Management of Technology : Managing Effectively in Technology-Intensive Organizations [Hardcover]

Hans J. Thamhain (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0471415510 | ISBN-13: 978-0471415510 | Edition: 2

* Presents assessment methods for organization and management processes.
* Provides special tools and techniques for managing and organizing R&D, new product, and project-oriented challenges.
* Includes real-world case studies.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

An updated revision of the bestselling leadership book for engineering and technology managers

Knowledge of modern technology management concepts and best practices provides the foundation for effective job performance in technology-driven business environments. Management of Technology discusses cutting-edge management concepts, tools, and techniques that effectively work in today's technology-intensive organizations.

New management tools and techniques play an increasingly important role in every organization for creating quality products, services, and content faster, cheaper, and at a higher quality. Technology crosses virtually all levels and all disciplines of an enterprise. Therefore, the principles of managing technology are relevant not only to people in the traditional engineering-scientific community, but also apply to any organization and business that must effectively deal with the application, integration, and transfer of technology. Financial institutions, government agencies, architectural firms, and healthcare providers are just a few examples of the vast array of organizations that must function effectively in technology-based environments, and therefore be able to manage technology. Specifically, this book features:

• Methods for assessing the effectiveness and performance of the organization and its management processes
• Insight into the functioning of contemporary work processes, such as concurrent engineering, design-build, integrated product development, and phase-gate processes
• Special tools and techniques for effectively managing technology-based projects, including dealing with organizational interfaces from R&D to markets
• Discussion of real-world field studies, cases, and best practices
• Emphasis on people issues, such as leadership, teamwork, communications, and commitment, throughout the book

Management of Technology is a complete reference book, invaluable for managers and professionals in technology-intensive business environments.

About the Author

HANS J. THAMHAIN, PhD, is Professor of Management and Director of the Technology and Project Management Programs at Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. His industrial experience includes twenty years in high-technology management positions at GTE/Verizon, General Electric, Westinghouse, and ITT. Well known for his research on project team leadership, he is the author of more than seventy research papers and five professional reference books on project and technology management. In 2000, he received the IEEE Engineering Management Society's Engineering Manager of the Year Award.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (May 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471415510
• ISBN-13: 978-0471415510
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #815,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring!, October 21, 2007

By 

kalmia (Traverse City, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Management of Technology : Managing Effectively in Technology-Intensive Organizations (Hardcover)

This book has little to recommend it in my opinion.

He needs an editor--badly. It has a multiplicity of typos, which I find distracting. He defines jargon with more jargon. He cites his own work more than anyone else's. It's information-like but not really informative. When I finish reading a chapter, I don't feel like I've gotten one solid idea out of it. [Unfortunately I have to read it for a class I'm taking.]

The design of the book adds to its lack of readability.

The stories at the beginning of each chapter are interesting but he didn't write them.

My advice: Save your time and money. Approach management from the standpoint of commonsense and treat your employees the way you would want to be treated.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First rate management textbook, May 21, 2007

By 

N. Holmes - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Management of Technology : Managing Effectively in Technology-Intensive Organizations (Hardcover)

For a textbook on what is a fairly dry subject this is surprisingly readable, with complex ideas discussed in a lucid and informative manner. The author addresses a wide range of topics under the umbrella of Management of Technology, from theories of motivation to the Request for Quote process, along the way covering project organization, the impact of new technology and tools for planning and controlling project work. Many references are provided for further study, should the reader wish to delve deeper into the academic underpinnings of the book.

Particular highlights are sections on motivation of technology specialists, organizing for project work (with emphasis on the plusses and minuses of matrix approaches) and project management tools. The discussion on why project managers don't use all the tools available is especially thought provoking.

There is some padding (the chapters on managing environmental quality and using consultants don't add much) and too many typos, some of which do change the author's meaning, but overall this will be a useful reference for anyone who manages engineers and scientists or is studying engineering management.

3.0 out of 5 stars Some Good Material, March 17, 2010

By 

S. Anderson "S. Anderson" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Management of Technology : Managing Effectively in Technology-Intensive Organizations (Hardcover)

Had this book for a class in 2010. Much of the material is outdated, and stale. It has some good information, but an updated version would be better at this point.