Diversity: An Engineering Process

Engineers often prefer to work with processes, particularly those that allow for assumptions, inputs, and outputs. Unfortunately, engineers seldom pursue diversity management as perhaps a secondary career field. In this paper, organizational diversity is represented by an engineeringlike process having three primary phases and a supporting phase. The Leading Diversity Process Model (LDPM) is described by a modified pyramid with four parts defined as accepting differences, understanding differences, valuing differences, and role models. These same terms are often used in diversity conversations and literature; however, the current success story is derived from the manner in which the four components are defined and linked together to form a process. Like most engineering processes, the diversity model is receptive to creativity and innovation, along with standard problem-solving methodologies. Since July 2002, the LDPM has been presented to diverse audiences, including students, faculty, military leaders, and equal opportunity professionals. This paper offers an abbreviated discussion of the evolving description of each part of the model, followed by a brief summary of audience reaction to date.