BYU MET

Competencies of Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MET) Graduates

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The Manufacturing Engineering Technology program at BYU prepares graduates to increase the productivity of American manufacturing industries. To accomplish this objective each graduate will acquire the following twelve attributes. Assessment of the graduate's proficiency in the twelve attributes will be assessed by their performance in the numbered competencies supporting each attribute.

1. Leadership

   Attribute: The ability to develop a vision and lead a team or an organization to new heights.

   Description: An effective leader must have both short- and long-term vision that stretches capabilities yet is achievable. Leaders can assess the current situation, visualize opportunities for improvement and show others how to get there. Leaders are inspired and are able to inspire others to embrace a vision and motivate them to succeed. A good leader is able to orchestrate the effort of others to achieve a common goal. This includes mentoring, coaching and teaching. An effective leader has good negotiation and facilitation skills for resolving conflict and gaining consensus including selling ideas. Finally, a good leader is one who leads by example.

   Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Lead a team in the performance of an activity or project.
   2. Develop a strategic plan.
   3. Build relationships to gain support and commitment of others.
   4. Effectively sell a plan or idea to others.
   5. Plan and conduct a productive meeting.
   6. Anticipate the impact of business decisions on the economy, the environment, personal well being, etc.

2. Professionalism

   Attribute: High ethical values, good work habits and on-going development of relevant knowledge and skills.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals uphold high moral standards including honesty, truthfulness, kindness, compassion, respect and duty. Principles of ethical behavior are followed at all times and never compromised by expediency, convenience or other pressures (economic. peer. etc.). Work habits and personal conduct reflect these moral values and show a commitment to excellence including the development of good work habits such as neatness, orderliness and punctuality. Personal deficiencies are continually addressed through ongoing education and personal improvement.

   Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Be truthful, honest, trustworthy, responsible and considerate in all situations.
   2. Complete work in a timely manner with high quality.
   3. Keep a neat and orderly appearance and work environment.
   4. Stay current in technical fields, involved in professional organizations, and certified or licensed if appropriate.
   5. Confront problems forcefully but civilly.

3. Creativity and Problem Solving

   Attribute: The ability to see problems from multiple and new perspectives and generate innovative solutions.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals are resourceful and innovative making the best use of the time, materials and talents at hand. The most innovative solutions to problems come when one is able to identify underlying relationships between seemingly diverse situations and borrow or adapt solutions from them. Creativity often requires one to take risks and try solutions that are novel and unproven. It is important to channel creative energies to come up with solutions that are likely to succeed and provide the best benefits.

   Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

   1. See new and creative ways to achieve an objective (think outside the box).
   2. Utilize effectively the tools of creativity.
   3. Draw analogies and comparisons using both breadth and depth of knowledge to identify and evaluate alternative solutions to a problem.
   4. Use modeling, statistical and other analysis techniques for problem solving.
   5. Analyze the cause-and-effect relationships of a problem to find the root causes.
   6. Implement a chosen solution to a problem.

4. Management

   Attribute: The ability to plan, organize, staff and control projects and processes.

   Description: Success on the job is largely a function of how well one is able to work as part of a team in developing and carrying out project and process plans. Manufacturing professionals work as part of a technical or project team to develop and execute a work plan. This includes prioritizing, communicating, allocating resources, scheduling, and follow up. Many software tools and planning techniques have been developed to aid in planning and management. Managers participate in the selection, evaluation, and growth of their employees.

   Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Use software and other tools to develop and execute a project or process plan.
   2. Determine resource requirements (personnel, equipment, time, budget, etc.) for executing a plan.
   3. Justify capital equipment expenditures and be responsible for make-or-buy decisions.
   4. Effectively deploy resources in carrying out a plan.
   5. Monitor and assess progress and performance and take appropriate corrective action when necessary.
   6. Keep team members and other stakeholders informed of progress and problems.
   7. Assess performance of employees and facilitate their progress.

5. Materials

   Attribute: An understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of engineering materials.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals must understand how various engineering materials behave both in the elastic and plastic regions of the stress-strain diagram.

   Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Select appropriate materials for tooling and for products.
   2. Assess the effects of manufacturing processes on material properties.
   3. best utilize the machinability, formability and weldability of various materials.
   4. Specify treatments affecting the property and structure relationships of materials.
   5. work effectively with material supply chain issues such as cost, availability, and delivery.

6. Processes

   Attribute: An understanding of manufacturing processes and their applications.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals understand the capabilities and limitations of many manufacturing processes.

   Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Select appropriate processes and equipment based on their capabilities and economics.
   2. Analyze a part print for manufacturability.
   3. Document a processing sequence to economically meet product specifications.
   4. Select appropriate tooling and machine settings (feeds, speeds, temperatures, pressures, etc.).
   5. Analyze and select appropriate clamping and locating surfaces.
   6. Utilize appropriate manufacturing software including, CAD/CAM, CNC, etc.
   7. Prepare process operation instructions.

7. Quality

   Attribute: A commitment to quality and an ability to effectively measure and improve product and process quality.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals appreciate the importance of quality in products and processes and are competent in quality improvement methods such as Six Sigma. This includes assessing the expectations of the customer, evaluating current quality levels, identifying potential areas of improvement, understanding how to apply continuous improvement tools and techniques, and coordinating implementation of improvement efforts.

   Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Assess the nature, types, and impact of variation.
   2. Use the basic instruments of metrology and determine the capability of measurement systems.
   3. Achieve high quality in manufacturing systems through proven management methodologies.
   4. Apply appropriate test and inspection procedures for evaluating product and process quality.
   5. Conduct capability studies and design, conduct and evaluate experiments.
   6. Set up a quality control system including SPC.
   7. Comply with national and international regulatory standards and certifications.

8. Systems

   Attribute: An understanding of the dynamics of manufacturing systems and supply chains and how to effectively configure systems for efficient manufacture and delivery.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals understand system dynamics including the effect of interdependencies and variability on system performance. They are familiar with various production planning and control techniques and how they are implemented. They are also familiar with supply-chain planning and management.

   Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Understand system dynamics and predict the performance of given manufacturing system configurations.
   2. Effectively integrate processing, material handling and flow of information.
   3. Implement lean manufacturing principles in a manufacturing system.
   4. Analyze and specify requirements for automated controls.
   5. Set up an appropriate production control system with a feedback loop.
   6. Manage a supply chain including international constituents.

9. Design

   Attribute: The ability to effectively design tooling and facilities and to participate on product-design teams to meet a set of requirements and constraints.

   Description: Design is an iterative process. Manufacturing professionals regularly apply their creativity and engineering know how to improve products and processes. They follow the basic design process of needs analysis, conceptual design, detailed design, implementation, and assessment. They are able to deal with open ended problems and loosely-defined objectives. They must coordinate their efforts with users, stakeholders and other team members. They address all aspects of design related to manufacturing. They effectively document and communicate design decisions, status and details.

   Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Clearly identify the requirements and constraints to be met by a design considering all stakeholders.
   2. Develop specifications that accurately reflect these requirements and constraints.
   3. Understand and apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly principles.
   4. Use problem solving and other analysis techniques to predict performance and to find optimum design solutions.
   5. Transform a solution concept into a final detailed design.
   6. Make effective use of CAD and related design tools.

10. Communication

    Attribute: The ability to effectively communicate.

    Description: Communication is vital to a well functioning business or organization. Communication is a two way process involving both listening and expressing thoughts and information. Manufacturing professionals are proactive in communication at many levels to ensure that information is properly reported and that feedback is being received. Familiarity with the use of modern communication technology is vital.

    Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

    1. Demonstrate good writing skills in memos, proposals and specifications.
    2. Effectively use charts, graphs, media, and other visual aids.
    3. Give an effective and persuasive oral presentation.
    4. Know when and how much information to share with others.
    5. Know when to seek for feedback and guidance.
    6. Know and use modern means of communication.
    7. Use appropriate business etiquette.

11. Global Awareness

    Attribute: Competence with respect to the issues, challenges and opportunities in today's global manufacturing environment.

    Description: Knowledge about and experience in globalization has become a critical attribute of leaders in industry. The growth of multinational companies, the outsourcing of manufacturing around the globe, and the importance of participation in global markets requires manufacturing engineers be knowledgeable about how the emerging global strategies impact their businesses and lives. Graduates' awareness of global issues should be focused enough to address company-specific issues yet broad enough to understand overall impact on their own organization and on countries in which they do business.

    Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

    1. Comprehend the challenges of global supply chains.
    2. Develop competencies in the operation of international manufacturing.
    3. Acquire an understanding of diverse cultures, perceptions, expectations, and professional practices.
    4. Understand advantages and disadvantages and contribute in decisions regarding global markets and off-shore manufacturing.
    5. Understand the critical role manufacturing plays in the development and stability of a country and society.

12. Safety and Environmental Issues

    Attribute: Commitment to and competency in safety and environmental issues related to manufacturing.

    Description: Environmental issues in manufacturing are important for ethical, financial and legal reasons. World-class companies place safety programs at the top of their priority list. Manufacturing professionals understand why safety is critical to successful operations and they are ready to contribute to this effort. They understand the impact of their operations on the environment, both within the plant and in the surrounding community.

    Competencies: Graduates will be able to:

    1. Identify safety hazards in a plant shop floor or a lab setting.
    2. Handle emergency situations involving hazardous materials or a fire.
    3. Understand the importance of human health and safety in the workplace.
    4. Apply ergonomic principles and industrial hygiene practices to their workplace.
    5. Understand the demands of federal and state environmental regulations relating to their operation.
    6. Appreciate and minimize negative effects of manufacturing on the environment, even when this effort goes beyond the required standards.