Industrial engineering is a form of systems engineering. Here the systems in question are production systems, inclusive of services production. The design, management, and improvement of production systems are the basic tasks of the industrial engineer. Man, machine, material, method, and environment, which are known as the basic factors of production, are managed in an optimal way to ensure corporate success. The systems approach and process management are the bases upon which this is achieved. Industrial engineers are equipped with scientific tools such as statistics, simulation, operations research/optimization, planning, and in particular production planning, work systems analysis and design, quality engineering tools and total quality management, and productivity management. They are furthermore expected to be capable of planning, evaluation, and research & development, too. In addition to these scientific methods, industrial engineers are expected to have some knowledge of financial/business administration. Significant contributions to business success are achieved through the use of diagnosis and prevention-oriented studies. All the tools of information technologies (management information systems, computer integrated manufacturing, etc.) are actively applied in all branches of industrial engineering.
