Book excerpt: The engineer's guide to economical decision-making Engineering economics is an important subject for both aspiring and practicing engineers. As global competition increases, engineers are increasingly asked to analyze and monitor their processes and products, not only to ascertain their level of quality but their cost-effectiveness as well. It is imperative to know the scientific and engineering principles of design work and decision-making in a world where technology is constantly evolving. Kleinfeld's Engineering Economics: Analysis for Evaluation of Alternatives offers students, professors, and professionals guidance for making smart, economical decisions when it comes to design and manufacturing.