Industrial Engineering has to do with optimization of complex systems with focus on productivity, efficiency, effectiveness and productivity at workplace.

Wikipedia definition of Industrial Engineering is “Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering which deals with the optimization of complex processes, systems, or organizations.” Like complex processes are the same that processes because in my opinion, for an engineer there are not complex processes, any process can be modeled; a system is a process and an organization is too a process; any engineer must be an industrial engineer. Therefore in my opinion the term industrial engineering has become obsolete, the whole of engineers must be industrial engineers. But this is only my opinion.

Dear Dr. Miguel Angel García-Alvarado ,

Thanks to spare your precious time for valuable answer.

Thanks & Regards

In my opinion, the definition of IE included in Wikipedia is not adequate, for the case of Spain. The reason is that it is a too generic definition, as Dr. García-Alvarado suggests when saying "any engineer must be an industrial engineer". In Spain, EI is regulated by law, so this profession can only be exercised by those who have studied the official IE master's degree.

Industrial engineers (IEs) apply science, mathematics, and engineering methods to complex system integration and operations. Due to the complexity of such systems, IEs need to have knowledge and skills in a wide variety of disciplines, the ability to work well with people, and a broad, systems perspective. IEs use their knowledge and skills to improve systematic processes through the use of statistical analysis, interpersonal communication, design, planning, quality control, operations management, computer simulation, and problem solving.

In IE there is not a consensus on how the subject should be taught, studied, and addressed. For instance:

- Turkey has a strong technical focus, even containing physics courses;

- Denmark shifts the attention back to management, making the program less technical;

- The UK, as well as Finland, puts management in the foreground;

- The US is more case-study based, giving you real problems to solve in groups.

- ....

Therefore, these differences are also transferred in how the issue is then addressed in real-world problems.

would like to address IE definition from expected roles&responsibilities. In manufacturing, IE functions is to provide an optimized manufacturing process to enable and meet the manufacturing requirements in quality, cost and delivery.

Dear Dr. Juan-Jesus Luna-Rodriguez ,

Thanks to spare your precious time for valuable answer. Thanks also for your personal inputs.

Thanks & Regards

Dear Dr. N. Epicoco,

Thanks for sharing your precious time and valuable answer. Dear, Thanks a lot also for so comprehensive personal inputs.

Thanks & Regards

Dear Dr. Ming Feng Tsai,

Thanks for sharing your precious time and valuable answer.

Thanks & Regards

As an industrial engineer working in the field, I would like to add my observation & experience.

Industrial Engineers are valuable when they deal with the optimization of the process. However, other disciplines (like mechanical engineers) have the same capability. They can optimize the machine, or the process, without having our (relatively) deep knowledge on the math.

Then, what is our distinctive feature? I think it's ability to deal with uncertainty. Therefore, IE's are more successful then others, when uncertainty is high.

Let's consider optimizing a machine's process. Again relatively, there's a clarity on what the machine should deal with. So, at least, trying all of the combinations of the parameters, we can find the optimum point. That's can be done by someone just understanding the machine. Same is applicable for a production line. Again, the unexpected conditions are low. We don't need deep math knowledge, to handle it.

However, what about planning something under uncertain demand? We have two issues; we can't predict what happens and we can't revert it back. Therefore, trial & error doesn't work. On this point, our expertise is in place.

As a review, our distinctive feature is optimization of the process under uncertainty.

As borders are removed by high tech solutions, trade is more natural. (Web, E-Trade, Blockchain...)

So, the processes have more uncertain issues. It seems to me that once again, it's our turn. (After WWII) We need to focus more to uncertainty and try to structure it for others...

Industrial Engineering has to do with optimization of complex systems and solving industrial problems using established algorithms and heuristics for the sake of efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and profitability at workplace.

Dear Dr. Modestus Okwu ,

Thanks for sharing your precious time and valuable answer.

Thanks & Regards

Dear Dr. Utkan Ekinci ,

Thanks for sharing your precious time and valuable answer.

Thanks & Regards

As per my experience as an Industrial engineer in RMG sector, an industrial engineering makes sure the best use of resources (manpower, machine, material, capital) available for production. With proper production, process planning and cost effective utilization of assets he can minimize the waste present in production floor as well as can minimize production costs.

As per my experience as an Industrial engineer in RMG sector, an industrial engineering makes sure the best use of resources (manpower, machine, material, capita) available for production. With proper production, process planning and cost effective utilization of assets he can minimize the waste present in production floor as well as can minimize production costs.

Industrial Engineering can be defined as the design, improvement and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment and energy. it majorly involves the planning and control of all industrial operations.

Very active branch of Mechanical Engineering.

IMHO the job of the engineer is: look at a problem, find a quantitative method to model it, use it and give a solution useful to solve the problem. This scheme can be applied in any engineering field.

For IE the problems are specific of the production process (e.g steel making, turning, cooking, etc) or related to the production flow (e.g. planning, scheduling, maintenance, handling, production and stock control, investment evaluation, etc)

Thank you Dr. Eliseo Galli and other RG members for your comprehensive answers. I have learnt so much from you all. Let me also add that industrial engineering can be properly defined by looking at the role of an industrial engineer. It is very clear that an industrial Engineer at every point in time is interested in productivity, profitability, efficiency and effectiveness of all available resources....

Industrial engineering is the science & art which deals with industrial systems performance improvements.

Dear Dr Arvind,

I would like to enlarge the perspective given by you.

Industrial engineering is the science & art which deals with industrial systems with a focus on improvement resulting in enhance commerce for the organisation !. It is an umbrella concept involving inputs from a variety of disciplines such as engineering, mathematics, social sciences and looking at the issues in a comprehensive manner.

My understanding to Industrial Engineering is the integration that Combined between engineering technology skills with business understanding supported by the appropriate tools that helps in decision making

Industrial engineering create engineering processes and systems that improve quality and productivity. It may also be known as operations research, systems engineering, manufacturing/production engineering, management science, ergonomics or human factors engineering, safety engineering etc. depending on the viewpoint or motives of the user.

Hey! The Purdue University made a summary of What is Industrial Engineering! Check the link below.

https://engineering.purdue.edu/IE/academics/undergraduate/what-is-ie

Industrial engineering has to do with the application of science, mathematics, and engineering methods to complex system integration and operations. An Industrial Engineer at every point in time is interested in efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and profitability or cutting cost in any given industrial or manufacturing and other service based system.

Industrial Engineering Employment Diagram. See attached...

Industrial Engineering (IE) is a broad area and very important in all field. IE is not limited to product based companies.

hello ali , " Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering which deals with the optimization of complex processes, systems, or organizations. Industrial engineers work to eliminate waste of time, money, materials, person-hours, machine time, energy and other resources that do not generate value. According to the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, they create engineering processes and systems that improve quality and productivity. "

please refer this link for more details

"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_engineering"

Thank you Dr. Ken, Industrial Engineering is applied, not only in Engineering but all sector as shown on the attached figure diag. above. It has useful application in service and product based systems.

following links answer the question:

https://engineering.purdue.edu/IE/academics/undergraduate/what-is-ie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_engineering

https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/what-is-industrial-engineering-ie-2168-9695.S5-e001.php?aid=14820

Interesting question

The discipline of industrial engineering mainly focuses on improvement of the overall productivity through development and application of integrated systems of people, materials, machinery, money etc.

Industrial Engineering has to do with optimization of complex systems with focus on productivity, efficiency, effectiveness and productivity at workplace.

Thank you so much Mr. Gurdeep Singh, I appreciate your insightful contribution.

It is related to Design and operation of industrial processes. It is important for everyone such as entrepreneurs, managers, staff, all human resource in the company should know this field.

Hello,

I recommend to watch the attached video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww9hDlwjeF4

Best