The Engineering Body of Knowledge
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes Required
for Practice as a Professional Engineer
First Edition
Craig N. Musselman, P.E., F.NSPE
National Society of Professional Engineers
Presented to the ABET Symposium 2014
Pittsburgh, PA
National Society of Professional Engineers
(NSPE)
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Formed in 1934
National Federation with State
Societies/Chapters in each Jurisdiction
Represents Professional Engineers and those
on a track to be Professional Engineers
– Of all Engineering Disciplines
– Of all Employment Sectors
NSPE’s development of the EBOK was
motivated by three forces.
NSPE mission,
vision, and values
NAE challenge to
the engineering
profession
Discipline-specific
BOK efforts
Need for an
“all disciplines”
EBOK
Preparation of the
Engineering Body of Knowledge
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NSPE Licensure and Qualifications for Practice
Committee
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27 Members
8 Disciplines Represented
Licensure Oriented
Predominantly Engineering Practitioners
Two Year Intensive Process
Review and Detailed Input from Partner Society Teams of
Engineers:
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IEEE
AIChE
ASCE
ASABE
Japan Society of Professional Engineers
The Engineering Body of Knowledge
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The Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes required
for the practice of engineering in responsible
charge of engineering activities as a
Professional Engineer
Acquired through a combination of
engineering education and engineering
experience – not “teased apart” by NSPE
Applicable to Professional Engineers of all
disciplines and in all employment sectors
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes
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Knowledge consists of comprehending
theories, principles, and fundamentals;
Skills are the abilities to perform tasks and
apply knowledge; and
Attitudes are the ways in which one thinks
and feels in response to a fact or situation.
Intended Audience for the Engineering
Body of Knowledge
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Prospective and Current Engineering Students
Engineering Faculty
Engineer Interns
Professional Engineers
Engineering Mentors, Supervisors and
Employers
Licensing Boards
Accreditation Leaders
Certification Boards
What Does NSPE Ask?
Individuals and Organizations:
1. Consider this practice-based Engineering
Body of Knowledge in the context of your
role in the engineering profession. What
should you or your organization do
differently in the future?
2. Provide input for a second edition. To:
aschwartz@nspe.org
The Engineering Body of Knowledge
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Guiding Principles
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Key Attributes
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Capabilities and Abilities
Guiding Principles - NAE
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Technological innovation accelerating.
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Technology deployment globally interconnected.
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Technology in our everyday lives - more significant than ever.
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Individuals increasingly diverse and multidisciplinary.
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Social, cultural, political, and economic forces will shape
technological innovation.
Above from the National Academy of Engineering
Additional Guiding Principles - NSPE
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Broad body of knowledge increasingly
required
Higher value-added, leading-edge services
and products from the U.S. needed
Communication, management, leadership,
ethical practice skills increasingly critical
Engineering in a sustainable, global context
Lifelong Learning need is accelerating
Key Attributes of the
Professional Engineer
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Analytical, practical;
Thorough, detail-oriented;
Creative, innovative;
Communicative;
Knowledgeable about sciences and mathematics;
Knowledgeable in a selected field and conversant in related fields;
Skillful in business and management;
Able to provide leadership
Professional and positive in attitude;
Aware of societal considerations in global context;
Aware of relevant laws, regulations, standards, and codes;
Knowledgeable about engineering ethics and codes of conduct; and
Dedicated to lifelong learning.
The Engineering Body of Knowledge
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Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes
Expressed in the EBOK as:
– Capabilities (30)
• Basic or Foundational
• Technical
• Professional Practice
Abilities – related to each Capability
Format of Capabilities and Abilities in
EBOK
6. Engineering Economics
Description
The use of economic analysis is fundamental to the engineering design process and to changes in systems, processes, or operations. In evaluating
and comparing design alternatives, engineers need to assess initial capital costs; annual operation, maintenance, and repair costs; and periodic
replacement of equipment or other components costs and determine the remaining economic value at the end of the evaluation period. Design
alternatives typically have different capital and operating costs, with some alternatives having higher capital costs and lower operation,
maintenance, and repair costs, while other alternatives offer lower capital costs but higher operating costs. Engineering economic analysis is used
in the design process to compare alternatives on an equivalent (present worth or equivalent annual cost) basis, using assumptions for interest rates.
This analysis helps ensure the least costly optimized design taking into account the estimated expenditures required and the time value of money.
Once design alternatives are selected, engineers are typically involved in further defining project economics. This is done by estimating total
project costs, incorporating the cost of designing and manufacturing or constructing a solution as well as other implementation costs such as
management requirements, bonds and insurances, contingencies for as-yet-undefined project requirements, and financing. An essential element of
this process is the identification and economic quantification of the risks associated with the project or product. This entire process is often
iterative, wherein cost estimates are refined as projects proceed from planning to design to manufacturing or construction.
Engineers often interact with managers and other professionals in providing project economic information and opinions of project costs in
financial analysis and financing processes. On some projects, engineers help evaluate life-cycle costs, taking into account annual loan payments as
well as annual operation, maintenance, and other recurring costs in the process of setting rates or prices to ensure that revenues to be received are
adequate to offset costs. This also often involves interaction with management, finance, and other professionals.
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Example Abilities
As examples of engineering economics capability, an engineer entering practice at the professional level should be able to:
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Prepare detailed cost estimates of initial capital and annual operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement costs for a project or component of a
project;
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Calculate the return on investment, present worth and/or annual cost and benefit of a project having initial capital and annual operation,
maintenance, repair, and replacement costs using appropriate interest, discount, and projected inflation rates;
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Identify and quantify the economic risks associated with a project or product; and
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Compare design alternatives with varying cost profiles on a present worth or annual cost basis.
Abilities
Selected Example Abilities Listed for Each
Capability
i.e.,
Analyze alternative design options and select an
optimized design of a complex component or
system
National Society of Professional Engineers
First edition of the
Engineering Body of Knowledge
Key Attributes of the Professional Engineer
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Analytical and practical;
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Thorough and detail-oriented in design;
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Creative and innovative;
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Communicative;
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Knowledgeable about the application of sciences and mathematics;
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Thoroughly knowledgeable in a selected field of engineering and conversant in related technical fields;
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Knowledgeable about and skillful in business and management;
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Able to provide leadership – with ability to effect change in strategies, tactics, policies, and procedures in project and
other roles;
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Professional and positive in attitude;
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Aware of societal and historical considerations in the global context;
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Aware of and compliant with relevant laws, regulations, standards, and codes;
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Licensed as a Professional Engineer and knowledgeable about engineering ethics and applicable codes of professional
conduct; and
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Dedicated to lifelong learning.
DOWNLOAD THE EBOK (free of charge):
http://www.nspe.org/sites/default/files/resources/nspe-body-of-knowledge.pdf
PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO NSPE ON THE EBOK to NSPE General Counsel Arthur Schwartz:
aschwartz@nspe.org
Session Exercise
Task:
“Today” Columns – place a check in one of
two columns
“Future” Columns – place a check in one of
two columns
Optional Engineering Discipline
Optional Email Address – for poll results
What Does NSPE Ask?
Individuals and Organizations:
1. Consider this practice-based Engineering
Body of Knowledge in the context of your
role in the engineering profession. What
should you or your organization do
differently in the future?
2. Provide input for a second edition. To:
aschwartz@nspe.org
Download the NSPE
Engineering Body of Knowledge
http://www.nspe.org/resources/pdfs/NSPEBody-of-Knowledge.pdf
NSPE EBOK
Thanks for Listening and Participating
Questions?
Craig N. Musselman, P.E.
cmusselman@cmaengineers.com