The Human Factor: Managing Technical Complexity and Creativity in the 21st Century

University of Southern CaliforniaDANIEL J. EPSTEIN DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERINGViterbi School of Engineering / Second Annual Rechtin Keynote Lecture"The Human Factor: Managing Technical Complexity and Creativity in the 21st Century"Dr. Wanda M. AustinPresident and CEO, The Aerospace CorporationABSTRACT: Dr. Austin will open her address by celebrating Dr. Rechtin's legacy, saluting his accomplishments and reaffirming his relevance for current and aspiring systems engineers. She will then turn to one of the areas that most concerned Dr. Rechtin: attracting the best and brightest minds to the aerospace industry and helping them grow and develop into the finest systems engineers in the world. As Dr. Rechtin once wrote, the aerospace business truly flourishes when it is populated by "creative individuals capable of understanding and resolving problems of almost overwhelming complexity." The human capital issue that Dr. Rechtin grappled with – making sure that the right people and processes were aligned – is more critical than ever today as aerospace companies attempt to build workforces that can meet the myriad challenges of the 21st century.The lecture will next focus on the needs, attitudes and world-view of Generation Y, the major supplier of tomorrow's systems engineers. As Dr. Austin will explain, Gen Y is – in many ways – the embodiment of Dr. Rechtin's thoughtful and authentic professional vision and values. Indeed, these young people have the imagination and integrity that are prerequisites for systems engineering innovation today. Moving to a more pragmatic plane, Dr. Austin will continue her talk by offering a five-point plan that's designed to help up-and-coming systems engineers get the knowledge, insights and intelligence they need to take their place in the aerospace industry of the near-future. Without this learning, it will be difficult for new hires to eventually transition from specialties to domain-related areas like airborne systems integration, and then on to end-to-end systems engineering.Dr. Austin will conclude by discussing Dr. Rechtin's love of space, as well as his respect for its power and potential. Like Dr. Rechtin, Dr. Austin believes that space gives all of us a much-needed sense of connectedness; it reinforces the fact that we are part of something larger than ourselves. And, as systems engineers, we have an obligation to help explore the skies responsibly and for the betterment of mankind.THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008, ANDRUS GERONTOLOGY AUDITORIUM, 4:00 – 5:30 PM3:00-4:00 PM - Refreshment will be served in the Gerontology Courtyard

Location: Andrus Gerontology Auditorium

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Georgia Lum