
Engineering economics
Engineering economics, previously known as engineering economy, is a subset of economics for application to engineering projects. Engineers seek solutions to problems, and the economic viability of each potential solution is normally considered along with the technical aspects.
What is economics and its role in engineering?
Engineering economics is the application of economic techniques to the evaluation of design and engineering alternatives. The role of engineering economics is to assess the appropriateness of a given project, estimate its value, and justify it from an engineering standpoint. The General Economic Environment
What is the role of Economics in engineering industry?
Major topics in engineering industrial economics are:
- The economics of the management, operation, and growth and profitability of engineering firms;
- Macro-level engineering economic trends and issues;
- Engineering product markets and demand influences; and
- The development, marketing, and financing of new engineering technologies and products.
- Benefit–cost ratio
What is the importance of Engineering Economy?
What is the importance of engineering economy? The Value of Engineering Economics. Engineering economics poses numerous benefits because it allows those in industry to make strategic decisions for their companies.While macroeconomic and financial competencies are key for business operations, engineering economics further provides a mechanism for decision-making.
What are the applications of Engineering Economics?
Engineering economics is the application of economic techniques to the evaluation of design and engineering alternatives. The role of engineering economics is to assess the appropriateness of a given project, estimate its value, and justify it from an engineering standpoint.

What is engineering economics and its principle?
Engineering economy involves the systematic evaluation of the economic merits of proposed solutions to engineering problems. To be economically acceptable (i.e. affordable), solutions to engineering problems must be demonstrate a positive balance of long-term benefits over long-term costs,…
Why do we study engineering economics?
Engineering economics poses numerous benefits because it allows those in industry to make strategic decisions for their companies. While macroeconomic and financial competencies are key for business operations, engineering economics further provides a mechanism for decision-making.
What do you learn in engineering economics?
An engineering economy study involves many elements: problem identification, definition of the objective, cash flow estimation, financial analysis, and decision making. Implementing a structured procedure is the best approach to select the best solution to the problem.
What is the most important concept in engineering economics?
The change in the amount of money over a given time period is called the time value of money; it is the most important concept in engineering economy.
Who is the father of engineering economics?
Eugene L. GrantWellington in his engineering economics work of the 1870s....Eugene L. GrantDiedJuly 9, 1996 (aged 99)NationalityAmericanCitizenshipUSAKnown forEngineering Economy (First published in 1930)4 more rows
Why is engineering economics important to civil engineers?
The civil engineer must have the ability to use engineering economy methodologies for the “formulation of objectives, specification of alternatives, prediction of outcomes” and estimation of minimum acceptability for investment and optimization.
How do you perform an engineering economy study?
Perform Engineering study.Identify and understand the problem; identify the objective of the project.Collect the relevant and available data and define viable solution alternatives.Make realistic cash flow estimates to ensure the flow of money is done smoothly for the cash in and out.More items...•
What are the 7 steps in an engineering economy study?
Engineering economic analysis & engineering design process. ... • Problem definition. ... • Problem formulation and evaluation. ... • Synthesis of possible solutions (alternatives) ... • Analysis, optimization, and evaluation. ... • Specification of preferred alternative. ... Engineering Economic Decisions. ... ❑ Estimate a product life.More items...
What is the key concern of engineering economics?
The engineering economics is concerned the systematic evaluation of the benefits and costs of projects involving engineering design and analysis. Engineering economics quantifies the benefits and costs associating with engineering projects to determine if they save enough money to warrant their capital investments.
Which is harder economics or engineering?
They are both demanding but I would say when it comes to the top universities, Economics seems more respected and more tougher to get into due to rigorous competition hence the higher entry requirements. To be honest entry requirements vary in different Engineering courses and at different universities.
What is engineering economics?
Engineering economics involves the systematic evaluation of the economic benefits of proposed solutions to engineering problems. The engineering economics involves technical analysing with emphasis on the economic aspects and has the objective of assisting decisions. Engineering economics is closely aligned with Conventional Micro-Economics.
Why is engineering economics important?
This subject helps one understand the need for the knowledge of Economics for being an effective manager and decision maker. The Economics theories are used to take decisions related to uncertain and changing business environment.
What are the principles of economics?
Economics theories deal with the principles of demand, pricing, cost, production, competition, trade cycles, and national income and so on.
What is an engineer?
Engineers are planners and builders. They are also problem solvers, managers and decision makers. In the beginning of the 20 th century, engineers were mainly concerned with the design, construction, operation of machines structures and processes. ADVERTISEMENTS:
What is the profession in which knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study experience and practice is applied with judgment?
Engineering is the profession in which knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study experience and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilise economically the material and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.
What is engineering economics?
Engineering economics, previously known as engineering economy, is a subset of economics concerned with the use and "...application of economic principles" in the analysis of engineering decisions.
What are some topics that are considered engineering economics?
Some other topics that may be addressed in engineering economics are inflation, uncertainty, replacements, depreciation, resource depletion, taxes, tax credits, accounting, cost estimations, or capital financing. All these topics are primary skills and knowledge areas in the field of cost engineering .
What is depreciation in engineering?
Depreciation itself is defined by the decreasing of value of any given asset , though some exceptions do exist. Valuation can be considered the basis for depreciation in a basic sense, as any decrease in value would be based on an original value. The idea and existence of depreciation becomes especially relevant to engineering and project management is the fact that capital equipment and assets used in operations will slowly decrease in worth, which will also coincide with an increase in the likelihood of machine failure. Hence the recording and calculation of depreciation is important for two major reasons.
What are the major topics in engineering industrial economics?
Major topics in engineering industrial economics are: The economics of the management, operation, and growth and profitability of engineering firms; The development, marketing, and financing of new engineering technologies and products.
What is economic study?
Economic studies, which are much more common outside of engineering economics, are still used from time to time to determine feasibility and utility of certain projects. They do not, however, truly reflect the "common notion" of economic studies, which is fixated upon macroeconomics, something engineers have little interaction with. Therefore, the studies conducted in engineering economics are for specific companies and limited projects inside those companies. At most one may expect to find some feasibility studies done by private firms for the government or another business, but these again are in stark contrast to the overarching nature of true economic studies. Studies have a number of major steps that can be applied to almost every type of situation, those being as follows;
What is critical path economics?
Critical path economy, as an example, is necessary in most situations as it is the coordination and planning of material, labor, and capital movements in a specific project.
What is capital budgeting?
Capital budgeting, in relation to engineering economics, is the proper usage and utilization of capital to achieve project objectives. It can be fully defined by the statement; "... as the series of decisions by individuals and firms concerning how much and where resources will be obtained and expended to meet future objectives." This definition almost perfectly explains capital and its general relation to engineering, though some special cases may not lend themselves to such a concise explanation. The actual acquisition of that capital has many different routes, from equity to bonds to retained profits, each having unique strengths and weakness, especially when in relation to income taxation. Factors such as risk of capital loss, along with possible or expected returns must also be considered when capital budgeting is underway. For example, if a company has $20,000 to invest in a number of high, moderate, and low risk projects, the decision would depend upon how much risk the company is willing to take on, and if the returns offered by each category offset this perceived risk. Continuing with this example, if the high risk offered only 20% return, while the moderate offered 19% return, engineers and managers would most likely choose the moderate risk project, as its return is far more favorable for its category. The high risk project failed to offer proper returns to warrant its risk status. A more difficult decision may be between a moderate risk offering 15% while a low risk offering 11% return. The decision here would be much more subject to factors such as company policy, extra available capital, and possible investors.
