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L A case for advancingth eering.

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TION Some companies have goal.

BVUli Mahle

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of view and ideas tkat m~grwconJl~ct~t'J~~'iel!/.m;;'0'oncep- lion of ideas to reality, though, certainly kas tafeature the tea'm working together."Another like-minded reader wrote,

"Themost innovative ideas are usuaUy the strangest. ln a group setting, these ideas are ojten given no thought, and they

,are discounted quickly due to a lack of understanding. "

One reader, however, responded, "Neither. Some innovative designs originale from both situations. Teams are helpful when a solo engineer might be limiting the options without realizing il. Solo is sometimes better as teams Gandrag out decisions, muddle thefacts and options, and gel off course easily. l believe it is a balanced combinat~on of these two sit- uations tkat results in the most innovative designs. "

. The next Questionof theMonthwillbe posted Sept. 4.

Our Online Exclusive for September: "PreparingEngineering Studentsto Workin a FlatWorld,"anarticleabouta programat WorcesterPolytechnicInstituteto giveengineeringstudentsthe toolsto succeedin an ageof globalization.

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,onthly byThe Amerie;~ Society ofMe~banical Engineers, ThreePark Avenue. New Yo<k, NY,1O016-5990. Periodieah po"age raid ac New Yo,k, N.Y., and addirional

"haniea! Engineering, cio The Amenean SoClety ofMeeharucal Engrn,ers. 22 Law Dnve, Box 2300. Fairlield. NJ 07007-2300. PRICES: Tomembe", annually $29Co, ini- ,n priee co nonmembe" avaiJable "pon requesc. COPYRIGHT @ 2007 byThe Amenon S~Clety of Me~harucal Engrneers. Canadian Gond, & Sem", T"" Regi>ttarion

'py macerial Co, internai 0' pe"o:,,! Œe .'W-~ec,"'cnnlitances noclâlling w>thin the Iâir = ~wv"'o'" of che C~pynghc Act~ grnnccd by ASME to librnries and oche, Œers "gis- Repotting Semce, 222 Rosewood Dnve; Danvers, MA01923. Request fo, special pemusslOn 0' bulk copymg ,houJd be addressed co Reprin~/Pennissio'" Depactmenc.