CSEP Preparation course overview

The International Council on Systems Engineering has established a multi-level Professional Certification Program to provide a formal method for recognizing the knowledge and experience of systems engineers, regardless of where they may be in their career. Two of the critical elements of this program are the Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) and Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) certifications.

CSEP Certification provides an individual with numerous advantages such as formal recognition of Systems Engineering capabilities, a competitive advantage in the job market, a portable designation that is recognized internationally and across industries and indication of a commitment to personal development.

Organisations benefit from having formal recognition of the capabilities of the team. This provides an additional selling point, improves communication and collaboration and promotes a commitment towards professional competence and continuous development.

ASEP is the entry level certification, proving that a person is proficient in INCOSE standardised practices and terminology. CSEP builds on ASEP by requiring a validated amount of Systems Engineering experience in various recognised areas. Critical to both these certifications is the ability to demonstrate proficiency in INCOSE standardised practices and terminology through the successful completion of an examination.

On completion of this course participants will be able to use the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook as a reference and guide for current and future systems engineering developments. Participants will be able to use common terminology to enhance communication and they will be able to explain the role and benefits of systems engineering within their organization. They will be able to describe the different processes that underpin system development, and be able to integrate the knowledge they gain with their industry or organisation as well as the ablility to use the Handbook and workshop processes in such a way as to prepare for the certification.

*With reference to the CSEP section on the www.incose.org site.

Who Should Attend This Systems Engineering Course?

Any person interested in obtaining either CSEP or ASEP certification.

CSEP Preparation Training Methods and Materials

The course is delivered using a mixture of presentation, discussion and a variety of practical exercises and group work sessions. Instead of presenting a lot of content and hoping that something will ‘stick’ the course utilises different adult learning techniques optimised for the type of content that needs to be mastered. Throughout the course there is a strong focus on interaction, variety, the social aspects of learning and integration with the learner’s existing knowledge framework. The result is a highly engaging course with a high degree of subject mastery.

You will be provided with:

• A copy of the Systems Engineering Handbook V3.2
• A workbook containing comprehensive course notes as well as exercises and references.
• A copy of the presentation slides
• Two practice sets of training questions (trial examinations)
• Training aids such as flash cards
• Complimentary access to PPI’s evolving Systems Engineering Goldmine
• An infrastructure to support your effort to master the content and obtain certification.

CSEP Presentation Course Outline

Day 1

• INCOSE certification overview, including benefits and limitations of certification
• Introduction to the Handbook and how it will be used during the workshop and for accreditation purposes
• Sharing of individual “war stories” as foundation for anchoring learning
• Systems Engineering Overview and Life-cycle stages – compare and contrast with definitions across industries and organisations
  • Definition of systems engineering
  • Origins of systems engineering
  • Systems of systems
  • Use of systems engineering
  • Life Cycle Characteristics
  • Introduction to tailoring
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Development Stage Approaches
• Benefits and scope of SE and a SE approach
• Case studies  - critique and learnings
• Becoming familiar with terminology
• Development of quiz questions for examination
• Learning review

Day 2

• Review with quiz questions
• Technical processes and how they support SE – researching the different components of technical processes through interactive group sessions:
  • Stakeholder Requirements Definition Process
  • Requirements Analysis
  • Architectural Design Process
  • Implementation Process
  • Integration Process
  • Verification Process
  • Transition
  • Validation Process
  • Operation Process
  • Maintenance
  • Disposal
  • Cross-Cutting Technical Methods
• Expanding familiarity with terminology
• Learning review

Day 3

• Project processes and their application – orientating project processes within the scope of SE and how they interface with other areas :
  • Project Planning Process
  • Project Assessment Process and Control Process
  • Decision-Making Process
  • Risk and Opportunity Management Process
  • Configuration Management Process
  • Information Management Process
  • Measurement Process
• Agreement processes – linking back to individual experience and developing new insights
  • Acquisition Process
  • Supply Process
• Organizational Project-Enabling Processes- researching the different components of enterprise processes through interactive group sessions:
  • Life Cycle Model Management Process
  • Infrastructure Management Process
  • Project Portfolio Management
  • Human Resource Management Process
  • Quality Management Process
• Expanding familiarity with terminology
• Learning review

Day 4

• Specialty engineering activities – discussion of the range of specialty activities available and broadening knowledge regarding these activities
  • Design for Acquisition Logistics – Integrated Logistics Support
  • Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
  • Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis
  • Environmental Impact
  • Interoperability
  • Life-Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Manufacturing and Producibility
  • Mass Properties Engineering
  • Safety & Health Hazard Analysis
  • Sustainment Engineering Analysis
  • Training Needs Analysis
  • Usability Analysis/Human Systems Integration
  • Value Engineering
• Expanding familiarity with terminology
• Tailoring review
• Handbook Review
• Practice exam and review
• The different adult learning preferences and how to apply your preference in preparation.
• Preparation for the exam – format, tips and suggestions
• Writing the exam – format, tips and suggestions
• Course Conclusion