Tips for Engineering Managers

By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Despite the widespread availability of data and facts, myths abound in the workplace. For instance, take the misconception that experienced engineers would rather have a regular, full-time job than work on a contract basis. In fact, nearly 86 percent of independent workers indicate they are highly satisfied or satisfied with their work […]

By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Despite the best efforts of project teams and managers, most engineering projects don’t finish on time. The problem isn’t a lack of planning, but poor execution says Mark Woeppel, founder and president of Pinnacle Strategies International, a management consulting firm that specializes in rescuing troubled projects. “Even the best project plan can’t […]

By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Of course you need great people skills and a sufficient amount of technical knowledge to guide an engineering team. But elite managers have mastered more than the basics. They insist that proficient managers can become highly effective by following their tips. No. 1: Share credit and shoulder blame. When things go well, […]

By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Acclimating to a new environment can be stressful, even for veteran engineering contractors. Soothe your frazzled nerves and get off on the right foot by following these tips. No.1: Understand your manager’s expectations Avoid false starts and hasty exits by clarifying your duties and responsibilities from the outset. Hint: Your manager’s priorities […]

By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Some engineering mangers favor traditional ice-breakers like: “Tell me about yourself,” or “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Others ask insightful questions to assess an engineering contractor’s cultural fit and their technical skills as well as their ability to handle a particular project during an interview. “I never ask superficial questions,” says […]

By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman It’s ten o’clock on a weekday morning – do you know where your engineers are? Between client meetings, site visits and conferences, your team is constantly on the go. It’s no wonder that managers are always looking for new and better ways to keep roaming professionals in the loop. As David Clemons, […]

By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Did you know that co-worker relationships play the greatest role in determining on-the-job happiness – even more than financial compensation? In fact, 91 percent of engineers say they want to meet their prospective peers during the interview process, while only 73 percent say it’s important to meet the CEO. Peer interviews actually […]

Sell the merits of your project to win the services of hot engineering contractors By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman With the market for engineering talent heating up, an experienced contractor may have several irons in the fire by the time they meet with you. In fact, a remarkable 86 percent of IT/engineering workers who participated in a […]

How to Keep Your Contract Engineers on Task and Performing      By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Contractor performance is critical to delivering engineering projects on-time and on-budget. However, even highly talented veterans may veer off course when they’re unfamiliar with the environment and the engineering process. “Inevitably, there’s something missing from the requirements,” notes project management […]

By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman It’s so hard to find industrial engineers in Houston, that veteran contractors command premium pay. Meanwhile, miles away in Detroit, automakers are letting employees bring their dogs to work in order to keep high flying Silicon Valley firms from poaching prized engineers. There’s no empirical evidence of a general shortage of engineers, […]