Engineering Management Institute

UPCOMING TRAINING

engineering leader

TECC 225: How Project Management Skills Contribute to Your Overall Success as an Engineering Leader

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Project Management SkillsIn this episode, I talk to Christian Knutson, CEng, P.E., PgMP, F. SAME, who has co-hosted this podcast in the past and now serves as the Europe Program Manager for Stanley Consultants. He is responsible for managing and coordinating Stanley Consultants’ activities in the U.K. and Europe as well as providing program/project management delivery and master planning solutions for clients in the U.K. and Europe. In this episode, which is part of a series we are publishing focused around the four key drivers of engineering managers, we talk about the third key driver: the ability to manage projects. Chris talks about the fundamentals of project management and how project management skills can help you to become a great engineering manager.

Engineering Quotes:

Project Management Skills

Project Management Skills

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Project Management Skills:

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TCEP 109: Construction Engineering – Communication in Negotiated Bid Contracts

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Construction EngineeringIn episode 109 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Nils Gransberg, MS on topics related to Construction Engineering. Nils also tells us about the research he is conducting into negotiated bid contracts, and about his military background and experience.

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some of the questions I ask Nils:

  • Tell us more about the discipline of Construction Engineering?
  • Why did you decide to get your PhD?
  • Tell us about your research on negotiated bid contract delivery in public projects?
  • Can you talk about what it was like being a civil engineer in the military?

Here are some key points discussed in this episode about construction engineering:

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TECC 173: Five Levels of Leadership to Help You Become a Powerful Engineering Leader

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Powerful Engineering Leader

In this episode, I talk with Chris Goede from the John Maxwell Company about leadership. Chris explains the 5 Levels of Leadership model and gives some great strategies for becoming a very powerful engineering leader.

Engineering Quotes:

Powerful Engineering Leader

Powerful Engineering Leader

Here are some of the key points discussed on becoming a powerful engineering leader.

[Read more…] about TECC 173: Five Levels of Leadership to Help You Become a Powerful Engineering Leader

Learn about Project Management to Enhance Your Engineering Career

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Project ManagementWhether you want to become a project manager or not, you’ll be running a project at some point in your life and in one of your capacities.  It might be in the role you hold at your firm, or in the role you occupy in a technical or professional organization, or even a role you fill in a community group.  The point is, many of activities we undertake are projects.  That is, they are what Project Management International (PMI) defines as a, temporary in that it has a defined beginning and end in time, and therefore defined scope and resources.  A project is unique in that it is not a routine operation, but a specific set of operations designed to accomplish a singular goal.


So the question is, do you want to approach your management of these projects in life half-assed, or with a framework that will make your management of the project more efficient?

Before I dive into one possible answer to this question (the option I’ll suggest is one worth following!), I’m not advocating earning a credential, certificate or degree in project management.  I don’t believe a practicing engineering professional must earn one of these to be proficient in applying project management concepts to efficiently bring about intended benefits to the customers and clients they serve.  What I do believe, is that one cannot leave development of a methodology of project management to on-the-job training or simple observation.

Learning about project management by osmosis might make you proficient, however, I doubt it.  Relying on casual observation to learn, internalize, and then apply knowledge in a fashion that enhances ones proficiency in any topic is a path that’s fraught with long lead-time.  Simply put, you’re going to get a better return on investment of time if you actively study project management methodology and know the basic concepts.

So how is knowing project management concepts going to make you a better engineer?

[Read more…] about Learn about Project Management to Enhance Your Engineering Career

2 Steps for Leading Through Accountability in Your Engineering Career

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engineering leader

What is accountability and why is in important in becoming a strong engineering leader?

Webster dictionary defines accountability as an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions.

Let’s investigate both sides of this definition:

#1 Take Responsibility on Your Engineering Projects

If you want to become a strong engineering leader, you must take responsibility in your career.   [Read more…] about 2 Steps for Leading Through Accountability in Your Engineering Career

TECC 70: Developing the Engineering Leader Inside of You – EYOS 7 of 7 – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast

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engineering leadership

In this session of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast, I am going talk about leadership and how you can improve your leadership skills as an engineer regardless of your current position or experience level.

This episode is the seventh part in the seven part series where I covered the 7 key elements to creating an extraordinary engineering career, based on my recently released updated and expanded edition of my book Engineer Your Own Success.

“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

In the Take Action Today segment of the show, I will give you a tip on how to get people want to work with you, not just for you.

Listen to this session and learn about the following points related to how you can develop and improve your leadership skills: [Read more…] about TECC 70: Developing the Engineering Leader Inside of You – EYOS 7 of 7 – The Engineering Career Coach Podcast

Lessons Learned from Two Days with Engineering Leaders, and Laws on Life’s Outcomes

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IECD Meetup post PhotoA few days ago, we put on our annual Institute for Engineering Career Development (IECD) meetup in Austin, Texas.

The event consisted of three days of intensive learning sessions from over 15 accomplished speakers, several social outings, and interesting tours. Of course, I can’t forget to mention the more than 50 motivated engineers who attended the event from all over the US—all of whom walked away with career- and life-changing information and friendships.

This post will provide some lessons from this event in hopes that you can utilize the information to better your performance and results, both personally and professionally.

Lessons from Engineering Leaders

During the event, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions of some of the most successful engineering presidents and CEOs, and here are some key takeaways.

In order to become a partner in an engineering firm or an engineering leader, consider doing the following: [Read more…] about Lessons Learned from Two Days with Engineering Leaders, and Laws on Life’s Outcomes