The Industrial Engineering Profession
Industrial Engineering is an extensive field of study since it consists of many diverse scientific disciplines with interfaces to various fields of study from the sciences, engineering and management. It encompass, for example, mathematical models and computer programs, manufacturing and production problems and financial and management systems or marketing or negotiation with a labor union. If one characteristic of Industrial Engineering has to be isolated then it may be the capability of the Industrial Engineer to integrate the contributions of all the other engineering disciplines into a final, functional and marketable product, at the lowest possible cost, by using system knowledge and understanding. This "product" may be a factory, or a part of a factory, or a logistic supply chain, or a computer program, or a quality management system, or even a procedure or a plan of action.
In general, Industrial Engineers are responsible for the Analysis, Design, Planning, Implementation, Operation, Management and Maintenance of Integrated Systems consisting of People, Money, Material, Equipment, Information and Energy.
It is difficult to define Industrial Engineering in a few well-chosen words since the boundaries of the field of study are certainly fuzzy. This however implies a very definite advantage since a person with a degree in Industrial Engineering has a very wide choice in terms of work environment, type of employer or self-employment.
Industrial Engineering is the application of techniques and principles to the improvement, design, and installation of systems that involve people, materials, information, energy and equipment to provide efficient production of goods and services. To evaluate and work with these systems, knowledge and skills in the mathematical, physical, and social sciences are required. Industrial engineering activities form a bridge between management goals and operational performance. The industrial engineers are more concerned with increasing productivity through the management of people, methods of business organization, and technology than the engineers in other specialties, who generally work more with products or processes.
Industrial engineers are employed in multidisciplinary teams, and are usually concerned with the planning, installation, control and improvement of production activities. Such activities may include manufacturing, product innovation, provision of services, transportation, and organizational information flow. Industrial Engineers may seek employment in organizations such as government, manufacturing industry, research and consulting institutions, health care units, banks, insurance and utility companies
In general, Industrial Engineers are responsible for the Analysis, Design, Planning, Implementation, Operation, Management and Maintenance of Integrated Systems consisting of People, Money, Material, Equipment, Information and Energy.
It is difficult to define Industrial Engineering in a few well-chosen words since the boundaries of the field of study are certainly fuzzy. This however implies a very definite advantage since a person with a degree in Industrial Engineering has a very wide choice in terms of work environment, type of employer or self-employment.
Industrial Engineering is the application of techniques and principles to the improvement, design, and installation of systems that involve people, materials, information, energy and equipment to provide efficient production of goods and services. To evaluate and work with these systems, knowledge and skills in the mathematical, physical, and social sciences are required. Industrial engineering activities form a bridge between management goals and operational performance. The industrial engineers are more concerned with increasing productivity through the management of people, methods of business organization, and technology than the engineers in other specialties, who generally work more with products or processes.
Industrial engineers are employed in multidisciplinary teams, and are usually concerned with the planning, installation, control and improvement of production activities. Such activities may include manufacturing, product innovation, provision of services, transportation, and organizational information flow. Industrial Engineers may seek employment in organizations such as government, manufacturing industry, research and consulting institutions, health care units, banks, insurance and utility companies