First, it applies to all types of industrial, commercial, and government activities. Second, it is the only branch of engineering that is explicitly concerned with people as well as things.
Industrial engineers are prime sources of management talent.
They learn to make decisions concerning best use of people, material, equipment, and energy in achieving an organization's aim. To accomplish best use of resources, the industrial engineer systematically collects, analyzes, and arranges factual information in such a way as to fulfill management's needs. Develop applications of new processing, automation, and control technology. Install data processing systems, wage incentive systems, and performance measures. Research new products and product applications.