ENGR 310: Engineering Group Management Proposed by: David Beiter, Chelsea Evans, Charles Sutton Submitted on: April 29, 2015

Overview Introduction Problem and Objectives Solution Qualifications Management and Schedule Costs Conclusion

Introduction ● Professional engineering projects are collaborative ● Communication and teamwork skills are required ● Engineering program lacks course to teach these skills ● Proposition of new course Engineering Group Management Image of group work by USACE (CC BY 2.0)

Problem

1

WVU’s engineering program only offers technical courses Does not educate students on communication, leadership, and group management skills Students are taught how to analytically solve problems but not collaboratively formulate ideas and solutions

Problem 2

Engineering projects are collaborative Projects are completed as teams of individuals with different career and expertise backgrounds Communication, leadership, and collaboration skills are needed to formulate effective solutions Proper teamwork produces the most efficient completion process

Problem 3

Research Study Multiple working groups were observed Observations concluded that 40% of every groups problems were because of insufficient communication and teamwork Groups struggled with group management almost as much as with the material and project at hand Group production greatly improved after feedback on effective collaboration techniques

Problem 4

Individual courses are offered to teach communication and leadership skills, however: Engineering students are unable to manage extra courses They are required 132 credits to graduate Could be taken if the course was included in the required 132 credits

Objectives

Objective 1

Teach communication, teamwork and leadership skills

Objective 2

Collaborate on work with other students

Objective 3

Develop group management skills and provide constructive criticism from the instructor and peers Help students/groups understand what is not working and how to fix it Provide knowledge and experience

Objective 4

Raise the performance of the engineering curriculum to better prepare graduates for jobs and careers

Solution ● ENGR Engineering Group Management ● Encompasses all objectives for a successful solution o Teach leadership, communication, and collaboration

Solution ● DiSC Leadership Assessment o Analyses an individuals tendencies o Aids in leadership and communication ● Reading Assignments o “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni o Reading Discussions ● Homework Assignments o Small groups o 1 week

Solution ● Project 1 o Teams of 4-5 o 2 weeks o Report and presentation ● Project 2 o Teams of 4-5 o 4 weeks o Report and presentation

Solution ● Team - Professor Meetings o Private team meetings o Discuss weaknesses and strengths o Helps foster group communication

Qualifications ●Completion of: ○MATH 261, CHEM 115, PHYS 111, MAE 243, STAT 215 ●Understanding of: ○Basic engineering principles and problem solving skills

Management Instructor must have: ●Understanding of communication, leadership, and group management skills ●Experience in a professional engineering projects

Management Dr. David Martinelli ●Experienced civil engineering professor ●Taught engineering introduction courses ●Collaborated and managed many major engineering projects Construction Photo by Chris Durst | Saturday Gazett

Schedule ●Start: Spring 2016 ○Offered: Spring and Fall Semesters ○ 3 credit hour course, MWFs ●Non-Major elective ○ Allow all engineering students to enroll

Costs

Cost 1

Computers and Software No need for new hardware/software Computers available all around campus Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Cost 2

DiSC Leadership Assessment $60/student Roughly $3240 total Increase College fee by $1/student Already charged $576 - $852 per semester

Conclusion ●Currently, no engineering course to teach necessary skills ●ENGR 310 will teach communication, leadership, and teamwork ●Course will better prepare students for the workplace

Questions?

References Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. “Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs.” ABET, 1 Nov Web. 18 Mar Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. “Undergraduate.” West Virginia University, Web. 8 Apr Everything DiSC. "DiSC Profile - What Is DiSC®? The DiSC Personality Test Explained." DiSC Overview. Everything DiSC, n.d. Web. 2 Apr Gilbuena, Debra M., et al. “Feedback on Professional Skills as Enculturation into Communities of Practice.” Journal of Engineering Education (2015): Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 Mar Joseph, Anthony, and Mabel Payne. "Efficacy of Monitoring and Supporting College Students Teamwork: A Case Study." International Journal Of Learning 18.9 (2012): Education Research Complete. Web. 16 Mar Quaranta, John. Syllabus – CE 351 Introductory Soil Mechanics. Morgantown: West Virginia University, Print. WVU. "Undergraduate Students." Undergraduate Tuition and Fees. West Virginia University, n.d. Web. 15 Apr WVU. "West Virginia University - Main Campus Enrollment Trends." Fall 1995 through Fall 2014 (n.d.): n. pag. West Virginia University. Web. 15 Apr West Virginia University. "Search the Schedule of Courses." Schedule of Courses. West Virginia University, n.d. Web. 21 Apr Suntrup, Jack, and Chris Dorst. "Delay in Complex’s Opening Forces Hundreds at WVU to Sprint for Housing before Fall Classes." The Charleston Gazette. The Charleston Gazette, 9 Aug Web. 27 Apr