A competency-based framework for leading complex engineering projects

Engineering projects require leadership that integrates technical depth with strategic management. This handbook provides a structured, competency-based framework designed specifically for high-pressure technical environments. Unlike traditional textbooks, this guide offers a non-sequential model for practitioners to find immediate, actionable answers to complex challenges.

It bridges the gap between standards and implementation, focusing on the core competencies essential for project success—from Project Controls to Knowledge Management. Whether you are an engineer transitioning into management or a veteran lead, this resource provides the technical specifics and leadership strategies needed to deliver value, manage high uncertainty, and align project outcomes with global strategic organizational goals. It is the essential reference for those seeking to enhance professional skills in a knowledge-intensive landscape.

Readers will also find:

• Practitioner-Focused Design: Jump directly to the competency you need; every chapter is self-contained with curated reading lists for deeper study
• Integrated AI Guidance: Navigate the impact of artificial intelligence, IoT, and blockchain woven throughout the project lifecycle—grounded in engineering practice
• Engineering-Specific Mastery: Focus on Intellectual Property, Configuration Management, and Value Engineering—critical competencies often missing from generic project management frameworks
• 130+ Years of Collective Expertise: Leverage actionable strategies validated by a globally diverse editorial team and over 30 subject matter experts

Designed for engineering project managers and technical leads, this handbook connects competency-based frameworks with actionable strategies. It equips professionals to lead multidisciplinary teams through complex lifecycles while navigating the legal, ethical, and technological shifts reshaping the global landscape of modern engineering projects.

Valerie P. Denney, DBA, is an associate professor with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide and a US Navy veteran. Additionally, she brings 30 years of aerospace industry experience in project, program, and engineering management across complex engineering development domains.

Gene Dixon, PhD, is a retired engineering educator and certified Professional Engineering Manager with over 30 years of experience managing general and technical projects with budgets up to $8 billion across nuclear industries, nonprofits, and academia. He served as Executive Director of the American Society of Engineering Management.

Artem Shushkov, CPEM, is a practitioner researcher who spent over 10 years of experience maximizing the value of R&D investments under a strategic portfolio at a major international energy company. He has trained over 500 engineers across BS, MS, MBA, and corporate programs, contributing to measurable improvements in value delivery across projects in a knowledge-intensive environment.