Management of Engineers and Technology Managing Tradeoffs Time 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: Then: 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 Qualifications 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

Time Management Process Review your goals List your unfinished tasks Prioritize your tasks based on your goals Attack tasks in priority order

Priority Levels 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

Time Management Systems 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 Wasters: Interruptions Meetings Telephone/pager/radio Sales people Visitors Crises

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

Meetings Accomplish something as a group Purposes Sharing information Securing cooperation Making decisions

Effective Meetings: Group Time Management 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

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