Industrial engineering involves analyzing complex systems to improve efficiency and functionality, with subspecialties covering management, health systems, and more. Industrial engineers can work in various fields, including manufacturing, finance, and healthcare, and may specialize in areas such as resource allocation. Advanced degrees may be required for certain specializations, and trade organizations provide professional development opportunities.
Industrial engineering is the analysis of complex systems to improve their efficiency and functionality. A number of subspecialties within this discipline cover topics ranging from management to health systems. Industrial engineers can act as consultants during the planning stages of projects and can also be involved in critical analysis to determine how a company can improve. Colleges and universities with degree programs in this subject often provide instruction in a range of disciplines and may focus on particular topics of interest. It is important to review the offerings of an industrial engineering program to determine whether it will meet a student’s individual needs.
The use of the word “industrial” implies that industrial engineering takes place in settings such as factories, but in reality the field is much broader. Some industrial engineers work on tasks such as designing production lines, improving quality control, and helping factories become more efficient. Others may work in management, not just manufacturing but other business areas. Financial institutions, for example, may use an industrial engineer to improve their products and services.
Supply chains, from source to customer, come under industrial engineering. This can include manufactured products, but it can also involve services. In healthcare settings, for example, both regular service delivery and proper record maintenance are important. Industrial engineers can design medical record systems for hospitals and clinics to enable them to store and process information efficiently. At each stage of a complex process, an industrial engineer may be able to make recommendations for improvement.
Members of this field may also consider topics such as resource allocation. In addition to physical assets such as equipment, this can include human resources, capital, and so on. Industrial engineering specialists typically choose a particular area of practice to focus on; For example, someone might be particularly knowledgeable about the needs of chemical plants, including procurement, production, quality control and delivery. Retaining an Industrial Engineer can assist a plant with an entirely new design or improvements to an existing facility.
Work in the industrial engineering field may require an advanced degree, depending on the nature of an engineer’s area of specialization. Management specialists, for example, may need a master’s degree to act as consultants. Technicians who assist with processes may be able to work with a college degree. Many industrial engineers also belong to trade organizations. This allows them to exchange information and ideas, attend conferences and engage in other professional development activities.
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