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Selection of Curricular Topics Using Extensions of Quality Function Deployment

Paul Kauffmann, Abel Fernandez, Charles Keating, Derya Jacobs, Resit Unal Department of Engineering Management College of Engineering and Technology Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA 23529

Abstract

Decision science can be an effective tool for enhancing organizational participation during strategic and complex decision making. This involvement develops a group consensus for relating organizational goals and the methods to achieve them. This paper describes an application of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to define curricular topics that meet program objectives. Based on the ability of QFD to establish relationships, the model identifies the most important topics and quantifies their impact on meeting program goals. The model was developed to support restructuring of a Masters of Engineering Management degree program. The model supported decisions in selecting and prioritizing the required curricular content to support program goals. The model provided a practical methodology for developing faculty consensus in the selection of curricular topics with a strategic focus.

I. Introduction and Organizational Context

The Department of Engineering Management at Old Dominion University offers a Masters of Engineering Management (MEM) degree as its core product. In the fall of 1998 the faculty recognized that the MEM curriculum should be examined to ensure relevancy to existing conditions. Industrial base changes in the southeast Virginia region, faculty personnel turnover, administrative pressures to increase enrollment, and other environmental changes highlighted the need to critically examine the MEM curriculum.

The curriculum redesign effort adopted an outcomes based methodology in which the curricular topics were to be directly tied to desired outcomes. Through a series of facilitated meetings the faculty developed MEM program objectives and associated goals. These are summarized in Table 1-Program Objectives and Goals. However, the faculty recognized that the six program goals were not equally important, the identity and character of our program is highly dependent the emphasis placed on specific program goals. The challenge was to develop a set of curricular topics that not only directly contributed to the identified goals but that did so proportionately to the respective importance level of each goal.

Quality Function Deployment (QFD) provides a framework for linking customer requirements to product characteristics. Although typically applied to industrial problems, the QFD methodology was seen as a mechanism for developing curricular topics in a disciplined and well-structured format. The next section describes the QFD modeling structure and its application within an academic context.

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Unal, R., & Jacobs, D., & Keating, C., & Kauffmann, P., & Fernandez, A. (2000, June), Selection Of Curricular Topics Using Extensions Of Quality Function Deployment Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8688