BUSINESS APPLICATIONS OF THE INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT MODEL

摘要

The Integrated Management Model (IMM) is shown on page 14 in the third edition of the Guide to the Engineering Management Body of Knowledge (EMBOK) (Shaw, 2012). The first version of the model appeared in the publication Engineering Management International in 1982 (Westbrook). A more complete version, was published (Westbrook, 2011) and appears as shown in the EMBOK. The IMM was developed to show the interrelationships between management elements and the organizational internal and external environments. The primary message of the model is to demonstrate that management should not focus on any one element to manage an organization. There exists a tendency to look at one element to improve organizational performance; for example - reorganize the structure, adopt the latest management fad or focus on keeping key employees happy. The model suggests that management must take all three elements (people, structure, and management systems) into account while having a thorough understanding of its internal and external environments. The IMM proposes to integrate the concepts shown in Domains 2 and 3 of the EMBOK as a way to manage more effectively or implement improvements. The paper presents an explanation of the elements of the IMM as well as descriptions of the organizational internal and external environments. Applications of the model are shown in two different types of organizations. One organization is an engineering organization that supports a military research and development mission. The other organization is a small carbon fiber research organization. The applications of the model are quite different and are intended to show that model usefulness is not limited to any one type of organization.