Technology Management
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
While Technology Management can be defined as the integrated planning, design, optimization, operation and control of technological products, processes and services, a better definition would be the management of the use of technology for human advantage.
Within both definitions there is an implication that different kinds of technology share common management methodologies, at this point that cannot be proven and thus is axiomatic to the discipline.
At this point there is little conceptual theory for this area, most of the practical learning results from pioneering efforts in the field. Despite the fact that we have lived in a technologically based society for over fifty years, there is very little guidance for those wishing to better manage technology, thus the world tends to follow rules of thumb such as "leading is bleeding" and shy away from technologies that are less well understood.
Perhaps the most authoritative input to our understanding of technology is the diffusion of innovations theory developed in the first half of the twentieth century. It suggests that all innovations follow a similar diffusion pattern - best known today in the form of an "s" curve though originally based upon the concept of a standard distribution of adopters. In broad terms the "s" curve suggests four phases of a technology life cycle - emerging, growth, mature and aging.
These four phases are coupled to increasing levels of acceptance of an innovation or, in our case a new technology. In recent times for many technologies an inverse curve - which corresponds to a declining cost per unit - has been postulated. This may not prove to be universally true though for information technology where much of the cost is in the initial phase it has been a reasonable expectation.
The second major contribution to this area is the Carnegie Melon Capability Maturity Model. This model proposes that a series of progressive capabilities can be quantifies through a set of threshold tests. These tests determine repeatability, definition, management and optimization. The model suggests that any organization has to master one level before being able to proceed to the next.
The third significant contribution comes from Gartner - the research service, it is the hype cycle, this suggests that our modern approach to marketing technology results in the technology being over hyped in the early stages of growth.
Taken together these concepts provide a foundation for formalizing the approach to managing technology.
[edit] Graduate Programs
The Masters of Science in Technology Management (MS-Tech) is offered by the Graduate School of Business (UIUC College of Business) at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
The Ph. D degree and Master of Science degree in Engineering Technology Management are also offered by the Dept. of Engineering and Technology Management(ETM) at the Portland State University. The ETM department is also the organizer of the prestige international conference (PICMET).
MBA in Technology Management is offered by Northern Institute of Technology Management, Hamburg, Germany. The MBA forms a part of the Global Engineering Program and is also accompanied by a Master of Science in one of the courses at Technische Universität Hamburg Harburg.
The MS-Tech Program is unique in that it combines the development of essential business principles and skills with an emphasis on the fundamental role that technology plays in managing the business enterprise. Unlike traditional business programs, the MS-Tech Program immerses students in case studies on integrating new technology, the benefits of technology infrastructure, and problem solving through technology. This specialized knowledge of technology as a problem solving tool and change driver allows MS-Tech graduates to develop into more effective managers and leaders, and to adapt more readily to changes in the marketplace.
Both PhD and MSc degrees in Technology Management are offered by the Defense Sciences Institute of the Turkish Military Academy (Kara Harp Okulu) [1].
With the diversity of students from different countries and different industries, students have an added benefit as this enhances their knowledge and prepares them effectively to become global leaders.
[edit] Undergraduate Programs
From 2000 to 2008, Clarkson University offered a Bachelors of Science in Business & Technology Management. The program was since replaced with Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Global Supply Chain Management.
