The CSUN Edge

Data Driven Decision Making in Engineering Management

Sina Talebian, Staff Product Data Analyst at PlayStation and alumnus of California State University Northridge, joins the show to discuss why data analytics and visualization are essential skills for today’s engineering managers. From his early exposure to data in Excel to building insights in industry, Sina explains how data enables better decision making across operational, tactical, and strategic levels. He also breaks down the importance of asking the right questions, understanding both internal and external data, and using visualization to communicate insights effectively. The conversation explores common pitfalls of ignoring data, how to build a data driven culture, and how tools like Tableau, Python, and SQL are shaping modern workflows. Sina also shares his perspective on the role of generative AI, where it can help, and where human judgment remains critical.

AI, Systems Thinking, and the New Role of Project Managers

Project management isn’t what it used to be. Dr. Dale Deardorff shares lessons from over three decades in high-stakes environments like Boeing and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. He explains how systems thinking, AI, and leadership come together to manage complex projects today. This episode focuses on what actually works—how teams handle uncertainty, how decisions are made, and what modern project managers need to stay effective.

From Supply Chains to Value Chains: Sustainability, AI, and the Future of Operations

Dennis Gawlik, an engineering management educator and industry leader with more than 30 years of experience, joins the show to discuss how supply chains are evolving into value driven systems. Drawing from his work at companies like Amazon, T Mobile, Alaska Airlines, and Starbucks, Dennis shares real world insights into operations, procurement, and sustainability. In this conversation, we explore how artificial intelligence and data analytics are transforming supply chain decision making, from forecasting and risk management to long term sustainability. Dennis also discusses why value creation now goes beyond efficiency, and how these ideas are being integrated into engineering management education to prepare future leaders for an increasingly complex and technology driven landscape.

The Importance of the Systems View of Quality Management today

In the premiere episode of The CSUN Edge, host Dr. Jimmy Gandhi is joined by quality management expert Dr. Bill Bellows and CSUN alumnus Nick Myers to explore why meeting requirements isn’t enough in today’s engineering and business environments. Together, they dive into the difference between acceptability and desirability, and why adopting a systems view of quality is critical to innovation, efficiency, and long-term success. Through real-world examples from aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing, the conversation challenges traditional thinking and highlights how small shifts in mindset can lead to major improvements in performance and integration.