IEEE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT REVIEW
From The Editor: Volume 29, Number 4, Fourth Quarter 2001

A Time to Reach Forward
David J. Wells
University of Houston

The previous issue was entitled "Facing Challenge." It began with the feature articles "Moving Upward in a Downturn," "Driving Organizational Change in the Midst of Crisis," and "The coming Crunch." By 10 September, the edition was well into production. The economic indicators were already signaling a major shift and considerable uncertainty. Although the theme was coincidental, it paled in the face of the real challenges that were to come.

Nothing matches the sadness that I feel for what has happened and what has been so senselessly stolen from civility. Yet living in the presence of a real threat has been the norm in so many regions of the world. On 10 September, we were only bracing for a recession. I wish that were the case now. We have so much more to sort out; there is physical and economic recovery, continuing threats of damage and disease, military action, treaties, personal safety, and national security issues. These concerns, and the announcement of an additional 160,000 job cuts (according to a recent Economist article), are now a part of the landscape and must be addressed.

As a community of nations, a community of industries, and a community of professions, we must now cope with forces that are not merely opposing, but ones that are personally threatening and destructive on a massive scale. With well over 5000 lives lost, many families are experiencing personal loss on some level, our own not withstanding. We are again reminded that freedom and prosperity require far more than a little care and effort; they are not to be taken for granted.

The precious value of freedom is a torch passed to our generation to be enjoyed, protected, and then passed along to the next generation; this a great responsibility that should not be taken lightly. And we should be reminded that sacrifices are demanded from time to time. We must review our fundamental values in order to determine what must be maintained and what can be sacrificed in our nation's way of life.

What has this to do with engineering management?
In some respects, engineered products were both the ends and the means in the terrorist act; they represent the productive and pervasive influence of technology and trade, but they also amplify the potential for destruction as well as growth.

This issue's theme, "Organizing Growth," was also selected before 11 September. Engineering is a creative profession, and new technologies must be developed to provide greater protection for the people and economic infrastructure. The goal of engineers and of management is not only to improve products, but to contribute, to protect, to enhance quality of life . . . and to move forward.

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT REVIEW
A publication of the IEEE Engineering Management Society