From Apple to Amazon, the world’s five largest companies by market cap are technology companies. But beyond the scions of Silicon Valley, nearly every industry is dependent on teams of engineers to provide high-tech solutions for everything from manufacturing assembly lines, to supply chain management and communications systems.
Who will lead these teams to success?
Ali Kucukozyigit, an assistant teaching professor of industrial engineering in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, is hard at work raising awareness of engineering management programs designed to train such leaders.
“To be successful today, companies must be able to swiftly adapt to both advances in technology and changes in customer needs,” Kucukozyigit says. “This adds another layer to an already challenging business dynamic. Good managers are essential, and this is where the engineering management role becomes important.”
Engineering management combines sharp technical skills, knowledge of manufacturing and strong business acumen to create leaders capable of guiding large teams through complex industrial scenarios.
As communications director for the American Society for Engineering Management, also known as the ASEM, Kucukozyigit is on the front lines of efforts underway to spread a critical message: Companies need team leaders who are qualified engineering managers, and engineers need training in key management techniques.
“If a company is not well suited to manage the technology component of its business and it responds slowly to change, the business is placed at risk,” Kucukozyigit says. “Solving for this requires managers with the technical and business skills to oversee engineering solutions.”
The ASEM is an international professional society founded in 1979 dedicated to advancing the field of engineering management. The society publishes a number of journals and hosts an annual conference, bringing together students, researchers, academics and industry professionals. For his service to the ASEM, Kucukozyigit recently received the 2024 Frank Woodbury Special Service Award.
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