Case Study

Republic of the Philippines

Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology

Cabanatuan City

Case Study No. 1

Do Good Engineers Make Good Managers?

CE 323 (Engineering Management)

Submitted by:

Jon Angelo N. Manacop

BSCE-3D

Republic of the Philippines

Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology

Cabanatuan City

Case Study No. 1

Alma Electronics; I’ll Dream Of You.

CE 323 (Engineering Management)

Submitted by:

Jon Angelo N. Manacop

BSCE-3D

Good engineers know a lot. They know how and when to multitask; they can focus on details as well as the big picture; they interpret requirements and make good judgments about which are necessary and which are merely desirable; they make educated decisions about risk; they are team players and listen to others’ opinions; they brainstorm, whittle down to viable options, and make decisions; they empower, mentor, and teach others; and they take and give constructive criticism. Many of these qualities are also essential for being a good project manager. So why don’t all good engineers become good managers?

When I made the move from engineer to manager, upper management expected me to handle all project issues and concerns and report back plans to correct them. Trying to do that on my own, with no formal training, I ran the risk of becoming a micromanager and a stranger to my family. I eventually realized I needed help from my whole team. Sharing the load meant the project could be successful, and I could leave work at a reasonable time and have a family life. I also believe that letting my team know that I couldn’t do it all myself encouraged them to come to me when they, too, needed help on a particular task. No one ever told or showed me that this was something I should do as a manager—and must do to become a successful manager—and learning the lesson was painful. I made mistakes and couldn’t avoid all the pitfalls that come with moving from a specialist role to a managerial one. During...