DESCRIPTION
A succinct job description for an engineer consists of two words: problem solver.
Broadly speaking, engineers use knowledge to find new ways of doing things economically. Engineering design solutions do not exist in a vacuum but within the context of a business opportunity. Given that every problem has multiple solutions, the issue is, How does one rationally select the design with the most favorable economic result? The answer to this question can also be put forth in two words: engineering economy.
Engineering economy provides a systematic framework for evaluating the economic aspects of competing design solutions. Just as engineers model the stress on a support column, or the thermodynamic response of a steam turbine, they must also model the economic impact of their recommendations. Engineering economy—what is it, and why is it important? The initial reaction of many engineering students to these questions is, “Money matters will be handled by someone else. They are not something I need to worry about.” In reality, any engineering project must be not only physically realizable but also economically affordable.
This book is about how to make smart economic choices. Understanding and applying economic principles to engineering have never been more important. Engineering is more than a problem-solving activity focusing on the development of products, systems, and processes to satisfy a need or demand.
Beyond function and performance, solutions must also be viable economically. Design decisions affect limited resources such as time, material, labor, capital, and natural resources, not only initially (during conceptual design) but also through the remaining phases of the life cycle (e.g., detailed design, manufacture and distribution, service, retirement, and disposal). A great solution can die a certain death if it is not profitable
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