Continuous process improvement methodologies applied to an engineering education system

Abstract: Engineering education is considered to be a system. Most engineering education systems are under pressure to meet the demands set by its government. While a costly student throughput increase is possible, continuous improvement of the education system at all levels will be a more feasible and realistic approach. Within the operation management community a multitude of process improvement champions are competing for the attention of managers (and/or organisation leaders). Each champion advocates the adoption of their improvement methodology. Almost all plead that if one can adopt their specific tools or follow a specific way of thinking; all operation problems can be solved. Most managers (leaders) are however still confused to select the best process the best process improvement methodology for their situation or system’s culture. In this research study several process improvement methodologies were evaluated and related to issues in an engineering education system. The objective is to support heads of an engineering education system with strategic operation decisions to meet future demands. Working through the apparent conflicting claims of performance improvement programs, it was found to be critical to concentrate on the primary and secondary effects of these programs. Although each improvement methodology can contribute valuable approaches to an engineering education system, it is still found to be a challenge for leaders to define quality education and set targets for continuous improvements. The finding of this study illustrates that the various continuous improvement process methodologies can be utilised at various levels of the engineering education system (i.e. lecture, HOD, HOS). In order to fully maximise the effectiveness of the improvement methodology the system must also be transformed from the traditional engineering education system to a more innovative system which includes process improvement as part of its culture.M.Ing. (Engineering Management