Engineering Management: Personal and Knowledge Development

This report discusses personal and knowledge development in engineering management, including the importance of empathy, divergent and convergent thinking, and the elimination of biases. An action plan is also provided to increase communication, improve mind mapping, and build adaptability.

Running head: ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
Engineering Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................6
Personal Development...............................................................................................................6
Knowledge Development...........................................................................................................8
Action Plan.................................................................................................................................9
Goals..........................................................................................................................................9
Conclusion................................................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................12

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Blogs of 10 weeks
Week 1:
The week 1 introduced the concept of the design thinking. In addition to this it evaluated the
need of the design thinking in the organizational context. Along with the description of the
necessity of the design thinking, the lessons of the week was able correlate the concept of the
business with the design thinking processes. The lesson was able to specify the design
process as a detailed projection of the designer perspectives. The week’s assessment clarified
that the process is significantly helpful in effective planning of the events and is widely used
in the business context with the different forms like visualization of post-its.
Week 2:
The week’s lesson elaborates the different approaches of the design thinking process. The
assessment portrayed that the approaches are significantly dependent on the various sets of
skills and the problem solving ability. The assessment was significant in expressing the
excellence of the logic of reasoning. The week also introduced the concept of reflective
writing and the self-reflective aspect of the design thinking. The week’s assessment was clear
in acknowledging the different parts in the form of thinking back to activity, analysing the
activity and thinking the activity as a future reference. The week’s analysis also included a
detailed information on the blog and the reflective report.
Week 3:
The week’s assessment started with the identification of the problem as it is significantly
important to find out the problems in order to think of the solution so that the process does
not contain any sort of mistakes. In the week’s activity, the experience of spending a day at
the beach was achieved along with the precise observation at the other events following the
design thinking approaches. The week’s assessment contained concept of Visualization while

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it was experienced with the master program in the year 2050. The second activity of the week
included the description of the Persona.
Week 4:
In the week’s assessment, a brainstorming activity was conducted. The week’s assessment
clarified that it was a group creativity technique which was employed to find a solution to a
particular problem by obtaining large number of spontaneously contributed ideas from the
participants. In the second activity, a precise concept on the journey mapping was achieved.
The week’s assessment produced the concept of the journey mapping, which on the
organizational context, is considered to be the movement of the customer through the inquiry
for purchase, bargaining, evaluation of the cost in other business operation and placing the
order. The week’s lesson was clear in specifying that the journey mapping on the
organizational context helps the organization to keep a track of the customer’s movement.
Week 5:
The lessons of the week 5 is concentrated on the evaluation of the value chain and value
network. The assessment analysed the impact of the quality products, costs in the value
creation for an organization. It also described the origin of the total profit from the equation
of the total value added and the total cost. The analysis in the week 5 is significant in
prescribing the value network and the alternative VC diagram. Along with this, the
assessment was able to evaluate the value change analysis approaches. The week’s
assessment included mind mapping as the activity. The week’s lessons incorporated the
method in which the information is visually mapped. The method is known as Mind mapping.
Week 7:
This week’s assessment was concentrated on the design research where the assessment
specified that the qualitative approach us preferable over the quantitative as the qualitative

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contains detailed information regarding the research. Along with this the week’s assessment
included the description of the semi-culture and the panel discussion. Apart from this, the
lessons of this week included a brief discussion on the Delphi methods and the impact of it in
the research procedure. The Lesson also had a brief discussion on the Activity Ethics Group
Discussion and the Interview tips. Apart from that there was a video as well in order to
improve the design thinking concept in the form of visualization. The video consisted 21
changes which was not significantly worthy of noticing compared to the scenario. Along with
it, the activity of this week were the concept development with the application of DT tools.
Week 8:
The week’s learning concentrated on the understanding the effectiveness of prototyping and
the methods in which the appropriate operations of designing features might be executed in
order to solve the challenges with the generation of the effective solutions. The week’s
activities are significant in describing the manner in which the general issues can be
addressed through the application of the suitable models that are in accordance to the needs to
requirements of the business. Along with that the assessment of the week involved a detailed
discussion on the rapid prototyping, early prototyping and the latter rapid prototyping.
Week 9:
The Week’s assessment is significant in evaluating the impact of the different factors which
has high influence on the safe launch of the concept or idea with precise focus on the
concerns of the entrepreneur. The assessment of the week is able to describe that skills of the
functions of the designer is highly influential for the project. Apart from that the assessment
has major significance in increasing the skills of the designer’s observation in accordance to
needs of the customers.

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Week 10:
This week was solely dedicated on the recap of the lessons that were taught in the previous
weeks. It enabled the students to have a recap of the lessons which will help them in creating
notes of the practices that are important during the operations as an attentive designers. The
week’s analysis included the description of the responsibilities and skills along with the
approaches which are in need to be acknowledged by the designers. This was done with the
objective to portray the qualities of flawless designer.

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Reflective Report
Introduction
Design thinking as a concept comprises of the practice wherein issues are identified
by firms and then framing proper solutions to those problems so that they are able to provide
proper solutions to the clients (Birkeland, 2012). A number of steps and activities are
undertaken to reduce the impact of these problems. This framework is basically used by
designers to understand the patterns of problems faced by the clients and the taking the steps
of defining, prototyping and testing the issues so that they can be resolved efficiently.
This report is intended to investigate and find out the activities that will help in
acknowledging and increasing the different aspects of personal attributes and attributes that
help in personal development. In this report a number of shortcomings and deficits will also
be pointed out. Further, the deficits and shortcomings are worked upon and improved by the
framing and implementation of an action plan. The report is prepared with the objective of
investigating and identifying the different strengths and weaknesses of the individual who is
trying to perform the role of a designer which essentially involves his skills in understanding
and evaluating the needs and demand patterns of the clients as well as the decision making
skills of the individual.
Personal Development
There are a lot of challenges and barriers facing a designer while one tries to work as
per the demands and needs of the customers is what I have asserted over time. The most
important and major barrier which has affected me personally is the concept of language
barriers. In this context the communication gap initiated due to different reasons can be
efficiently overcome by the usage of the features of empathy (Moultrie & Livesey, 2014).
Studies assert that the implementation of empathy can help in easily understanding the

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customer’s wants and also finding out a feasible solution to their individual needs and
problems. This feeling of empathy can be arrived at easily by placing oneself in the position
of the entrepreneur of the country. In this respect, the identification of the issues faced by the
entrepreneur is important as it will easily help to correlate these with the problems as well as
the needs of the customers so that efficient and effective solutions that address both can be
arrived at. Further in this context, understanding the needs of the entrepreneurs also becomes
very important and this course has helped me to gather enough knowledge about the same.
Studies assert that the implementation of divergent and convergent thinking methods
also helps in bolstering the design being used and implemented. A change in the
organisational and operational structure of the firms is also sometimes very important for
addressing the specific needs and changing demand patterns of the customers. Innovative
power and the technologic al innovations applied and used to solve these problems is also
extremely important (Velu, 2015). This is so because these systems help in providing the
fastest and most advanced solutions to the problems identified in the first place. I have been
able to figure out and understand the issues and problem s faced by the entrepreneurs as I was
exposed to a scenario where the method of brainstorming was used to effectively arrive at
solutions to problems being faced by understanding and evaluating the relevant positioning of
the business. As a matter of fact, using logical reasoning to find answers to problems has also
been a very good method for me to arrive at proper and valid solutions.
This module has also helped me to understand the most important and crucial values
that enable designers to achieve targets in an easier manner and provide enhanced solutions at
the very same time. It has also taught me to use the non-linear designing structure and
frameworks so that the variables and attributes can be modified as per the needs of the
clients.

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Knowledge Development
The most important concept that I have learnt and tried to use is the concept of
application of flexibility in catering to the changing needs and demand patterns of the clients.
It is important to follow a two-way approach in which the designer has to efficiently perform
efficient brainstorming coupled with use of empathy. This fulfils majority of the diverse
needs of the clients by providing a transparent understanding of the psyche of the clients. It is
equally crucial to eliminate the biases while carrying out the process of brainstorming and
logical reasoning which I have learnt as a part of this course. This was taught and practically
explained by inducing the problems of the client in the manner of brainstorming being under
taken. This in turn will help the operations to be run and monitored successfully by the
operations managers.
Further, it is of utmost importance that the no sense of judgment governs the process
of decision making and formulation of the framework on the part of the designer as this will
cause prejudices to hamper the presentation of the best solution to the consumers (Sonnessa,
2015). I have able to both identify and understand the different forms and kinds of biases that
might prevent the designer from building efficient designing solutions. With the existence of
biases and prejudices, the needs of the customer will neither be met nor will the firm be able
to garner customer trust and satisfaction which will adversely impact the firm in the long run
as the sustainability of the firm will be affected.
One of the different parts of the module has helped to understand the various
processes and methods that can help in eliminating and mitigating the problems faced by the
customers and the clients. I9 have personally understood these processes through the process
of exemplification that was used as a part of the module. These lessons have also helped me
to understand the various the communication and aesthetics procedures that can also help
bolster the process of understanding of the needs and issues faced by the consumers. I have

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also learnt that the process of change management through the use of technology and
innovation is very important in dealing with existing circumstances in an effective manner. I
was also exposed to the various disruptive and forging models that are used for these
purposes. Essentially, I have learnt that with the amalgamation of proper techniques of
designing and use of innovative most of the radical changes can be implemented in any
organisation.
Action Plan
The complete action plan is divided into four different subcategories. It is then
described in this section of the report.
Goals
1. Building and increasing the amount of communication
Activities –
 Composing questionnaires to increase communication
 Increasing client interaction
 Following the approach of empathy application
 Recording issues
Timeframe – 4-5 months
Rationale – Increasing the amount of communication carried out by the designers with the
consumers. Identification of the issues and problems faced by the consumers so that they can
be solved and addressed by the designers based on the needs of the client.
2. Mind mapping efficiently

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Activities –
 Figuring out the major objectives to be solved as per the issues identified
 Formulating alternative solutions to the issues identified
 Using the method of prototyping to identify the best possible solution
 Evaluating and describing the scope of the issue based on the context of the major
issues identified by the designer
Timeframe – 3-7 months
Rationale –Using the method and concepts of brainstorming and logical reasoning in which
mind mapping is effectively used to understand how innovative methods can be used to
address the issues of the clients. The use of mapping will be effectively used to map the
requirements of the entrepreneur as well as the client.
3. Building a method for increasing the total adaptability level
Activities –
 The focus is to identify and find out the various issues and problems being faced by
the entrepreneur and build frameworks and formulas that will help in providing
solutions to these issues
 Getting well acquainted and familiarised with the concepts and issue sof the
entrepreneurs particularly
Timeframe – 9-12 months
Rationale – The use of flexible non-linear frameworks and adaptive mind set on the part of
the designer to tactfully handle problems both in the side of the entrepreneur and the clients.
The aim is to better relate and understand the position of the client in comparison to the
positioning of the firm at large. This will require the mindset of the designer to align towards

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the needs and requirements of both the clients and the entrepreneurs so that use of effective
and innovated technology is possible.
Conclusion
In order to conclude, I can assert that on reflection I have found that this module has
provided with a lot of knowledge and exposure regarding the operations and systems that
help in efficiently running a business organisation. I have learnt how to use the
methodologies of prototyping with the help of this module. The action plan provided in this
report helps to better portray the approach that is to be taken for solving the designing
problems. Essentially, designing can help in removing most problems faced by firms.

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References
Birkeland, J. (2012). Design blindness in sustainable development: from closed to open
systems design thinking. Journal of urban design, 17(2), 163-187.
Moultrie, J., & Livesey, F. (2014). Measuring design investment in firms: Conceptual
foundations and exploratory UK survey. Research Policy, 43(3), 570-587.
Sonnessa, M. (2015). Bottom-Up Approach to Process and Organization Designing of
Consulting Firms. In Agent-based Models of the Economy (pp. 118-130). Palgrave
Macmillan, London.
Velu, C. (2015). Business model innovation and third-party alliance on the survival of new
firms. Technovation, 35, 1-11.