• BSMT3411
• Business & Engineering Mgmt

This module is intended to assist learners acquire the professional knowledge, skills, tools and techniques required to carry out the main aspects of leading a technical project team, and of contributing in an effective manner, at a managerial level within an organisation The module will also enhance the learners understanding of the business environment in which their organisation functions. The learner will understand the structure of the organisation and the role of management, be able to apply management accounting and human resource management techniques, and to understand how and why management decisions are made. The learner will improve their personal effectiveness in terms of time management, communication skills and research skills. They will acquire knowledge of team work, in general, and of their role in teams, in particular. Learners will explore the importance of ethics in engineering, to understand the ethical responsibilities of the Engineer in industry and to apply these concepts to a case study.

Overview of organisation structure, different levels of management, the role of the manager at each level, the skills required at each level.
Personal effectiveness: goal setting, engineer report writing, presentation skills, chairing meetings, communicating professionally using email and other media.
Time management skills: organising and prioritising tasks in terms of the goals of the organisation, and the individual Engineer.
Team work: the nature of teams, the stages of formation, managing conflict in teams, the individual learner's role in teams, the advantages and disadvantages of team decision making.
Decision making: rational approaches to solving problems and capitalising on opportunities.
Motivation theory and techniques in the workplace.
The Engineer's role in advising the organisation on project investment decisions using Discounted Cash Flow techniques.
Using Break-even analysis to ensure profitability in a manufacturing or service environment.
Interpreting a set of company accounts. Using financial ratio analysis to report on the financial health of the organisation.
The nature of industrial relations in Ireland and the various state bodies and organisations involved.
High level review of the Irish legal system and contract law. Examination of a selection of employment legislation and how this fits with Irish industrial relations procedures/bodies.
An introduction to Ethics in Engineering, Corporate Social Responsibility and the Engineer's obligations under Engineers Ireland Code of Ethics. Frameworks with which to analyse engineering ethical dilemmas.
Familiarisation with marketing theory and practise to include the 4 P's and product lifecycles. An introduction to Entrepreneurship in Engineering.
Research process, research strategy and design, literature search, literature review, conceptual framework, comparison of research methods, analysis, interpretation.