Systems Engineering and Program Management from Coursera

This course teaches the learner how to apply Systems Engineering to the overall management of a complex program. This includes tailoring the systems engineering process to the specific needs of a particular program. The risk management process is described, including how to identify risks and develop a mitigation strategy. The key management tools are described along with how the scope of a program is defined and managed according to the terms of the contract.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

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Syllabus

Planning the Work

We will begin Course 3 be examining the documentation that is sued to define the scope of a project and then manage to that scope. Unmanaged scope growth is detrimental to the performance of a program and is equally frustrating for both the customer and the supplier. Getting things carefully documented at the outset is key to the early identification of changes in scope. Lets look at the tools of the trade for keeping ourselves on task and focused on meeting the end user's needs.

Managing Cost and Contracting Fundamentals

In this module, we will learn about how to manage cost on a program. We will look at some considerations for creating a forecast and how to measure performance against the forecast. In the second half of the module, we will go over some contracting fundamentals. I don't want to make anyone into a Contracts Manager, but rather convey some top-level considerations on how various contract types impact behavior on the engineering team.

Risk, Risk Management, and Change Control Management

In this module, we will learn the process for managing risks and opportunities. Systems Engineers bring a lot to the table for this important task because they have been trained to look at things in terms of system-level impacts and with a lifecycle view. Our goal will be to learn how to develop actionable intelligence that will help your program mitigate the impact of realized risks or prevent their occurrence altogether. In the second half of the Module, we will learn about change management - both from a contractual standpoint as well as managing engineering changes, which are two distinct processes.

Dealing with Failures

This module could be considered kind of depressing because it is about dealing with failures. However, a little bit of preparation can go a long way to helping the team recover from a disappointing outcome with dignity and professionalism. We will examine the process for establishing and conducting failure reviews. Thankfully, most failures are not terribly catastrophic, but even the more inconsequential failures can benefit from a rigorous investigative process. One of the most important, and often illusive aspects of dealing with a failure is identifying the root cause. We will spend some time learning about a handful of pragmatic tools to assist with this.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by experts like William Van Atten, who are known for their work in systems engineering

Explores the lifecycle of a complex program to develop actionable intelligence

Develops risk management and change control strategies to mitigate risk

Ideal for engineers and technical professions who desire entry into management

Suitable for learners with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience

Examines contracting fundamentals to promote effective management

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Systems Engineering and Program Management with these activities:

Organize and review course materials

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Establish a structured approach to managing course materials, ensuring efficient access and retrieval of information throughout your learning journey.

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Create a dedicated folder or notebook for course materials
Organize materials into logical categories, such as lecture notes, readings, and assignments
Review materials regularly to reinforce understanding and identify areas for further study

Brush up on probability and statistics

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Strengthen your foundation in probability and statistics to enhance your understanding of risk analysis and decision-making in Systems Engineering.

Browse courses on Probability

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Review basic concepts of probability, such as events, outcomes, and distributions
Practice solving probability problems
Explore statistical techniques relevant to Systems Engineering, such as hypothesis testing and regression analysis

Discuss contracting fundamentals with peers

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Engage with your peers to gain diverse perspectives on contracting fundamentals and best practices.

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Join an online forum or study group dedicated to project management
Participate in discussions on contracting topics
Share your insights and learn from the experiences of others

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Practice identifying and analyzing risks

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Engage in structured exercises to sharpen your ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks.

Browse courses on Risk Management

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Use online resources or textbooks to find sample risk scenarios
Identify the key risks, their potential impacts, and likelihoods
Develop mitigation strategies for each identified risk

Follow tutorials on change management best practices

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Explore online tutorials and resources to gain practical knowledge on effective change management processes.

Browse courses on Change Management

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Search for online tutorials on change management best practices
Review the tutorials and identify key concepts and techniques
Apply these concepts to a small-scale project or scenario

Develop a project plan for a small-scale Systems Engineering project

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Apply your understanding of Systems Engineering to a practical project, developing a comprehensive plan that outlines goals, scope, and deliverables.

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Define the project's objectives, scope, and constraints
Identify stakeholders and their involvement
Develop a work breakdown structure (WBS)
Estimate resources, timelines, and budget
Create a risk management plan

Contribute to an open-source project related to Systems Engineering

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Engage with real-world projects to apply your knowledge, contribute to the community, and enhance your understanding.

Browse courses on Systems Engineering

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Identify an open-source project in the field of Systems Engineering
Read the project's documentation and codebase
Identify an area where you can contribute, such as bug fixing or feature development
Contact the project maintainers and propose your contribution
Submit a pull request with your changes and provide documentation

Produce a technical report on Systems Engineering best practices

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Demonstrate your understanding by creating a comprehensive report that synthesizes best practices and innovative approaches in Systems Engineering.

Browse courses on Systems Engineering

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Research various Systems Engineering methodologies and best practices
Analyze case studies and identify successful applications
Write a technical report that presents your findings, recommendations, and insights

Career center

Learners who complete Systems Engineering and Program Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Systems Engineer

Engineers design, build, and test the systems that power the modern world - from cars and planes to computers and smartphones. Systems Engineers focus on the big picture, ensuring that all the parts of a system work together seamlessly. This course teaches Systems Engineering fundamentals, helping one to land a job as a Systems Engineer. By learning how to apply Systems Engineering to complex programs, one gains skills that are in high demand in various industries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Program Manager

Program Managers oversee the planning, execution, and completion of complex projects. They work with stakeholders to define project goals, develop budgets, and timelines, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. This course, which teaches Systems Engineering and Program Management, provides one with the skills needed to succeed as a Program Manager. By learning how to manage the scope, cost, and risk of a program, one can gain a competitive edge in this field.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and mitigate risks that could impact an organization's operations or reputation. They work with stakeholders to develop and implement risk management strategies, and provide guidance on how to manage risk effectively. This course can help one to become a Risk Manager by teaching risk management fundamentals and how to apply them to complex programs.

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Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the planning, execution, and completion of projects. They work with stakeholders to define project goals, develop budgets, and timelines, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. This course may be useful for aspiring Project Managers as it teaches Systems Engineering and Program Management, which are valuable skills for managing complex projects.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts study how systems work and design new systems or improve existing ones. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, analyze data, and develop solutions that meet the needs of the organization. This course may be useful for Systems Analysts as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how systems work and how to improve them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts study how businesses operate and design new processes or improve existing ones. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, analyze data, and develop solutions that meet the needs of the business. This course may be useful for Business Analysts as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how businesses operate and how to improve them.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software systems. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, analyze data, and develop solutions that meet the needs of the user. This course may be useful for Software Engineers as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how to design and develop software systems.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. They work with stakeholders to gather data, develop data analysis plans, and present findings in a clear and concise way. This course may be useful for Data Analysts as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how to collect, analyze, and interpret data.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work with stakeholders to develop and implement operational plans, and ensure that the organization is running smoothly and efficiently. This course may be useful for Operations Managers as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how to manage operations effectively.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts study the financial performance of companies and make recommendations on how to improve it. They work with stakeholders to gather data, analyze financial statements, and develop financial models. This course may be useful for Financial Analysts as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how to analyze financial data and make sound financial decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers oversee the planning and execution of marketing campaigns. They work with stakeholders to develop marketing strategies, create marketing materials, and track the results of marketing campaigns. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how to develop and execute marketing campaigns effectively.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers oversee the sales team and work to achieve sales goals. They work with stakeholders to develop sales strategies, create sales materials, and track the results of sales campaigns. This course may be useful for Sales Managers as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how to develop and execute sales strategies effectively.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources department and work to manage the employees of an organization. They work with stakeholders to develop human resources policies, create human resources programs, and track the results of human resources initiatives. This course may be useful for Human Resources Managers as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how to manage human resources effectively.

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IT Manager

IT Managers oversee the information technology department and work to manage the technology of an organization. They work with stakeholders to develop IT strategies, create IT policies, and track the results of IT initiatives. This course may be useful for IT Managers as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how to manage technology effectively.

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Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistants provide administrative support to executives and managers. They work with stakeholders to schedule appointments, manage correspondence, and prepare reports. This course may be useful for Administrative Assistants as it provides an overview of Systems Engineering and Program Management, which can be helpful for understanding how to manage administrative tasks effectively.

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Systems Engineering and Program Management

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