Engineering Ethics
Balancing Cost, Schedule, and Risk - Lessons Learned from the Space Shuttle
Published on 13. May 1997
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-0-521-43750-9 (ISBN)
Description
How do engineers respond to ethical dilemmas that occur in practice? How do they view their individual and collective responsibilities? How do they make decisions before all the facts are in? Using the space shuttle programme as the framework, this book examines the role of ethical decision making in the practice of engineering. In particular, the book considers the design and development of the main engines of the space shuttle as a paradigm for how individual engineers perceive, articulate, and resolve ethical dilemmas in a large, complex organisation. A series of in-depth case studies show engineers at work on various stages of the project as they balance budgets, deadlines and risks. By documenting the historical development of a single system, the book provides a unique opportunity to explore the complex interactions between political, organisational and technical pressures and engineering and management decisions.
Reviews / Votes
' ... the book scores highly'. Keith Moore, Professional Engineering ' ... wealth of historical and technical information ... As a detailed study of ethical issues arising in the space shuttle program, Engineering Ethics is quite successful. The methodology it offers is quite helpful in organizing and analyzing those ethical issues ... Engineering Ethics is a good read and a welcome contribution to the growing literature of engineering ethics.' Technology and CultureMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
5 Tables, unspecified; 9 Halftones, unspecified; 31 Line drawings, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
647 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-43750-9 (9780521437509)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Rosa Lynn B. Pinkus | Larry J. Shuman | Norman P. Hummon
Engineering Ethics
Balancing Cost, Schedule, and Risk - Lessons Learned from the Space Shuttle
Book
05/1997
Cambridge University Press
€111.42
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Rosa Lynn B. Pinkus | Larry J. Shuman | Norman P. Hummon
Engineering Ethics
Balancing Cost, Schedule, and Risk - Lessons Learned from the Space Shuttle
Book
05/1997
Cambridge University Press
€111.42
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Content
Part I. Theoretical and Practical Background: 1. Low-bid ethics: Decision-making about cost, safety and deadlines; 2. Engineering ethics framework; 3. Engineering ethics: The common ground between individual whim and legality; 4. Satisficing, organizational theory and other theoretical contributions to engineering ethics; 5. The decision to build the space shuttle: Pay me now or pay me later; 6. The space shuttle main engine: An overview; 7. All-up testing versus component testing: Normative practice or flawed judgment?; Part II. The Cases: 8. A. O. Tischler: An 'ethical' engineer (alternatives to whistle-blowing); 9. Cost versus schedule versus risk: The band-aid fix: $3.5 million overrun in test stand construction; 10. Back to the drawing board or normal errors: Senate investigations of the SSME development problems; 11. A judgment call or negligence: Maiden voyage of the Challenger delayed six months; 12. Against the odds: Ethical decisions and organizational goals; 13. Engineering ethics and risk assessment; Part III. Postscript: 14. The Challenger accident: Engineering design and performance decisions.