Sustainability Requires a New, Broader Systems Perspective

Transcription

1 Partnering with Sustainable Industries for Competency-based Curriculum Development Carl Vieth and Marty Gustafson University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Engineering Professional Development Sustainability Requires a New, Broader Systems Perspective 2 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 1

2 Today s Talk Outline the new sustainable systems engineering program development process Discuss the value of competencymodeling Show the creation of a sustainability competency model (SCM) with industry and translate the SCM to curriculum Share feedback from industry and students 3 Master of Engineering in Sustainable Systems Engineering Develop Sustainable Project Leaders Understand how sustainability relates to design, assessment, maintenance, and operations of complex systems Learn how to engage stakeholders and suppliers Apply tools to create value (environmental modeling, life-cycle cost analyses and operations optimization) 4 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 2

3 SSE s Value Proposition Linking sustainability to organizational mission is an important value Sustainability skills are increasingly valued competencies by many organizations. These emerging skills help define qualifications for new jobs and push organizational performance 5 Competency Models Link Academia to Professional Practice Professional Practice Competency Model Academia 6 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 3

4 Competency Modeling merges: Knowledge Mindsets Skills while considering current and future states 7 Competency Models Depend on Organizations Specific to the Organization Define Desirable Performance Organization s Capability Exemplary Performance 8 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 4

5 Applications of Competency Modeling in Industry Manage Your Talent Sourcing, on-boarding, and retention Recognition and reward Performance assessment and management Professional development Promotion and/or role transition 9 Applications of Competency Modeling in Industry Plan for your Work Force Organizational assessment and capability Job / role definition Leadership development Certification and compliance 10 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 5

6 Applications of Competency Modeling in Industry Strategic and Business Planning Align organizational capabilities to business plan Financial and operations modeling Risk mitigation (vis-à-vis labor availability) Facilities and infrastructure - support Technology automation decisions 11 Where did our model come from? 12 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 6

7 Developing a Competency Model Develop a comprehensive view Employers Customers Professionals in practice Regulators Peer disciplines International standards And Faculty (maybe) 13 UW-Madison s Competency Model for Engineering Science & Technology Economics & Business Analysis, Modeling & Design Management & Planning Tools & Support Systems Ideas & Innovation Personal Effectiveness Working Across Boundaries 14 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 7

8 Validation of the Basic Model Easier than thought Does the curriculum meet the requirement? Does the instructional strategy meet the design requirement? Does it meet the academic standard? Do your stakeholders see it that way? 15 Sustainability Competency Model Science & Technology Application of sustainable principles from multiple disciplines Business & Economics Understanding how sustainability affects the business enterprise Systems Analysis Advanced engineering tools to support decision making Management & Planning Improving complex systems and processes over their lifecycle Environmental Justice & Equity Behavioral perspectives and implications of sustainability Ideas & Innovation Tools to engage creativity and translate ideas into design and practice Personal Effectiveness Application of communication skills, ethical behavior and leadership Working Across Boundaries Advanced global awareness and understanding of organizations and society 16 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 8

9 Business & Economics Understanding how sustainability affects the business enterprise Advanced application of macro- and microeconomics principles, Finance, and how sustainability impacts the business enterprise Create value through lifecycle thinking and its application in design, facilities, energy systems and infrastructure. 17 Competencies were compared to course learning objectives Competency Attribute s 1 s 2 s 3 Business & Economics Advanced application of macroand microeconomics principles X X Finance, and how sustainability impacts the business enterprise X Create value through lifecycle thinking and its application X X 18 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 9

10 Lack of certain competencies led to new course creation Competency Attribute s 1 s 2 s 3 s4 s 5 s 6 Business & Economics Advanced application of macro- and microeconomics principles X X X Finance, and how sustainability impacts the business enterprise X X X Create value through lifecycle thinking and its application X X X Science & Technology Understands and uses thermodynamics, engineering analyses of energy issues and technology X X Integrate sustainability goals into engineering practice by understanding impacts upon natural and human systems 19 Resulting curriculum involved new courses and seven departments 20 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 10

11 Curriculum Overview 5 Foundational Courses Core competencies, systems optimization, sustainability analysis tools 2 Leadership Courses Change management, communication, ethics, working effectively Up to 3 Technical Electives Environmental modeling, building systems, geo-based design, pollution, energy systems, etc. 21 Key Feedback from Industry Sustainability is evolving from green washing to a corporate strategic imperative Sustainable project leaders need a broader systems approach that introduces them to subject areas outside of technical engineering 22 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 11

12 Key Feedback from Industry Technical depth is good, but the wellrounded competencies are more valuable Systems tools are not taught at the undergraduate level 23 Feedback from Students Students have been extremely positive about our foundational courses developed to specifically address top competencies Understanding how topics are applied in the real world makes everything easier to grasp Identified all the concepts I will need to pursue throughout my degree program 24 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 12

13 This program is giving me additional perspective about future engineering services, markets and client needs. The technical focus of the program provides me with valuable tools I can implement during my project design process, adding sustainable value for my clients. My greatest challenge so far has been adequately sharing all that I am learning with my fellow employees at my full-time job. I wish they were all in the SSE program. Civil Engineer, Major Environmental Engineering Design Firm 25 I am interested in filling a broader leadership role in sustainability. While I have strong expertise in energy, I was looking to build my knowledge and skills in the larger field of sustainability in order to prepare me for additional roles. I expect that the technical and leadership skills from the SSE program will provide that strong foundation to a successful career in sustainability. Global Energy/CO 2 Leader International Consumer Products Company 26 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 13

14 The institutions I work with are getting more involved in green aspects such as recycling, sustainable design for all new exhibits, and the like. The Sustainable Systems Engineering program will advance my architectural knowledge base by allowing me to research and design newer environmentally sustainable systems and stay in the forefront of the design community. President Independent Architectural Firm 27 Questions? Program Website sustainable.engr.wisc.edu Contacts vieth@wisc.edu magustafson2@wisc.edu 28 Copyright 2014 American Society for Engineering Education 14