History
At the 1995 American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) Annual Conference held during September in Washington, D.C., Dr. Greg Sedrick, ASEM Member and then professor (now Acting Dean) in the College of Engineering Computer Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, presented an idea for using the Internet as a information resource and distribution medium for what he referred to as a "virtual engineering management (EM) handbook." This virtual EM handbook, once developed, was envisioned to place a variety of EM "resources" at the ready disposal of practicing engineering managers, engineering management researchers, policy makers, and analysts. EM resources were to consist of information (principles, best practices, 'how to' methodologies, lessons learned, etc.) and specialized problem-solving software tools of interest to users.

Dr. Sedrick cited the following reasons for why ASEM should take the lead in developing a virtual EM handbook:

(1) the need for a resource tailored to EM practitioners and other users of EM information;

(2) to express ASEM's position in matters involving engineering management and to achieve recognition as THE subject matter expert in the field of engineering management;

(3) to further advance ASEM influence on policy and processes in the field of engineering management; and

(4) to have control over handbook content and content evolution.

Although some members expressed their reservations about "taking on a project of sizable magnitude," all agreed that a virtual EM Handbook would be a worthy endeavor.

Also presented at the 1995 ASEM Annual Conference was the status of prior work performed by some of Dr. Sedrick's graduate students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Their collective output resulted in a preliminary listing of potential EM handbook subjects that served as input for the virtual EM Handbook Table of Contents.

"No one is as smart as all of us..."

A PROJECT UNDERGOING CONTINUOUS UPDATE

SUBMISSIONS WELCOMED!

Send your questions, comments, and suggestions regarding the EM Handbook project to EM Handbook Project Coordinator: Bill Peterson, Old Dominion University

You may communicate directly with Oversight Committee members, noting the individual committee member's e-mail address, and sending in your comments.