Balancing engineering and management in construction education

Many of today’s construction projects require both complex technology and sophisticated management techniques. Experience prevails in the requirements for management positions, but appropriate education can assist prospective managers to maintain steep learning curves in rapidly acquiring this experience. The Business Roundtable’s study of construction education recommended increased emphasis at the graduate level. This paper describes a graduate program, including both technical and management elements, to prepare engineers beginning careers in construction. Although complete coverage of all suggested technical and managerial subjects is not possible in a single program, this proposal may assist in increasing discussion between educators and industry professionals regarding the relative priorities for background in the technology and the management systems required for construction careers. It may also assist prospective graduate students in selecting the mix of engineering and management courses which provide the best preparation for the construction career paths they choose.