SESSION ONE 9:45 - 11:45am

OPTION 1: 

Capstone Project Planning – QEQM and ALMEO

Terry Mann, Senior Lecturer, UW College of Engineering 

Abstract:

This interactive session will help identify key issues and considerations for successfully selecting and implementing a project for QEQM and/or ALMEO. The session will incorporate one of the course tools addressed in QEQM - the Affinity Diagram. After an introduction to the capstone project expectations, breakout groups will work together to generate an Affinity Diagram of the key issues and considerations for project success. Results will include clearer understanding of project selection factors, as well as "early" experience in one of the tools addressed by QEQM.

Presenter Profile: 

Terry Mann is a senior lecturer with the UW-Madison College of Engineering and has an active consulting practice assisting companies in the implementation of ISO quality and environmental management system requirements. He is an Exemplar Global Principal QMS Auditor, EMS Auditor, Medical Device Auditor and Senior ASQ Certified Quality Auditor. Terry teaches courses on quality engineering topics, including ISO Standards, Six Sigma, operations management, statistical process control, design of experiments, cellular manufacturing, and facilities layout. He earned his Master of Science degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from the UW–Madison.

OPTION 2:

The Future You: Designing Your Career and Tools 
Engineering Career Services Staff, UW College of Engineering

Justin Kyle Bush, Graduate Programs Administrator, UW College of Engineering

Chelsy Cegielski, InterPro Engagement Manager, UW College of Engineering

Abstract: 

Presenter Profile: 

SESSION TWO 1:15 - 2:15pm 

OPTION 1: 
The Application of AI in Manufacturing System Control
David Ding, PhD, Lecturer, UW – College of Engineering  

Abstract: 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing manufacturing control by optimizing processes, improving efficiency, and enabling predictive maintenance. This session will discuss the application of AI in manufacturing system control. The applications include: 

(1) Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms analyze sensor data to predict equipment failures before they occur. This helps in scheduling maintenance activities, reducing downtime, and avoiding costly breakdowns.
(2) Quality Control: AI-powered vision systems inspect products for defects with greater accuracy and speed than human inspectors. These systems can detect imperfections in real-time, ensuring that only high-quality products reach the market.
(3) Supply Chain Optimization: AI algorithms optimize inventory management, demand forecasting, and logistics planning. By analyzing historical data and market trends, AI can help manufacturers reduce inventory costs and improve delivery times.
(4) Energy Management: AI algorithms optimize energy usage in manufacturing facilities by monitoring energy consumption in real-time and adjusting operations to minimize waste. This can lead to significant cost savings and reduce environmental impact.
(5) Process Optimization: AI models analyze production data to identify inefficiencies and suggest optimizations. This includes optimizing machine settings, production schedules, and workflow layouts to improve overall productivity.
(6) Robotics and Automation: AI-powered robots and autonomous vehicles perform tasks such as material handling, assembly, and packaging with greater speed and precision than human workers. This leads to increased productivity and cost savings in manufacturing operations.
(7) Predictive Analytics: AI algorithms analyze historical data to identify patterns and trends, enabling manufacturers to make data-driven decisions. This includes predicting market demand, optimizing production schedules, and identifying areas for process improvement.

A discussion and Q&A session will follow the presentation.

Presenter Profile: 
Dr. David Ding is a lecturer within the MS Manufacturing System Engineering program. Dr. Ding serves as the Associate Dean at the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Management at UW-Stout. Furthermore, he also holds the position of Director of the School of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin – Stout.

Boasting over three decades of expertise spanning both industry and higher education, Dr. Ding has excelled in various roles, including regional division leader at multiple Fortune 500 organizations. His illustrious career is fortified by a profound understanding of digital transformation, manufacturing automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, underscored by certifications earned from esteemed institutions such as MIT, Oxford University, the Wharton School, and Harvard University.

OPTION 2: 
Agile Practices in Technical Product Development

Shawn Belling, EdD, Delivery Experience Officer, FarWell Project Advisors LLC 

Abstract:
New product development (NPD) is perhaps the most critical function a product company must master to succeed. Over time, various approaches and practices in NPD have emerged, focusing on efficiently identifying new product opportunities and rapidly iterating to find the most promising outcomes for successful new products.

A common theme in these practices is agility. Whether in new product development or execution and delivery, the ability to rapidly prototype and bring together the various components and departments involved in NPD to work as an effective and efficient team has long been recognized as crucial to success.

This session explores elements of agility in NPD, starting with an overview of what were once revolutionary NPD practices. It also examines the challenges of adopting these practices. The session highlights key elements critical to success in identifying new product opportunities and bringing them to market. It covers approaches to generating new ideas, identifying gaps in organizational capability, and ensuring effective distribution of information on new product opportunities throughout the organization.

The session includes live interaction, with group breakouts to discuss and develop responses to technical product development agility obstacles and opportunities. Additionally, participants will engage in agile practice activities during the session.

Presenter Profile:
Shawn Belling is a technology executive, lecturer, and author based in Madison, WI. He has held leadership roles in health tech, higher education, software, consulting, bio-pharma, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance. Currently, Shawn is the Delivery Experience Officer at FarWell Project Advisors LLC in Madison, WI. He teaches at UW–Madison, UW-Platteville, and the University of Southern California.

Shawn's areas of professional and academic expertise include project and program management, agile practices, organizational change management, software and IT strategy and delivery, new product development, and remote work. He released "Succeeding with Agile Hybrids" in November 2020 and "Remotely Possible" in June 2021. Shawn is certified by PMI as a Project Management Professional and Agile Certified Practitioner, and he is also a Certified Scrum Professional and Registered Scrum at Scale Practitioner. He earned a B.S. and M.S. from UW schools and an Ed.D. from the University of the Cumberlands.

 

SESSION THREE 2:30 - 3:30pm 

OPTION 1:
Financial Decision Making 
Raj Kamal, Engineering Lecturer, UW College of Engineering  

Abstract:
We all make financial decisions - in our professional lives as managers or leaders, and in our personal lives when we make large purchases, take out a loan, or assess career options.  Such decisions inevitably involve alternatives with different costs, timelines and amounts, all of which complicate “equivalent” comparisons and the final decision. 

In this interactive session, you will learn foundational tools that can help engineers communicate effectively with financial experts at work and be more confident in making complex financial decisions.  We will use real-life examples to learn how to interpret quarterly financial statements and to choose between various mortgage options.

Presenter Profile: 
Raj Kamal is an Engineering Management lecturer with Interdisciplinary Professional Programs, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he teaches multiple courses.  He has over 30 years of professional consulting and graduate teaching experience, and holds an MS from Purdue University, and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad, India.

OPTION 2:
The Art of Negotiation  

Brian Price, PhD, Lecturer, UW College of Engineering  

Abstract:

We are all involved in multiple negotiations every day, whether it’s negotiating professionally, or establishing manageable workloads with colleagues, or simply agreeing who’s turn it is to take out the trash at home. How can you approach negotiations in a more productive way? This workshop will show you the basic techniques of principled negotiation. You will learn a variety of negotiation techniques that will help you plan and execute negotiations for better outcomes for all parties. The workshop will cover latest research on how to conduct negotiations to ensure that you have a clear idea of your objectives before negotiations begin and you leave the process having achieved a sustainable resolution that builds longer term relationships.

Presenter Profile:

Dr. Price is an academic based at Aston University in the UK, teaching engineering and product design. Active research areas include ultra-low carbon vehicles, engine/transmission design and technology planning. With over 30 years’ experience in industry, working worldwide on engine design consultancy, he brings a pragmatic approach to new product development. Previously chief engineer or technical director at a number of major engineering companies, including Lotus Engineering, Cosworth Technology, Mercury Marine, and Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, he is also a visiting professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA and Hanyang University, South Korea.

 

SESSION FOUR 3:45 - 4:45pm

OPTION 1:
Professional Licensing for Engineers – Demystifying the Process and What it Means for Your Career
Michael Najewski, P.E., MEDA '22, Manager Project Engineer Group, Fuel Tech Inc. 

Dan Winter, P.E., MEPP ‘12, Owner & Managing Engineer, Jetpack Engineering

Abstract:
This session will cover the process of becoming a professional engineer (which is often a less-than simple process given the legal requirements and bureaucratic nuances involved). In addition, the following topics will be included: 

-Exam requirements (Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering) 

-Preparation of an NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) Record 

-What licensure means  

-Licensure requirements across different states 

-Continuing education requirements as a licensed engineer 

-Professional liability as a licensed engineer (and how to avoid it) 

-Engineering ethics and professional and social responsibilities of engineers 

Note that this list is representative and not exhaustive. This information will be conveyed by way of a PowerPoint presentation with a question-and-answer session at the end.

Presenter Profile:
Michael Najewski has spent the majority of his nineteen-year career in various chemical process engineering and project engineering/management roles for niche process technology companies. He has extensive experience in the design, execution, and commissioning of capital projects for clients in various industries worldwide. He is currently the manager of the project engineering group for Fuel Tech, Inc., based in Warrenville, Illinois, where he oversees the development of engineering deliverables for projects related to the company's proprietary air and water pollution control technologies.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a graduate of the Master of Engineering Data Analytics (MEDA) program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is currently a licensed professional engineer in the state of Illinois and has previously held professional engineering licenses in the states of Michigan and New York.

Dan Winter created Jetpack Engineering as a way to apply his diverse engineering skills to today’s energy problems, while working in a flexible format. This flexibility also allows him to contribute to MEM by being a part time lecturer in Technical Project Management (TPM).

In 2008, he graduated from UW–Platteville with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, followed in 2012 with a Master of Engineering in Professional Practice from UW–Madison. He earned his first PE in 2013.1

OPTION 2:
The Art of Negotiation – (Session 3 Option 2 continuation) 
Brian Price, PhD, Lecturer, UW – College of Engineering  

Abstract:

We are all involved in multiple negotiations every day, whether it’s negotiating professionally, or establishing manageable workloads with colleagues, or simply agreeing who’s turn it is to take out the trash at home. How can you approach negotiations in a more productive way? This workshop will show you the basic techniques of principled negotiation. You will learn a variety of negotiation techniques that will help you plan and execute negotiations for better outcomes for all parties. The workshop will cover latest research on how to conduct negotiations to ensure that you have a clear idea of your objectives before negotiations begin and you leave the process having achieved a sustainable resolution that builds longer term relationships.

Presenter Profile:

Dr. Price is an academic based at Aston University in the UK, teaching engineering and product design. Active research areas include ultra-low carbon vehicles, engine/transmission design and technology planning. With over 30 years’ experience in industry, working worldwide on engine design consultancy, he brings a pragmatic approach to new product development. Previously chief engineer or technical director at a number of major engineering companies, including Lotus Engineering, Cosworth Technology, Mercury Marine, and Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, he is also a visiting professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA and Hanyang University, South Korea.