that relate to engineering management (i.e.) motivation/retention/updating of technical personnel, bidding strategies, technical product development, etc.

Student should obtain instructor approval of their topic choice before proceeding. 

4.        Microsoft project software utilization assignment. 

The term paper is considered an important component of this course.  It will be counted at the minimum as the equivalent of one examination and graded on the basis of its thoroughness, completeness and clarity of presentation.   Each of the points noted must be addressed.  Before submission the paper should be checked for spelling and grammatical errors and done on a word processor.  This report is due the 14^th week of the semester.  Lateness will result in a reduction of the grade. 

To avoid an unsatisfactory submission the student is strongly urged to consult with his instructor prior to beginning this assignment should any of the requirements be unclear to him/her.  Previous experience has shown that students wait too long before starting on the term project. (I.e. two weeks before it is due) with the result that time does not permit quality effort and a resultant, lower grade than they are capable of achieving.   The work itself has never been found too hard but by students interested in the subject matter beneficial.  It is therefore strongly urged that the paper is started early and the principles of project management taught in the course are applied here by you.

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