Essence of Engineering Management - a brief note

Engineering management can be understood by an examination of 2 sets of concepts, one set being related to engineering and another set being related to management. Details are as follows:

A. Engineering-related

1. Engineering: the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgement to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.
2. Engineering management: is a specialized form of mangement that is concerned with the application of engineering principles to business practice. A narrow definition confines it to the direct supervision of engineerss or of engineering functions, while a broad definition also covers the general management responsibilities engineers can take up, notably the management of technical functions as well as the management of marketing and strategic management in a high-technology business.

B. Management-related

1. Management has 4 main uses: (i) an organizational process; (ii) as a science, discipline, or art; (iii) the group of people running an organization, and (iv) an occupational career.
2. Simply put, management is the process of reaching organizational goals by working with and through people and other organizational resources.
3. There are a number of attributes in the subject of management: (i) in terms of management levels (ie front-line managers, middle managers, top managers); (ii) managerial skills (ie conceptual skills, interpersonal skills, and technical skills); and (iii)managerial roles (ie interpersonal roles, informational roles and decisional roles); (iv) functions of managers (ie planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling)

An engineering management education programme covers four specific subject domains: (i) Engineering management (e.g. production and operations management; project engineering); (ii) Business (e.g. marketing, accounting, finance, economics and administration); and (iii) Engineering (e.g. advanced design and research). [Note that Plant and Industrial Engineering is covered by both (i) and (iii) here.] Finally, the subject domain of Engineering career management (iv) (e.g. ethics, career, diversity, time management) is also covered.


In my view, conventional Engineering Management, with much emphasis on application of science and mathematics, is mainly based on hard systems thinking rather than soft systems thinking.

Related study note

On Management thinking:

• Fayol's 14 principles: http://managementinnovations.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/henri-fayols-14-principles-of-management/
• On bureaucracy: http://www.drtomoconnor.com/4090/4090lect02.htm

References

1. Engineering Management: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_management
2. Hard systems: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_systems
3. Morse, L.C. and Babcock, D.L. (2007) Managing Engineering and Technology, Pearson Prentice Hall.

Social media marketing and website quality relationship: a brief note

I refer to Kim and Stoel (2004) on the various attributes of website quality in retail business to start off my discussion. These writers provide a comprehensive list of quality attributes, namely,

1. information fit-to-task
2. tailored communication
3. online completeness
4. relative advantage
5. visual appeal
6. innovativeness
7. emotional appeal
8. consistent image
9. ease of understanding
10. intuitive operations
11. response time
12. trust

When a company conducts marketing and sales activities in the social media ecosystem, these activities could be studied in terms of further contribution to some of the website quality attribures provided. More empirical studies need to be carried for this purpose. It appears to me that social media marketing can contribute to (2), (7), (9) and (12). There are 2 other factors to consider:

1. The social media ecosystem tends to favour more marketing 3.0 approach as well as more social enterprise-behaviour in commercial enterprises. This effect will in turn influence the social medica marketing approach adopted by companies.
2. Website qaulity is affected by the 3 main considerations in a typical user and task analysis, namely, user, task and the specific environment involved. I want to point out that, website presentation in a smartphone is different from that of a PC tablet, and which, in turn, is different from that of a desktop PC. These are 3 different environments; user profiles and main task profiles are also different in these 3 computing environments. Thus, the priorities of website quality attributes in these 3 cases also differ.

Ultimately, it is important to ask how a corporate website contributes to the marketing effectiveness of an enterprise, not just its social media marketing effectiveness.

References

1. Kim, S. and Stoel, L. (2004) "Dimensional hierarchy of retail website quality", Information & Management, 41, pp. 619-633.
2. Kotler, P., Kartajaya, H., and Setiawan, I. (2010) Marketing 3.0, John Wiley and Sons.
3. Social media marketing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media_marketing
4. User and task analysis: http://old.sigchi.org/bulletin/1999.3/pubs.pdf
5. Web usability: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_usability

A research agenda: social enterprise-like corporate behaviour in the social media ecosystem

It comes to my attention that there is a research theme: an assessment of how social media ecosystem fosters social enterprise-like behaviour in commercial enterprises. I list below a number of reference resources for research purpose:

1. Corporate citizenship: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_citizenship
2. HKSEC: http://www.hksec.hk/2010/?q=home_front
3. Social enterprise: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_enterprise
4. Social marketing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_marketing
5. Social enterpreneurship: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_entrepreneurship
6. Social media: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media

I think the literature on corporate social responsibility is also relevant.

Software engineering dissertation report writing - some advice

My Diploma and Degree students in computer science are required to do software engineering projects. Here, I want to provide some advice on how to write the project dissertation report. In general, the report has the following report structure

Title: Development of an XXXX system for XXX company based on XXX methodology

Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables

Chapter 1: Introduction: cover the context of the project, the objectives of the project and your role with the client system; also try to provide an overall view of the report structure
Chapter 2: Literature review: cover information about the application domain, e.g inventory management for an inventroy management software, etc; the main type of information system involved, e.g. an expert system for  a web-based personal investment advice software; software development tools used.
Chapter 3: Sofware Engineering Methodology justifications: evaluate a number of software development methodologies, e.g. DSDM, SSADM and make a choice on methodology used with clear justifications.
[There could be an additional chapter on the Project Plan for the software project; in this case, the software engineering project is described using Project Management concepts and frameworks.]
Chapter 4: Software engineering methodology in action: make an account of how you use the chosen methodology to manage the software engineering project
4.1 Phase 1 (of your chosen methodology); try to provide a few systems diagrams as explicitly required in this phase of the methodology
4.2 Phase 2.
... etc

Chapter 5: Conclusions and lessons learned: evaluate how well you have achieved your project objectives and reflect on the experience of using the software tools and methodology chosen for the project
References: do so in harvard referencing format.
Appendix: including major systems documentations, e.g. user guide, and UML diagrams constructed. Also attach your approved project proposal here.

When writing your report,

• try not to use systems deliverables as your chapter subtitles
• try to write in descriptive and discussion modes
• do not insert too many diagrams into the report direct
• use outlining in the report, e.g. 4.1, 4.2 in Chapter 4
• start on a new page for a new chapter
• label Figures and Tables clearly, e.g. Figure 1.1 XXX; Figure 1.2 XXX, etc
• try not to copy and paste diagrams from other sources; construct your own diagrams
• check your writing carefully and reduce grammatical errors
• try to express your line of reasoning clearly and in an organized way
• make sure you use proper references, e.g. textbooks and academic journal articles. Do not just use Internet resources for your references

Dissertation report is not a systems documentation manual. It is important to provide clear referencing and express your ideas with good English. Finally, the level of complexity/ sophistication of your software application should meet the academic requirement of the programme you study. If you are doing your final year dissertation at the Honour Degree level, do not use a primiative model such as SDLC as your methodology to use.


Below is the software engineering dissertation proposal template of GWU for reference:

Project Proposal

Topic area

WAP Application

Title

Telephone Number Enquiry System and Meeting Room Booking System for WAP device and Web Browser.

Introduction

The beginning usage of Internet was primarily a research and academic network. In more recently, commercial enterprises and a vast number of consumers around the world can use the Internet to retrieve information, communicate and conduct business globally and access a vast array of services and resources on-line. When connect to the Internet, computers using a client/server model to communicate with each other. A Browser is a client program that is used to search through information provided by a specific type of server and offer a graphical interface to the World Wide Web. The growth of WAP, which is the de facto worldwide standard for providing Internet communications and advanced telephony services on digital mobile phones, pagers, personal digital assistants and other wireless terminals.

The rapid use of mobile communication device today made company data accessible anywhere for their staff.  One ever-growing device is the portable mobile phone. As most corporations personal equip with wired or wireless devices, information retrieve can be done in anywhere. Based on the maturation of Internet technology through these years, the WAP will be another major part of an Information System.

Most common activity such as the corporate phone book enquiry, meeting room booking, sells and marketing, Customer Relation management, sending E-mail and various valuable services.

This project is concerned with the design and implementation of a database system that will enable the company user to retrieve company telephone number and Meeting Room booking through the web browser with the company Intranet and with their mobile phone.

Key phrases

WAP Database connectivity, Web Database connectivity, Web application development, WAP application development, Intranet, Internet, DBMS, LAN, Wireless LAN, Wireless application, B2B, W3C

Objectives

1. To review technical specification and technique to fulfill the project requirement. To  establish a network infrastructure for the system.

     Activities: Read literature on the use of software for WAP application development and Web application development. Survey web sites and white paper of software and magazines for relevant articles. Obtain trial copies of relevant software packages. Informal interviews with consultants and practitioners working in the area of web applications and wireless application.

    Deliverables: Section for report. 1000 – 1500 words.

2. To build a network infrastructure for the project

    Activities: Download software and setup computer environment for development.  Obtain comparison between different development infrastructure.

    Deliverables: Section for report. 1000 – 1500 words.

3. To collect user requirement for the system. Consolidate system requirement specification and functional specification of the system.

    Activities: Obtain relevant user requirement from the staff within various departments. Survey business function and staff behavior.

    Deliverables: Section for report. Max. 2000 words.

4. To design and implement a database that will hold information relating to the system.

    Activities: Analysis the information collected and draws up a requirement specification. Select appropriate methods and design and implement a database application to meet the requirements.

     Deliverables: Produce requirement specification. Justification for methods selected. Analysis and design documentation. Database schema. Implementation code. Test strategy. Evaluation steps.

    Write up a statement of each step of the design with justifications for design decisions made. 

Relevance of other courses

The courses Database Design, Human and Computer Aspects, Distributed Information System, Application Programming for Internet and Information engineering will provide relevant sources of material for the project.

Required resources

Access to libraries. Access to the Internet. Standard Pentium PC, Windows 98, Microsoft Access, PDA, Mobile phone, Delphi development tool.

Initial references

1. “Netware Web Development”, Peter Kuo, Ph.D   First Edition ,1997 sams.net publishing .

2. “World Wide Web Database Developer's Guide”,  Mark Swank and Drew Kittel 1996, Sams Publishing.

3. “Wireless Internet Database Connectivity with ASP, XML, and SQL Server”,

     Srdjan Vujosevic and   Robert  Laberge June 2000 issue of MSDNagazine.

     http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/0600/wireless/print.asp.       

4. “Dynamic WAP Application Development”, Soo Mee Foo, Christopher Hoover, Wei Meng Lee , ISBN 1930110081    Manning Publishing Co.

5. “Databases on the Internet/Intranet?A White Paper”, Ron Martin ,   neQuest Systems

6. “Web Database Connectivity with Scripting Languages”, Z. Peter Lazar and Peter Holfelder,   Web  Journal,  Volume 2, Issue 2

7. “Putting your Database on the Web”,  Norm Friesen, Academic Technologies for Learning,  norm.friesen@ualberta.ca

8. “Web Database Connectivity Buzzwords”, John Paul Ashenfelter Nov. 5, 1999 Database Developer,  http://www.webreview.com/dd/1999/11_05_99.shtml.

9. ”Web Services and Enterprise Integration - Friends Not Foes”, David Plesko and J. Michael Lee,  07/22/02 Intranet Journal http://www.intranetjournal.com/articles/200207/tu_07_22_02a.html.

Critical success factors

Locating relevant and up-to-date literature.

Obtaining sufficient relevant information to determine a full set of requirements.

Setup development infrastructure.

References

1. On DSDM: http://www.dsdm.org/
2. On harvard referencing: http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm
3. On SDLC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_Development_Life_Cycle

e-supply chain management - a resource list

I compiled the following list of internet resources for students studying e-supply chain management/ e-logistics:

1. Agent-based supply chain management: http://csdl2.computer.org/comp/proceedings/hicss/2004/2056/07/205670168a.pdf
2. B2B e-marketplace: http://www.emarketservices.com/start/Knowledge/E-business-Issues/E-marketplace-development/prod/Benefits-and-barriers-on-B2B-e-marketplaces.html?xz=0&sd=1&ci=272
3. Bullwhip effect: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullwhip_effect
4. Collaborative commerce: http://barcodes.gs1us.org/dnn_bcec/Solutions/CollaborativeCommerce/tabid/195/Default.aspx
5. CPFR: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_planning,_forecasting,_and_replenishment
6. Critical success factors of e-SCM - an article: http://repository.lib.polyu.edu.hk/jspui/bitstream/10397/1149/1/scm_paper_PPCv3_PolyU_Libra.pdf
7. ebXML: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Business_XML
8. EDI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Data_Interchange
9. e-procurement: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-procurement
10. Extended enterprise: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_Enterprise
11. Extranet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extranet
12. 4PL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth-party_logistics
13. GPS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System
14. Mass customization: http://ecommerce.hostip.info/pages/719/Mass-Customization.html
15. RFID: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification
16. RosettaNet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RosettaNet
17. VMI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vendor-managed_inventory
18. Web-based supplier management: http://blog.intelex.com/post/2011/03/17/The-advantage-of-web-based-supplier-management.aspx

Strategic cost analysis on e-Businesss management: a brief note

There are two closely related perspectives on e-business (EB) cost analysis. They are the economic and management accounting perspectives. I briefly present them here:

Perspective 1: economic perspective
a. Transaction cost economics (TCE) perspective: By studying the impacts of EB on the transaction costs via marketplaces as compared with administrative costs as what enterprises incurr internally, TCE sheds light on why ebusinesses increasingly rely on business process outsourcing to operate.
b. Using classical micro-economic theories, Grover and Ramanlal (2004) explain why eBusinesses are facing higher intensity of rivalry in the marketplaces as a result of much lower marginal cost with the adoption of a more digital business model in EB. Moreover, Internet promotes cost transparency in supply chains, resulting in higher customer bargaining power. This puts pressure on the gross margins of EB in general (Sinha, 2000). It has also been pointed out EB is able to shift outward the EB rich-reach trade-off curve, which can change the "rules of the game", thus disruptive to the marketplace.


Perspective 2: strategic management accounting (SMA) perspective
Michael Porter's models of Value Chain and 5-Force Model are very influential in SMA; these two models, while grounded on economic logic, offer major theoretical insights for SMA to develop more specific and practical SMA practices, see Ward (1993). For a discussion of how to apply Porter's models in EB, you are referred to Porter (2001).

In short, to conduct strategic cost analysis of EB, you need to study these two related literatures.

References

1. e-Business basics and transaction costs: http://tutor2u.net/ebusiness/ebusiness-law-cybercrime.html
2. Singha, I. (2000) "Cost Transparency: The Net's Real Threat to Prices and Brands", Harvard Business Review, March-April, 43-50.
3. e-Business environment and strategic cost management - an article: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1079725
4. Grover, V. and Ramanlal, P. (2004) "Digital economics and the e-business dilemma", Business Horizon, 47/4, July-August, pp. 71-80.
5. On outsourcing - a transaction cost view: http://eight2late.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/to-outsource-or-not-to-outsource-a-transaction-cost-view/
6. Porter, M.E. (2001) "Strategy and the Internet", Harvard Business Review, March, 63-78.
7. Strategic cost management and e-supply chain article: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1079725
8. Ward, K. (1993) Strategic Management Accounting, Butterworth Heinemann.

e-Customer service management in the social media ecosystem

To discuss Internet-based customer service in the social media ecosystem, you need to have some ideas about the two terms used:

a. Customer service: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_service
b. Social media ecosystem: http://www.slideshare.net/leminhhai/social-media-ecosystem-2706486

In a paper on Internet-based customer service by Walsh and Godrey (2000),  they stressed the importance of strengthened customer relationship management by retailers based on a more comprehensive and sophisticated customer intelligence database. Such data were much more easily gathered online. With that, online retailers could make their online customer service more accessible, more relevant and  more supportive of constant dialogue with customers. Morever,  online retailers were able to provide added value, e.g., in the forms of online personalized recommendation services, virtual communities for customer-to-customer interation and customized products. The business benefits of such Internet-based customer service were more customer loyalty and trust, more sales and profit from strengthened customer relationship management based on improved customer profitability analysis.

In the contemporary social media ecosystem, these ideas from Walsh and Godrefy remain laregly valid. On top of relying on virtual communities, on-line retailers need to consider social networking platforms, blogs, and micro-blogs such as twitter to engage consumers. Online retailers need to be more prepared to conduct marketing 3.0 practices in their e-customer service in the social media ecosystem. Consumer behaviour and expectations in 2011, as affected by contemporary social media ecosystem, are not the same as those in 2000; thus, there is a need for more marketing 3.0 thinking in online customer service management.

Finally, online retailers need to closely monitor their online customer service quality, perhaps by using the GAP model of service quality, because the business ecosystem they face is very often hyper-competitive.


References

1. Business ecosystem: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_ecosystem
2. eCRM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECRM
3. Hypercompetition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercompetition
4. Kotler, P., Kartajaya, H., and Setiawan, I. (2010) Marketing 3.0, John Wiley and Sons.
5. The gap model of service quality: http://www.degromoboy.com/cs/gap.htm
6. Walsh, J. and Godfrey, S. (2000). "The Internet: A New Era in Customer Service", European Management Journal, Vol. 18(1), pp. 85-92.