ENMA
6040: Lean Systems
Student
Outcomes
This
class is designed to produce the following student outcomes (derived from ABET
A-K):
1. Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and
engineering: Students will apply knowledge of engineering
to model systems, evaluate flow, waste, and work-in-process problems, and
recommend improvements and improvement metrics.
2. Design and conduct experiments, and analyze
and interpret data: Students will use existing information on
systems to form simulation models, and will analyze and interpret information
in support of improvement recommendations and improvement metrics.
3. Design a system, component, or process to
meet needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental,
social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and
sustainability: The primary educational
objectives of this course relate to lean-based improvement of systems per
the qualifiers cited in this student outcome.
4. Function on multi-disciplinary teams:
As an element of the Masters Degree in Engineering Management Program, this
course is attended by students from several graduate programs within the
university, most of whom are part-time evening students coming from a wide
variety of jobs. A significant portion
of the student’s grade in this course is determined by participation on a
project team. As a result of the diverse
student demographic of the course and heavy emphasis on student team projects
(50% the students grade), the course provides significant experience
functioning on a multi-disciplinary team.
5. Identify, formulate, and solve engineering
problems: The primary educational
objectives of this course involve identification of flow, waste, and
work-in-process problems in manufacturing systems, and recommendation of
improvements and improvement metrics.
6. Understand professional and ethical
responsibility: While the analysis and improvement of systems
pursued in this course emphasizes cost, quality, and delivery improvements,
significant attention is placed on the potentially positive impact that lean
approaches have on professional and ethical workforce management.
7. Communicate effectively:
All homework assignment solutions are presented in class by
students. Student project teams present
oral project deliverable updates and final oral presentations.
8. Understand the impact of engineering
solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context:
The global context and impact of lean system implementation is a
fundamental element of this course.
9. Recognition of the need for, and an ability
to engage in life-long learning: All Engineering Management program courses
provide overviews of key topics relevant to the perspective, new, and
practicing engineering manager. The
overviews are designed to provide the student with base-level knowledge,
skills, and experience that enable and motivate the student to pursue specific
elements that are relevant to their management environment. Specifically, this course supports SME/ASM
lean certification.
10.
Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues: While lean
systems have demonstrated benefits in a wide range of industries, businesses,
and applications, this is not a universally accepted or applicable
paradigm. The suitability and ability to
transition to lean approaches is a critical contemporary issue for business and
industry.
11.
Use the techniques, skills, and tools necessary for engineering practice:
“Lean thinking” is composed of a wide range of techniques, skills, and
tools that have been proven to be extremely effective in improving the
performance of manufacturing systems.
This course coupled with Engineering Management courses in design for
six sigma, project management, and system analysis form the essential tool set
for engineering managers.