Executive Perspective for Scientists & Engineers (EPSE)

EPSE incorporates an assessment of the participants' management skills and behavior, including feedback from their supervisors, peers and subordinates. Participants reach a deeper understanding of their current skills and how they are perceived by those at work, and develop an initial plan to further develop their leadership qualities.

Module 1: Leading Knowledge-Based Organizations

Success in any management role depends largely on refined leadership and communication skills. Further, leaders in knowledge-based organizations must excel at providing guidance to professionals who are theirs peers in a way that clarifies, inspires and sustains peak performance. Topics in this module are selected to give participants insight into several critical capabilities.

Module 2: Understanding a Technology Business

Even superb leadership skills are handicapped without a firm grounding in the business environment in which they must operate. Science and technology businesses are among the most dynamic and challenging of our era. Topics covered in this module address business functions from the perspective of the technical specialist, and how they are applied in an integrated fashion to achieve commercial success.

Module 3: Building New Value Through Innovation

Efficient deliver of well-received product and services will help a firm succeed only as long as the marketplace remains constant; but to sustain success and thrive in today's global environment, firms must continue to build new value for the marketplace through technical innovation. Topics in this module address the art and science of creating commercial value from technical innovation.

Learning activities such as research assignments, simulation exercises, and planning projects are also part of the EPSE program.

Application of Learning

Activities are featured during the program to help participants apply and integrate lessons learned during class sessions. These activities include:

• Individual research assignments
• Simulation exercises
• Planning projects
• Case study analysis
• Small group discussion
• Individual presentations

Each year EPSE students engage in a team research project as a part of their learning activities. These projects help the students to understand good management practices and teach a value process for gathering information and examining management issues as an alternative to making snap decisions.

The research project topic varies each year based on current business and management issues. The summaries below combine the research and conclusions of both LAMP and EPSE students, and address:

• The Value of Research
• The Assignment
• Information Received
• Combined Findings
• Discussion

Project Summaries

• 2014/2015
  Developing Leaders (pdf)  
• 2013/2014
  Preparing for the Departure of Boomers (pdf)
• 2012/2013 
• 2010/2011
  Retaining and Engaging Key Talent (pdf)
• 2009/2010
  Closing Underperforming Operations (pdf)
• 2008/2009
  Fostering Innovation in Technology Companies (pdf)
• 2007/2008
  Implementing Major Organizational Change While Sustaining Productivity (pdf)
• 2006/2007
  Rapid Achievement of Productivity for New Employees (pdf)
• 2005/2006
  Balancing Attention to Short and Long Term Business Needs (pdf)
• 2004/2005
  Integrating Critical-analytical Skill with Conceptual-emotional Thought (pdf)

Company Participation

Many San Diego companies sponsor employees in EPSE every year as an integral part of the company's management development efforts. The knowledge they gain in this program allows the participants to better contribute to their company's success, both in fulfilling their current responsibilities and in working with other functional units to conceive and implement valuable new capabilities.

See list of participating companies

Testimonials

"EPSE has been very valuable in changing my perspective on how to manage a technical business. I have learned about how the business world really functions. The interaction with peers from different companies and industries has been phenomenal. I have learned as much from fellow students as I have from the instructors!"
  -Alan Lewis, Asymtek

"Goodrich has sent over 40 managers/directors through the EPSE program since 1984. EPSE has proven to be an integral part of our leadership development strategy, and will continue to be in the future. The program offers exposure to course content and expert lecturers that we could not hope to duplicate internally. This gives us great value for our investment. I hope the EPSE program continues to expand and we look forward to being part of that future."
  -Warren Potts, Goodrich Aerostructures Group

"The program offers leadership challenges dealing with teams, self-examination and development of improvements plans, as well as actual business case analyses. This is just a sampling of the structured learning opportunities. EPSE's greatest benefit, however, is the dialogue that occurs during team interaction and discussions that take place between a diverse group of students from high tech industries."
  -David Allen, Goodrich Aerospace

“EPSE has refined and improved the skills I use on my program on a daily basis.  I was recently awarded a promotion from Chief Engineer to Program Manager, making the jump from the technical staff into the program office in our organization, which I attribute to my experience in the EPSE program.  Even after receiving this promotion, I had a meeting with one of our senior managers who said ‘Well you’re finishing up EPSE, so I think I need to find you something more challenging.’  Needless to say, I’m excited to see where EPSE takes me next.”
  -Geoffrey Graham , BAE 

"EPSE has been an outstanding experience. The course content and instructors have given me ideas that I immediately put to use within my own company and personal career growth. Networking with peers from many diverse technology businesses in San Diego has proved invaluable. I recommend EPSE without reservation!"
  -Tyler Jensen, Vocel 

The Alumni Board is made up of Alumni representatives from each graduating class—from a graduated pool of over 1200—who meet monthly with the Directors and staff, to provide support to the EPSE and LAMP programs.

EPSE Alumni Association

Leading Knowledge-Based Organizations

Understanding a Technology Business

Building New Value Through Innovation