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