Engineering Tomorrow: A Guide for the Next Generation of Industrial Engineers

As the industrial engineering landscape evolves, so too must the professionals who shape it. This insightful guide is designed for young people entering the field, offering a forward-looking perspective on the trends, transformations, and emerging challenges that will define their careers. It also serves as a valuable resource for current practitioners and educators seeking to adapt to the demands of tomorrow.

The book unfolds in two compelling parts:

Part I presents a dynamic timeline of industrial engineering’s milestones – highlighting key advancements, methods of improvement, and their global impact on human conditions. It’s a powerful reminder of the discipline’s enduring principles and relevance in today’s world.

Part II explores three essential threads that define the profession: where industrial engineering is practiced, the outcomes it strives to achieve, and the techniques and skills that drive its success. This section offers a thoughtful roadmap for understanding the profession’s core identity and future direction.

Whether you're just beginning your journey or guiding others along theirs, this book is a vital companion for navigating the evolving world of industrial engineering.

Hakan Butuner holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Middle East Technical University, an MBA from Bilkent University, and a Ph.D. in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri-Rolla, where he received the Honorary Student Award from Alpha Iota Delta – the Decision Sciences Honor Society. He has been actively engaged in both professional and academic spheres for several years.

As an entrepreneur, he has served as an affiliate of several U.S.-based consulting firms―including RMA, HPC Inc., and Proplanner―specializing in industrial management, engineering consulting, training, and software development. He has also established various international franchising ventures. Concurrently, he has lectured at globally recognized universities in business schools and industrial engineering departments.

Currently, Dr. Butuner serves as an Associate Professor in the Engineering Management Graduate Program at TED University. He also leads IMECO (Industrial Management and Engineering Consulting), a firm affiliated with prominent U.S. consulting companies. In addition, he is the founder and president of the Turkish professional chapter of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers and a board member of the Institute of High-Performance Planners.

Throughout his extensive career as an industrial engineering and management professional, consultant, academic, and trainer, he has completed or contributed to over 100 projects in areas such as strategic planning, facilities design, operations improvement, and business process reengineering. He has developed and delivered training programs and workshops to more than 200 corporations and universities, generating multimillion-dollar, results-driven solutions.

Dr. Butuner is also the developer of Planning-by-Design-based methodologies, including Systematic Strategic Planning (SSP), Systematic Planning of Business Functions (SPBF), and Results-Based Systematic Operations Improvement (SIP), along with their corresponding software tools. He has authored 22 cited books and numerous papers, particularly in the fields of planning by design, operations management and improvement, supply chain management, and strategic business planning.