Vodafone
Tom Lovett, Research Engineer
Vodafone
Biography
MEng Systems Engineering from Loughborough. Currently doing an EngD in Systems Engineering at the University of Bath and Vodafone Research and Development.
Employer
Name of organisation: Vodafone Group
Number of employees: 60,000+
Size: Large
Name of business unit or department: Research and Development
1. How many people are part of the project team with which you would typically work and what are their roles?
7 people: myself (managing research project, software development), line manager (oversees team and projects), software developers (2), industrial placement student, business and marketing specialist.
2. In a typical week, what percentage of your time would you spend on project management and organisational tasks and could you give some examples of your work activities?
Typically 30%. Activities include; designing, building and testing intelligent mobile systems as part of my research.
3. If you were interviewing for a new engineering project manager, what skills and personal attributes would you look for in a candidate?
Reliability, managing experience and ability to understand all phases of the project.
4. What are the most common weaknesses you have seen in newly-qualified graduate engineers?
Lack of practical experience.
5. What training and development do new project managers require when they begin employment in your business area?
Standard management training, higher degree qualification(s).
6. What is the single most important piece of advice that you would give to a new graduate engineer who is in charge of projects?
Know your system.
