Comprehensive approach to training specialists in the area of engineering education

Abstract

The article outlines advantages of applying a comprehensive approach to training specialists in the area of engineering education. Modern approaches to project management in production are analyzed, using the known experience of the European countries and the world. The basic tools of project management that are applied at all stages of implementation of engineering projects are described. Based on the analysis of known project management techniques, it has been established that effective engineering project management is possible by way of involving future professionals in the stages from developing the project idea, goals and objectives to obtaining the desired results and achieving the set goals. It is important to motivate students to think critically and encourage teamwork on a project. In the present article, the authors suggest to consider the process of training specialists in civil and industrial engineering through the prism of the next four phases of the project. The first phase is to prepare the project with elements of structuring. It addresses the issues of the project goals, tasks and results, risk management, project documentation, budgeting, formation and management of the project team. The second phase is project management, which includes drafting a project structural plan (PSP) and work packages, scheduling task completion, resources and costs planning, cost estimation, and time management tools. The third phase is the implementation of the project with control and monitoring. Here, future specialists are working on issues of the project control, financial monitoring, monitoring of resources, communication and interaction between teams, conflict management, change management and keeping necessary documentation. Completion of the project is the fourth stage, which is an integral element of project management. It provides for financial and analytical reporting, documentation for retention of experience, knowledge management, certification and feedback to the project team. Based on teaching practice and considerable practical experience in industry, the authors found out that the process of pedagogical training of future competitive specialists in various areas of civil and industrial engineering should be accompanied by practical and theoretical materials on modern tools for a holistic and integrated approach to project management. At the same time, taking account of the dynamics of political and economic changes in Ukraine and integration with international standards, it is necessary to take a skilled approach to the issue of production change management in the project activity. The global experience reveals that only truly successful organizations anticipate and initiate changes. Thus, the organizations themselves, their goals, objectives and tools are undergoing changes. And the issue of change management itself is the subject for further research by the authors.