Engineering Your Future

About the Authors ix

Preface xii

Engineering spotlights: at a glance xiv   

Part 1 Introduction to engineering 1

Chapter 1 What is engineering? 2

Introduction 3

1.1 What is the role of an engineer? 4

1.2 Engineering disciplines 7

1.3 The core skills and attributes of an engineer 17

1.4 Engineering science 23

1.5 The impact of engineering on society and national identity 24

1.6 Professionalism, certification and ethical practice in engineering 35

Summary 37

Key terms 37

Exercises 38

Project activity 39

References 39

Acknowledgements 41

Chapter 2 The engineering method 43

Introduction 44

2.1 The engineering method 45

2.2 Systems thinking 56

2.3 Project management 59

2.4 The life cycle of an engineering asset 68

2.5 Critical thinking 73

Summary 80

Key terms 81

Exercises 81

Project activity 82

References 82

Acknowledgements 84

Part 2 Engineering in society 85

Chapter 3 Sustainable engineering 86

Introduction 87

3.1 What is ecologically sustainable development (ESD)? 89

3.2 Strategies for practising sustainable engineering 96

3.3 Environmentally sustainable engineering 102

3.4 Socially sustainable engineering 109

3.5 Economically sustainable engineering 116

Summary 120

Key terms 121

Exercises 122

Project activity 123

References 123

Acknowledgements 126

Chapter 4 Professional responsibility and ethics 127

Introduction 128

4.1 Professional responsibility: standards and professional liability 129

4.2 Work health and safety (WHS) and personal liability 132

4.3 Engineering ethics 137

4.4 Ethical theories 142

4.5 Common ethical dilemmas in engineering 146

4.6 Macro ethics 153

4.7 Culture and corruption 154

Summary 158

Key terms 159

Exercises 160

Project activity 161

References 161

Acknowledgements 162

Part 3 Professional skills 163

Chapter 5 Self-management 164

Introduction 165

5.1 Understanding self 167

5.2 What motivates you? 171

5.3 Developing your skills 177

5.4 Self-management skills 180

5.5 Life-long learning 182

5.6 Reviewing your performance 196

Summary 200

Key terms 201

Exercises 201

Project activity 202

References 202

Acknowledgements 204

Chapter 6 Working with people 207

Introduction 208

6.1 Collaborating with others 209

6.2 Working in groups 215

6.3 Meetings 226

6.4 Negotiation 237

6.5 Dispute resolution 242

Summary 244

Key terms 245

Exercises 245

Project activity 246

References 246

Acknowledgements 247

Part 4 Communication 249

Chapter 7 Understanding communication 250

Introduction 251

7.1 What is communication? 253

7.2 Communication theories and models 256

7.3 Communication contexts 263

7.4 Communication methods 274

7.5 Communication roles 279

Summary 284

Key terms 285

Exercises 285

Project activity 286

References 286

Acknowledgements 287

Chapter 8 Communication skills 289

Introduction 290

8.1 Verbal communication skills 295

8.2 Formal verbal communication 300

8.3 Written communication skills 308

8.4 Visual communication 315

Summary 331

Key terms 331

Exercises 332

References 332

Acknowledgements 333

Part 5 Applying the engineering method 335

Chapter 9 Information skills 336

Introduction 337

9.1 Data, information and knowledge 340

9.2 Identifying information needs 349

9.3 Locating and retrieving information 353

9.4 Evaluating information and information sources 370

9.5 Integrating, managing and using information 374

9.6 Citing and referencing 380

Summary 383

Key terms 384

Exercises 384

Project activity 384

References 386

Acknowledgements 387

Chapter 10 Engineering design 389

Introduction 390

10.1 Design = problem solving 391

10.2 Systems thinking 394

10.3 Generating alternative solutions 410

Summary 423

Key terms 423

Exercises 424

Project activity 424

References 425

Acknowledgements 427

Chapter 11 Evaluating options 429

Introduction 430

11.1 Evaluating solutions — economics 430

11.2 Technical feasibility 442

11.3 Mathematical modelling in design 445

Summary 451

Key terms 451

Exercises 451

Project activity 452

References 453

Acknowledgements 453

Chapter 12 Engineering decision making 455

Introduction 456

12.1 Engineering decision making 456

12.2 Complexity 459

12.3 Team-based decision making 460

12.4 Reviewing key decision-making criteria 466

12.5 Decision support systems, tools and techniques 469

Summary 481

Key terms 481

Exercises 482

Project activity 482

References 482

Acknowledgements 483

Chapter 13 Managing engineering projects 485

Introduction 486

13.1 Understanding project management 487

13.2 Planning the stages of an engineering project 495

13.3 Creating a risk-management plan 510

13.4 Developing a knowledge management plan 515

13.5 Quality management and its relationship to project management 518

Summary 524

Key terms 524

Exercises 525

Project activity 526

References 526

Acknowledgements 527

Chapter 14 Communicating information 529

Introduction 530

14.1 Three communication contexts 532

14.2 Planning a communication 536

14.3 Writing in the engineering workplace 542

14.4 Technical presentations 564

14.5 Visual communication 566

14.6 Integrating AI into engineering communications 576

Summary 582

Key terms 583

Exercises 583

Project activity 583

References 583

Acknowledgements 585

Part 6 Planning your career 587

Chapter 15 Your engineering future 588

Introduction 589

15.1 Engineering to meet future global challenges 590

15.2 Engineering and globalisation 600

15.3 Futuristic engineering: emerging fields 604

15.4 An engineering career 609

Summary 614

Key terms 614

Exercises 615

Project activity 616

References 616

Acknowledgements 618

Index 619