Publication Date

Spring 2021

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Bashar Haddad (Director), Mark Revels, and Asghar Rezasoltani

Degree Program

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

This research has demonstrated how Visual Management (VM) can be used in an engineering environment to improve engineering resource utilization. Furthermore, it reduces the administrative time associated with unclear project scope, schedule, budget, and task alignment amongst engineers and project leadership. The research references a case study in which low engineering utilization was directly impacting overall project success. Inconsistent visibility of scheduled engineering activities, changes in tasking, and project metrics created uncertainty and resulted in greater than appropriate administrative time. The methodology used was to implement visual project management tools and track engineer utilization over two years. Quarterly utilization results for the engineering staff were captured from January 2017 thru June 2020 and used to show resulting trends and statistical analysis of results. This research has shown clear and consistent improvement from the point of visual management implementation and has sustained improved performance over the last 1.5 years of the research period. Moreover, two statistical t-tests were used to show if the research rejects or accepts the null hypothesis that there was zero statistical difference to utilization or administrative time burdens before and after implementing the visual management tools. Lastly, survey results from the engineers included as participants provided the qualitative data needed to support the research conclusion and quantitative analysis.

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Management Information Systems | Other Engineering

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