Barry B. Flachsbart

Evaluating the Engineering Management Brand Meaning

Abstract: Engineering management is not a well understood discipline in the field of engineering, especially compared to more traditional engineering. A systematic approach to evaluating an academic brand meaning was developed using Kellers model of building a strong brand. This methodology was used in a case study to evaluate the current brand, meaning the oldest and largest engineering management department in the United States at the Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T, formerly the University of Missouri-Rolla). Results will aid the department and others in managing their brand as well as in general enrollment management by gathering an understanding of the departments brand meaning in the eyes of potential students and employers. Knowing the expectations of each will allow the department to better align itself to meet the needs of each market segment. The brand evaluation approach applied in this case study can also be used by other similar disciplines.

Collaborative international education: reaching across borders

Purpose – As international boundaries fade and financial pressures increase, universities are redefining the norm in educational models. The move from a synchronous classroom to a blended classroom or a completely asynchronous environment has forced faculty to be creative in delivery while overcoming complexities in the associated infrastructure. Furthermore, geographic boundaries have diminished, leaving universities seeking ways to reach out to growing student markets, such as South‐east Asia. However, this rapid international growth and nearly constant revision of delivery has raised serious questions regarding the maintenance of the quality and reputation of the institution. This is particularly challenging for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs requiring laboratory facilities, commercial software, and detailed, highly interactive theoretical analysis. The purpose of this paper is to describe the evolution, in the aforementioned environment, of a science, technology, eng...

Application of emerging technologies to improve supportability

Lower supportability cost is a major factor in procuring new aircraft and in affording the aircraft currently in inventory. This is a challenge in both the military and commercial sectors. This paper presents several initiatives at McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA) that address lower supportability costs. These include: quality and optimization techniques to provide a means to value and allocate diagnostic methods; analysis of flight data using machine learning to characterize and understand intermittent faults; development of a compact fuzzy logic engine for aircraft diagnostic applications; diagnosis of aircraft subsystems using neural networks. These applications and the underlying technologies are discussed. Research has shown that these new technologies can enhance current data analysis techniques and provide fresh insight into current diagnostic deficiencies and future support requirements. Once accurate support costs are determined for individual subsystems, an informed decision can be made on whether to add additional diagnostic capabilities to that subsystem, based on the projected benefits. This analysis might also show that only specific types of faults should be targeted by the additional diagnostics. Certain types of fault classes, such as intermittent wiring, have proven to be especially difficult to troubleshoot with current diagnostic methods and have led excessive customer support costs. MDA has demonstrated in the laboratory that new software techniques using neural networks and fuzzy logic can be used to provide more accurate diagnostic solutions.<<ETX>>

Computer aided structural analysis

Abstract A tutorial survey directed to the practicing engineer who is interested in computerized techniques for static and dynamic structural analysis. The discussion is directed to the general questions which occur in the application of computer aided analysis. Consideration is given to structural modeling, input preparation procedures, solutions algorithms, numerical errors, and output interpretation. The emphasis is on large general purpose programs and on establishing a definition of the current state of the art.

A refined cost-based approach to assembly scheduling

Increased emphasis on control of work-in-process costs in assembly scheduling of large, complex items leads to increased needs for aids to foremen in dealing with schedule changes. The task is complicated by constraints on resources that often require that activities are begun earlier than a just-in-time schedule would otherwise dictate. A criterion used in prototype tandem knowledge-based decision-aiding systems in the past was based on the assumption that investment costs do not compound. This can provide misleading choices in some cases. The present work refines the criterion previously used by including the compounding costs of holding subassemblies in inventory. A simplified version of the new formula is developed which provides simple rules for deciding which activities to start early if necessary. Numerical comparisons are made between the criteria.

Are the university computer sciences satisfying industry (Panel Discussion)

B a r r y B. F l a c h s b a r t M c D o n a l d-D o u g l a s A u t o m a t i o n Co.