Experiential Learning and Engineering Management Effectiveness: A Leadership Class Case Study

With increased electronic communication and global, virtual teams, the requirement for skilled engineering managers has received increased focus in technical organizations. This paper provides observations regarding the effectiveness of graduate students completing a hands-on engineering task in the classroom. The exercise simulates a workplace challenge an engineering manager could face on a typical day. The study is an assignment with pre-task and post-task questions, completed in one 90-minute session of an M.S. in Technology Management/MBA Leadership and Change Management class. Results demonstrated to students that effective management was as important to a task as the specific knowledge and skill in the technical aspects of the assignment. From learning-by-doing, students understood the value of management practices. This case study showcases the learning of technical management skills, and it is presented so that others may adapt the study to their own courses and classrooms. This study does not presume that a manager will have a technical background. Therefore, there is applicability to use the teaching method in a variety of situations from academic to corporate learning programs.