Virtual Classroom Economics of Engineering Design Virginia Tech University of Massachusetts General Electric Company National Science Foundation

2 Today’s Meeting Introductions Objectives of Our Collaboration with Industry Challenges for Industry Considerations in Decision Making Background on Industrial Partners Skills You Will Need and Develop What to Expect … the Real Story Information Resources Getting Started

3 Introductions Virginia Tech –Dr. Sullivan, Industrial and Systems Engineering –Dr. Wildman, Director, Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching University of Massachusetts - Amherst –Dr. Terpenny, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering –Dr. Giglio, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering GE Industrial Systems, Salem-VA & Plainville-CT National Science Foundation, Undergraduate Edu

4 Objectives of Our Collaboration with Industry Increase your competency in the economic principles of engineering design Better prepare you for engineering practice Improve your skills in problem solving Improve your ability to work in a team

5 Challenges for Industry “The role of the engineer in industry is to make, evaluate, and justify technical decisions in support of business.”

6 Challenges for Industry Profit Model Profit = Revenue - Cost Consider profit to be fixed (a goal or target). A given that’s not to be compromised. Minimizing cost is crucial to meeting this target! Globalization –Motivated by lower costs (labor) –Difficulties for operations and communications –Sometimes a quick decision without analysis from an overall systems perspective

7 Considerations in Decision Making? Functional Economic Environmental Sustainability Manufacturability Health Safety Social Political

8 GE Industrial Systems Products: –Power Transmission –Electrical Distribution and Protection –Automation & Control –Motors & Controls Markets: –Residential –Commercial –Industrial –Utility

9 Skills You Will Need and Develop Communication Project Management Time Management Interview (Knowledge Mining) Problem Solving Team Collaboration Professionalism Patience

10 What to Expect … the Real Story The bad: –Problems that are ill defined –Open ended problems –Too much data –Not enough data –Busy people The good: –Freedom to be creative –A real person with a need (customer) to satisfy –Better skills (see previous slide) –An excellent experience for your resume –Industry contacts

11 Information Resources Guest Lecture from GE A Variety of Problem Selections Plant Trip(s) Direct Communication with GE via , Phone, Individual Visits, Teleconferencing Web Page for Class Projects – –Requirements –Resources from GE - presentations, data, contact info, etc. Research Info from a Variety of Outside Sources Ingenuity Helps!

12 Getting Started Hold a Group Meeting Visit GE Industrial Systems Web Site Review Industry Problem Statements & Select One Review Principles and Methodology of Chapter 1 for Guiding Process Begin Project Planning & Management –refer to additional materials available for guidance Take Initial First Steps in Your Plan … Stay on Top Have Fun with the Project Be Creative & Resourceful