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                               Improving Technical Productivity

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Transition good engineers to effective, efficient project leaders!

Engineers' BootCampTM

 

This workshop can be customized to meet your needs, and is delivered at most locations internationally.

 

Contact us for more information.

 

 

Workshop Overview

 

One of the best investments a company can make is to teach engineers how to get projects done on time and within budget.  Why?  There is a world of difference between "engineering" products or systems and making projects come out as desired, especially when projects involve coordinating multiple people.  A negative outcome is certain when good engineers are put into positions of responsibility without the range of competencies necessary for achieving excellent results.

 

This workshop guarantees to increase project success by improving leadership, planning, estimating, collaboration and communication competencies.  The powerful results from this course are based on the instructor's direct experience on engineering projects and experience gained from Auxilium's engineering management consulting business.

 

Case studies, real-life examples and exercises are used extensively to illustrate how the principles apply on the job.  The case studies are drawn from a broad range of product development team environments at small, medium, and large companies serving many industries.

 

Each participant leaves with a comprehensive workbook and a personalized action plan that will immediately benefit their respective organizations.

 

Benefits

 

This workshop enables participants to:

  • effectively lead engineering projects and teams

  • increase the level of buy-in and commitment to project schedules

  • develop key interpersonal and business competencies

  • use matrixed management effectively

  • improve the accuracy of project estimates

  • assess the effectiveness of project lifecycle models used at work

  • improve project-related communication

  • become more influential

  • identify leadership development goals specific to individual needs

 

Who should attend:

  • Electronics/Electrical Engineers

  • Software Engineers and Developers

  • Mechanical Engineers

  • Aerospace Engineers

  • Structural Engineers

  • Civil Engineers

  • Project Leaders

  • Engineering Supervisors

  • Prospective managers

 

Instructor:  Gary C. Hinkle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workshop Content (One or more modules are chosen and tailored to meet your needs)

 

MODULE 1 - ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES AND PRODUCTIVITY

 

Overview of Essential Skills

Balancing technical and non-technical skill development

The importance of “soft” skills:

  • Business communications, listening, technical presentations, customer service, teamwork, commitment, task management, project planning, leadership...

Developing Interpersonal Competencies

Conversation tips

Deciding which technology to use for communication

The art of listening

 

Teamwork

Building rapport with business associates

Integrating your ideas with surrounding influences and business objectives

Helping others to see your view

 

Presentations Tips

Presenting to groups, both small and large

Length and detail of presentations

Keeping the audience engaged

Tips for using PowerPoint or other visual aids

 

Customer Service

Satisfying the needs of both internal and external customers

Prioritizing demands from multiple customers

Commitment: The ultimate customer service tool

 

Managing Many Priorities

The challenges inherent in several top priorities

Separating real priorities from everyday fire drills

Organizing skills: Eliminating your time-wasters

Prioritization exercises

 

MODULE 2 - PROJECT ESTIMATING AND PLANNING

 

Project Planning Overview

Project planning competencies and tasks

Individual accountability for estimating, planning, and scheduling work

Integrating a high level of commitment into plans

 

Project Planning Details

Project lifecycle

Pros and cons of standard lifecycle models

Examples of good planning and poor planning

How much planning is the right amount?

Dealing with ambiguity and uncertain resource availability

Project documentation

 

Project Leadership and Project Management

Overview of necessary leadership competencies

Opportunities to distribute project leadership and management responsibilities

Case study: Sharing of Project Leadership and Management Responsibilities

 

Project Estimating

Estimation challenges

Prerequisites for estimation

Comparison of estimation methods

Estimation steps

Estimation exercise

 

Scheduling Practices

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Iterative estimating and scheduling    

Scheduling tools

Gantt and PERT charts

Commitment based scheduling

Cost of delay

 

Detailed Design Plans

Planning steps

Defining roles and responsibilities

“Success” criteria

Project plan template

Planning exercise

Balancing planning with prototyping

 

Design Review Practices

Critical design reviews and milestones

Formal and informal design reviews

Preparation for reviews and accountability

Effective design review meetings

Making tough decisions related to design review findings

Engaging experts from outside the team

Third party reviewers

 

MODULE 3 - ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP

 

What is Leadership?

What leadership is, and what leadership is not

Why leadership skills are important for engineers and technical professionals

Differences between leadership skills and management skills

Self-analysis of key leadership skills to improve

Five levels of leadership

 

How to Develop Trust and Respect

Characteristics that help credibility and perceived integrity

Characteristics that hurt credibility

Self-assessment

 

The Art of Influence

Building rapport with business associates

Helping others to see your view

Influencing your boss

Case study: System Architect with Poor Leadership Skills

Influencing other leaders

Understanding the process of “give and take”

Influence vs. authority

 

Self Assessment of Leadership Ability and Potential

Attendees assess abilities in 3 key areas and come up with a score that illustrates strengths and specific leadership skills to develop

 

Project Leadership and Project Management

Overview of leadership skills necessary to effectively lead projects

Opportunities to distribute project leadership and management responsibilities

Case study: Sharing of Project Leadership and Management Responsibilities

Overview of project planning skills and tasks

Key project leadership skills

Case study: Outstanding Project Leader (a role model for project leaders)

 

Plus... each participant will develop a personalized plan for continued leadership growth and action steps relevant to the success of your business!

 


 

Our Guarantee

 

If for any reason you are not satisfied, write to us within 30 days after the workshop and return the course materials and we'll arrange for you to receive a full refund - hassle-free!

 


 

Fee includes a comprehensive workbook and email/phone follow-up with the instructor after the workshop to assist with implementation.  This workshop can be customized to meet your needs, and is delivered at most locations internationally.

 

Contact us for more information.

 

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