A quality model for education in engineering and technology management

Summary form only given. The principles of total quality management (TQM) and a simple process model combined to provide a system which can be used to improve the overall quality of the education and training of managers in the engineering and technology fields. A simple control model which can be very useful to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of an education-programme is discussed. The effectiveness, efficiency, added value, potentiality and entrance gap are concepts measured for the programme. The efficiency can be measured as the fraction of the students that passed. By playing around with standards it is not difficult to manipulate this ratio. The incoming “material” is a broad spectrum of individuals and although entrance requirements are set, you really don´t know what you really get. All qualified engineers cannot necessarily become good managers and we have to filter them out before they enter into a management course. We must strive for the ideal by a more strict selection process. The latest technology is not necessarily the most effective or efficient. Standardisation of the training processes and measuring (or estimating) the parameters and can form a basis for continuous improvement. The real success of universities lies in the “product” they deliver to industry and society. By using quality principles the education of engineering managers can be improved