How can engineering management training help mechanical engineers become better managers?

Engineers are perceived as individualist, who can innovate on their own and not so great working in a team consist of different departments. Engineering management helps to incorporate the technical skills and management skills together, help individual top performers to become team leaders and mentors. It ensures there’s an understanding of the whole business in order to evaluate which projects make business sense not just technically but as a whole from cost of implementation to operational cost.

For me, mastering active listening and effective coaching is critical as you transition into an engineering management role. These skills, cultivated through training and practice, are indispensable for fostering collaboration, empowering team members, and driving project success

If you are competent with technical the technical skills, the only thing that can kill your initiative is your boss and your boss's boss with unrealistic expectations. I learned engineering management through a program that Sage Hospitality used to do 20+ years ago like this so yes, this type of program will teach you the non technical skills like proper procedures and record keeping as I see very little of that now.

In my experience, the worst hindrance engineering managers and their teams suffer from, is poor communications skills. Great projects will fail if the teams can not talk to each other. Project Management has great modules that can come to the rescue, especially in the Communications area. How do you communicate with your peers, and how do you approach stakeholders? I can not emphasize enough how important good communication is shaping your work and life.

Engineering management training offers mechanical engineers valuable skills and knowledge to excel in managerial roles. It enhances their leadership abilities, business acumen, and project management expertise. With advanced problem-solving skills and interdisciplinary collaboration, they can address complex challenges effectively. Additionally, training instills ethical conduct and promotes continuous learning, ensuring they remain adaptable and innovative leaders in their organizations.

ASEM Engineering Body of Knowledge (EMBOK) has 11 domains that covers a wide array of engineering management topics that will help mechanical engineers become more rounded managers. Domains such as leadership & organizational management, financial resources, project management, supply chain management, quality management systems, systems engineering, legal issues, and professional codes of conduct and ethics.

La gestion de l'ingénierie peut aider les ingénieurs mécaniques à développer des compétences en analyse financière et en gestion des coûts, ce qui est essentiel pour assurer la rentabilité des projets. Ils peuvent également apprendre à élaborer des plans d'affaires et à gérer des projets de manière à maximiser la valeur pour l'entreprise. La formation en gestion de l'ingénierie peut aider les ingénieurs mécaniques à développer des compétences en communication et en négociation, ce qui est crucial pour établir des relations solides avec les parties prenantes et pour obtenir leur soutien dans la réalisation des projets.

If the mechanical engineer is not a born talent ( which most likely is not the case), he/she needs to work continuously to learn and develop skills that will complement their technical knowledge. This is not the only facet that needs to be tended to, Of equal importance are the soft skills. How do you motivate your team to move beyond obstacles? How do you empower them to do the best job possible, and learn and grow in the process? To have the best results, an engineering manager needs also to be supportive of their employees' work/life balance when requirements and expectations are rolling over their heads. The idea is that there is needed for complex training and not a linear/unidimensional approach.

In my experience, engineering management training has brought me many benefits, both personally and professionally. For instance, it has improved my ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with different stakeholders, such as clients, suppliers, colleagues, and senior managers. It has also enhanced my capacity to think strategically and creatively, to solve problems, and to innovate. Moreover, it has increased my career opportunities and prospects, as I can now take on more challenging and rewarding roles and projects.

La formation en gestion de l’ingénierie peut aider les ingénieurs en mécanique à améliorer leurs compétences en communication, en leadership et en prise de décision, ce qui est essentiel pour réussir dans un environnement professionnel de plus en plus compétitif. Ils peuvent également apprendre à gérer efficacement les ressources, les délais et les budgets, tout en assurant la qualité et la sécurité des projets d’ingénierie. La formation en gestion de l’ingénierie peut contribuer à renforcer la réputation et la crédibilité des ingénieurs en mécanique, en démontrant leur capacité à gérer des projets complexes et à prendre des décisions stratégiques.

I remember when I first started my engineering management training, I faced some challenges that I had to overcome. One of them was finding the time and motivation to balance my technical work with my learning activities. Another one was adapting to different styles and expectations of management, as well as to different cultures and contexts. A third one was dealing with the uncertainty and ambiguity that often accompany engineering projects. I learned to cope with these challenges by setting realistic goals, seeking feedback, and embracing change.

Il est essentiel pour les ingénieurs en mécanique de rester à jour avec les dernières avancées technologiques et les tendances du marché, ce qui peut nécessiter une formation continue et un engagement à rester informé. Ils doivent également être capables de communiquer efficacement avec les autres membres de leur équipe, de collaborer sur des projets complexes et de résoudre des problèmes de manière créative et efficace. En ce qui concerne la gestion de projet, les ingénieurs en mécanique doivent être capables de planifier, organiser, diriger et contrôler les activités liées à leurs projets, tout en respectant les délais et les budgets alloués.

Good training is always needed and helpful in creating and maintaining good, efficient engineering managers. In my experience, just training is not enough to develop a good engineering manager, they had to have "the call" for this function, the technical as well as the soft, and people skills needed to excel. It is also very important to see how the company accepts and integrates a new engineering manager in its ranks. How much support does he/she get.

O treinamento em gestao de Engenharia é algo que se aprimora ao longo do tempo. Engenheiros precisam desenvolver uma visão sistêmica capaz de olhar além de sua competência técnica, mas também compreender como as suas atuações podem interferir com a de seus pares e como esta interação pode agregar valor ao negócio que se está inserido. Despir-se as vezes do ego de querer ser o dono da solução e entender que o resultado de uma ação sozinha não é mais importante que o todo

Engineering management training is not a one-time event, but a continuous and lifelong journey. As a mechanical engineer, you need to constantly update and improve your skills and competencies, as the engineering field is dynamic and evolving. You also need to be flexible and adaptable, as each project and team is unique and requires a different approach. For instance, I had to adjust my leadership style and communication methods when I worked with engineers from different cultures and backgrounds. Finally, you need to be humble and open-minded, as you can always learn from others and your own mistakes. Engineering management training is not only a way to become a better manager, but also a better engineer and a better person.

Engineering Management training must consider technology innovation at the speed of AI, a vital component. Our future Managers cannot afford is to lose the opportunity to stay abreast with AI and its trajectory as it relates to Engineering Management today and in the near future. We have to get in "the AI game" early so we are not surprised later.