Global standards and innovation networks among trends likely to impact engineers

Allian Pratt
ASME Strategic Issues, Opportunity and Knowledge

Global harmonization of standards, innovation networks, and collaborative learning are among the trends likely to impact engineers and ASME in the coming decade, according to the results of an environmental scanning report recently sponsored by the Society.

Environmental scanning, or the acquisition and use of information about events, trends and relationships in an organization's external environment, is an important component of ASME's Continuity and Change Initiative, as knowledge of the forces of change in the engineering profession and the business world in general will assist the Society in planning its future course of action.

With ASME's evolution as a strategy-focused association, it is committed to continuously looking ahead to new developments and trends that could impact engineers in the future and the Society's ability to service its members and other customers. The new Strategic Management Sector within ASME includes a standing committee that is charged with conducting environmental scans, competitive intelligence and benchmarking.

The new report, "Six Strategic Issues Shaping the Global Future of Mechanical Engineering," was conducted by the Institute for Alternative Futures and supervised by that standing committee — ASME's Strategic Issues, Opportunities and Knowledge Committee, which is chaired by ASME Past President Winfred M. Phillips. The institute's environmental scan used information gleaned from recent issues of periodicals, magazines, newspapers, newsletters and materials published on the Internet.

The study's objective was to examine the global external environment and look at emerging issues and trends that may impact the mechanical engineering profession and ASME in the future; analyze the possible impact of these trends on the engineering practice and profession, and research and development; and assess implications for mechanical engineers and ASME worldwide.

From the many issues and trends that were identified, the institute narrowed its list to six strategic issues for ASME to focus on. They are: the global harmonization of standards; technology innovation networks, or clusters; applying the "systems thinking" concept — seeing the "big picture" of a project and not just one's own part of it — to achieve greater resource productivity; attracting and educating tomorrow's engineer; collaborative learning communities; and biotechnology and bioengineering.

According to IAF, each of the six issues is important, but together they suggest that very different outcomes are possible for those with the aspiration to act on the opportunities.

Countries and organizations that attract enough young people and educate them to succeed in a professional environment of rapid innovation and changing social priorities will claim the future, the institute said. Collaborative learning communities will give all professionals the real time opportunity for lifelong learning. Mechanical engineers who can meet the need for major advances in resource productivity and the growing importance of biotechnology will be in demand. The global marketplace increasingly rewards those who keep pace with innovation and harmonize their work and products into an integrated system, according to the report.

The results of the scan were reviewed and discussed by ASME's Board of Governors at their planning retreat in Denver in July.

To read the report, "Six Strategic Issues Shaping the Global Future of Mechanical Engineering" in its entirety, please visit the Members Online area of the ASME Web site at www.asme.org, or contact Allian Pratt at (202) 785-7382.

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