em 702 engineering project or exam © washington state university-20101 dr holt's simplified...

© Washington State University-2010 1

EM 702 Engineering Project or Exam

Dr Holt's Simplified Overview of EM 702 Project Research Documentation

James R. Holt, Ph.D., PE

Professor, Engr & Tech Mgmt

Washington State University


Intro of Dr Holt

• Special Interests: Managing Variability Control of physical

processes Analyzing Complex

processes (policy, measurements, behaviors).

• Theory of Constraints

• Operations Research

• Organizational Behavior


What is EM 702?

• The End-of-Course Exam

• Final Project / Study


Things to Know

• Must be enrolled in EM 702 the semester you graduate.

• Taking the EM 702 Exam requires 2 credits min.

• Doing and EM 702 Project requires 4 credits min (usually spread over 2 semesters).

• You can take more than 4 credits.

• You don’t need to be enrolled in EM 702 to start a project.


The EM 702 Exam

Pass Four of Six areas • Managing Organizations and People EM 501 & EM 522

• Managing Financial Resources EM 505 & EM 545 & EM 590

• Managing with Analytical Methods EM 540 & EM 560

• Managing Projects EM 564 & EM 520

• Managing Variability Stat 430 & EM 580 & EM 585

• Managing Strategy EM 526 & EM 575 & EM 591


The EM 702 Exam

Rigorous Two-Week long effort• Open-book, Open-Notes, Take-Home• Case study, open-ended questions• Often integrates or extends course work• Demonstrates Significant proof of knowledge of course materials.

Register for 2 Credits


How to do well on the Exam

• Review Material for Core Courses

• Try to Integrate material across courses (you learn more by integrating topics across

boundaries).

• Show that you know Be evident your knowledge comes from courses (No need to quote text books)

• Block out Time To prepare for the Exams To take the Exams with minimal distraction


The EM 702 Exam

The Exam Option is Good if:• Not time for a project (at least two semesters)• Don’t have a suitable project

The Exam Option:• Doesn’t provide much value to you• Doesn’t deliver additional value to company


EM 702 Project / Study

End-of-Program• Significant study relevant to EM Program Material applied to your own environment.

• Typically a one to two year duration• Starts early in program (you get ideas of how to improve your organization early and keep thinking about it).

Complete the work in last two semesters• Register for 4 Credits (must be enrolled in EM 702 during the semester you Graduate).


When to start your EM 702 Project?

• Yesterday Clever people seem to apply every

individual EM Class project towards their EM 702 project.• If you are working on things important to your work function during your masters program, nearly every project falls into this category.

• Today. It’s time to start thinking.

• Tomorrow. Tomorrow is a good time to revise your direction as you progress.


EM 702 Process!

• Project Guidelines are outlined on the Web: http://www.engrmgt.wsu.edu/Course%20Information/Project%20Guidelines.pdf

Think of a project Find a Chair person Get Project Approved Gather Background, Data Apply Chosen Solution Write Draft Report (last draft) Present Results to Committee Complete Final Report


What topic should I address?

• What is the most important topic? A topic that is of interest to the student

• If the student is excited about the topic, its hard to fail

A topic that makes the Boss (or Boss’ Boss) happy

• When there is firm support, getting the time, resources and understanding is easy

A topic area that is well know to the student


How complicated does it need to be?

• You are working on an expensive problem (non-trivial)

• More than a homework assignment

• More than a class paper

• Maybe the effort of four or five papers all focused on one area of concern


Your Chairman Helps You

• Pick a Chair who likes what you like

• Share your ideas with your Chair and committee members

• Use a local mentor to keep you on track

• These folks should help you scope out the project (content and difficulty relative to your abilities and energy level)


What Must Be in the Project?

• Demonstrate Breadth of Understanding Across at least three areas of study

• Demonstrate Depth of Understanding One area in much more depth than class

• Be sure to show: You are Smart Your Company is Smart and that WSU is Smart Make everyone look good!


Where do I start to select a project?

• Look at your projects from classes in the past

• Look at your work place from several points of view

• Usually there are major areas that needs to be addressed

• If you did an EM 526 Constraints Management class project, that is an outline for a great EM 702 effort


So, I have an idea, but how to start?

• Start with the end in mind.

• What do I need to do to get from here to there?

• Write and Abstract in advance (anticipated results): Summarize the problem Summarize the approach to solve it Summarize what you did Summarize the value that the solution

delivers


To Get Approval:Create an Outline / Plan(see Project Proposal Outline)

Student Name:_____________

Chair Name: _______________

Mentor Name: ______________

Topic or Title: ___________________________

_______________________________________

Tentative Graduation Date: __________

Send To [email protected] within two weeks after starting EM 702 class.


To Succeed:Create an Outline / Plan

Purpose of the Project: Objectives & Intent 1. How you will try to Apply/Implement Engineering

Management topic(s) to an organization?

2. Is it an Audit or an Analysis of the organization and presentation of solutions?

3. Will it involve researching a topic(s) beyond class textbooks? Must you examine other implications?

4. Is it an application of previously prepared theoretical material?

5. Other Approach?


The Initial Plan: Answering More Questions

• Scope•What is the Overview or Big Picture of this project?

• What is the Size of this project; how big will it be?

• Are there Limitations or boundaries that restrict you?

• Should there be a limit?• Summary of Major (or anticipated):• Discovery Issues from background review


Additional Considerations for the Project

• Expected Major FindingsFindings expected from the analysis Findings expected during the solution Special Considerations during the project

Detail Project Analysis What needed Information will you require? Is it available? Will you have the support you need? Who will give it? Do you have the tools necessary to do the analysis (software

or other analysis techniques)? Will you have the competency (or gain the competency) to

complete the analysis? Are your communication and writing skills sufficient to handle

this project?


Project Proposal:Other Stuff

AppendixWill there extensive attachments to support the analysis, finding and recommendations? Will you be able to provide them (or condense them to appropriate size?

ReferencesAre there appropriate references? Do you (will you) have them documented?

Submit• Submit this completed outline with a short abstract (proposed

or expected abstract at this point) to your Committee Chair and to Patti Elshafei as soon as you start your EM 702 Project process.


Ready, Set, Start!

• Now, you have a Committee Chair

• And, you are Approved!

• Hardest part is over.

• Now, just do the work,

• Write the Paper Draft (to final),

• Present the Paper,

• Submit the Paper,

• and Walk (Graduate)!


Abstract

• First Step - Get a vision of where you are going!

• Write your Abstract: Take a hint and write the Abstract at the

beginning of you work (begin with the end in mind) and edit the Abstract as needed over time.


Plan your effort

• Don’t wander around blindly analyzing everything and expect the answers to suddenly appear.

• There will have to be some change If no change, things remain the same

• But, “Change what?” Look for it! Find out, “what to change to?” Cause the change to happen. Report the results (good or bad, lessons

learned, things yet to solve).


While you are going …

• During your EM 702 work, keep track of your data, where you have been and what you are learning.

• Some projects can take months to years. You won’t remember it all.

• Keep a record. “Dullest pencil better than the sharpest mind.”

• Try and structure your work according to the paper structure (it will help organize you).


Structure of the Paper

Structure: Use a general flow that contains the applicable portions of the following outline.

1-Introduction2-Background3-Approach4-Solution Result5-Conclusion

If you don’t need sections, fine. If you need eight, fine. Remember, short and readable is much better than long and wandering.


Write for the Target Audience

• Convince Committee

• Convince Company

• Convince Graduate School

• Desire Ability to Publish (Style and Form)

• Desire READABILITY

• Desire Change for the Better Write for your Boss’ Boss


Outline of the Paper

• I. Introduction to problem

• II. Definition/Background/History of problem

• III. Proposed method to solve the problem

• IV. Outcome of trying to solve the problem/Results/Findings/Determination

• V. Conclusions / Further insight / Recommended Research


When you think you are close to writing...

• Often, it is better to prepare your presentation before your paper. That is, the presentation that summarizes what you attacked, learned and achieved in your EM 702.

• Even a draft presentations can help you from rambling on and on and on and on in your paper.

• Then, on to the paper itself... .


First Chapter (Section)

• Section 1 - Intro, Overview or Long Verion of First Part of Abstract Brief description of some problem which

needs to be solved. Brief description of a possible solution

method. Statement of what project will do / needs to

do:• Applying possible solution to problem. Benefit if solution works.


Second Chapter (Section)

• Section 2 - Background, Literature Review, History or Details of Problem, Previous Solution Efforts and New Solution Ideas. Details of problem - Why is this problem so tough.

• 1. What is the problem. Why is it important. Why should it be solved.

• 2. Details of different or previous solution techniques. What techniques are or were available to solve problem.

Success or failures of previous efforts. Clear critique of previous solutions relative to problem.

• 3. Clear summary of problem which remains.


Third Chapter (Section)

• Section 3 - Method to be Executed to Solve Problem.

• A. Clear summary of solution method selected.

• B. Step by step outline of how solution will be applied. 1. Step 1, What to do first. Step 2, Then do this.

Step 3, and so on, and so on.• C. Method to be used to evaluate and validate the

completed effort. 1. Explain how will the reader know if the

research method succeeded.


Fourth Chapter (Section)

• Section 4 - Results or Findings of this Project Effort-- Documented Findings, data, facts, results, calculations or other raw data.

• 1. Facts, Just the facts here.

• 2. Analysis of findings, data, facts, results, calculations and so on. Statistics. Evaluation, determinations, understandings, observations.

• 3. Evaluation of analysis. Was the analysis any good? Was it meaningful or as expected? Did

it provide any insight, enlightenment, perspective, application, impact?

• 4. Bottom line. Did the research succeed or fail. Was the application valid or invalid

(either can be successful research).


Fifth Chapter (Section)

• Section 5 - Conclusions, Further Insights. Recommended Future Research and other Appropriate Suggestions. A. Brief restatement of significant findings (how you were a hero).

• Success and or failure of efforts from a 'stand back' perspective. A view of the methodology from your 'educated' perspective.

B. Statement of the lasting impact of the research.• What value was this exercise (there is always some). Dollar signs

are helpful. C. If you were to do it again, what would you do differently. D. Further recommended research in or around the same subject

area. Where can this project go next? What should the next researcher do?


Communication

• Along the way… Email your whole Committee monthly

• Protects you--Keeps you on track• Protects Committee--Knows where you are going

• Identifies problems early enough so they can be fixed.

“Last month I did … . I’m currently <behind><on><ahead> of schedule. Next month, my plan is to … .”


More timing issues

• Must present a month before graduation

• Must have final draft paper minimum of 2 weeks before presentation

• Must have several drafts before the final draft (two months)

• Bottom Line: You should have most of your work completed at the beginning of the semester that you intend to graduate.


Other English Hints

• Other format and English suggestions to make project life much easier. Select a tense and stay with it. Try using present

tense ALL the way through. Speak in the third person. Don't make it broken or rough like, “This researcher found... ."

Use direct, active, controlled writing style “They are …” versus “They have the advantage of being... ."

That means: Commit yourself - Don't be a wimp.


More English Hints

Make clear, concise use of facts. Don't repeat.Don't become emotional.Sentences should never exceed three lines.

Be +POSITIVE+. Never say negative things in a negative way (particularly in finding fault with others or making excuses about your own work).


More English Hints

Criticism of others work should always be scholarly.

Pick an article format early and use it. Make paragraphs brief (average 2.5 per

page) and able to stand alone (first sentence introduces topic in paragraph - Last sentence gives reason to read the next paragraph).

USE figures and tables to illustrate ideas (average 1 figure / table per 3 pages).


More English Hints

• Never end a sentence with ‘...for’ or other dangling participles.

Difficult topics should be discussed at multiple levels of abstraction.

Avoid semi-colons like the plague. Marry widows and adopt orphans (single lines on

top or bottom of a page).Don't begin too many sentences with infinitive or

prepositional phrases or conjunctions. "In addition to…", “However, “ "And also...,”.


More English Hints

Keep thought patterns parallel. Present information in the order the reader expects to see it.

Use 10 or 12 pitch type, unjustified. NEVER USE: "...is that ...", “What is needed is...”, “It

becomes evident that”, “The idea is to...”. Avoid infinitive phrases (verbs ending in "...ing"). Don't try to be fancy. Use "use" versus 'utilize'. "Due

to the fact that… " is the same as "Because..."


Bottom Line

• Do good!• Be professional! • Write well!• Report a success (of whatever scale)

• Continue Learning Beyond School

• Keep Thinking! Dr Holt

em 702 engineering project or exam © washington state university-20101 dr holt's simplified...

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