Online Course

E_M 590 Leading Design and Innovation

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Term

Spring 2026

Duration

16 weeks, Asynchronous

Price

Non-Refundable Application Fee: US$90
View Tuition and Fees for Tuition Rates

Admission

Apply online via EngineeringCAS. Priority application deadlines by term: November 15 (Spring); July 15 (Fall); March 15 (Summer)

Course Description and Objectives

Leading Design and Innovation covers techniques to identify opportunities for innovation and methods to lead comprehensive product design and development. Key topics include product management lifecycle, AI product design, design for manufacturability, product vision and strategy, Scrum and agile development methodologies, Standardization, designing for quality, and data driven design decisions.

Course Objectives

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the product management lifecycle, focusing on developing the skills necessary for effective product management in various stages, from ideation to decline. Students will identify and describe the stages of the product lifecycle and the role of a product manager. Students will learn to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios and align their decisions with the product’s lifecycle to maximize success.

  • Students will define a product’s vision and strategic direction by understanding the market, competition, and customer needs. Develop strategic visioning skills by analyzing market and competitive landscapes and crafting comprehensive product hypotheses and user personas.
  • Planning the product’s timeline and steps from conception to launch is covered next, involving the creation of detailed product roadmaps, aligning with business strategy, and prioritizing features based on value and feasibility.
  • Explore AI product design, including cost analysis, technical planning, understanding AI-synthesized media, and applying the Lawler Model for AI problem definition and product design synthesis.
  • Evaluate collaborative development techniques, resource, time, and scope management, and the translation of requirements into actionable technical specifications.
  • Examine the iterative development cycle, particularly using agile methodologies like Scrum, Agile, and integrating user feedback to align the product with project goals.
  • Analyzing data to inform decisions and track product success involves lessons on conducting A/B testing, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), and gathering user feedback.

Semester Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Location: Global Campus

Course meets at times posted via web conferencing software.

Selective for:
Certificate: Supply Chain Management
Certificate: Industrial Leadership
Certificate: Six Sigma Quality Management

Elective for:
Master’s Degree

Gain Expertise in

  • Define a vision and strategic direction for the product.
  • Plan the steps and timeline that the product will follow from conception to launch and beyond.
  • Evaluate AI product design.
  • Improve product development by incorporating iterative techniques such as Scrum, Agile, and Lean manufacturing.
  • Implement design for quality techniques.
  • Balance resources, time, and scope to deliver a product that meets users’ needs.
  • Analyze data to inform decisions and track the success of the product.
  • Recommend a strategic withdrawal of a product from the market, managing declining sales, and transitioning customers and resources to new offerings.

Lectures are live and interactive

Delivered 1x/week—early evening

Each live session is recorded

Instructor

About:

Jim Jones, PhD, most recently served as a subject matter expert for Emeritus and instructor for the newly launched Technical Project Certification program offered through MIT.

Prior to Emeritus,  Dr. Jones was a subject matter expert, course designer, and Technical Project Management instructor for Thinkful. At Thinkful, Dr. Jones facilitated the online class lectures, created course content and assessment rubrics.

Before his role at Thinkful, Dr. Jones was the Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) where he provided vision, leadership, integrative management, and direction for the University’s shared and secured information systems. Furthermore, he helped to mobilize and promote leading-edge computing technology environment for faculty and students.

Dr. Jones had been with Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, serving as Associate CIO and Interim CIO responsible for strategic planning, contract negotiation for technology projects, and facilitating budget growth and project governance into technology initiatives.

Applicants to the ETM program must have the following:

Minimum requirements:

  • a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • a transcript*
  • at least one letter of recommendation**
  • a personal statement
  • a résumé showing work experience

Learn more about the Master of Engineering and Technology Management.

Minimum requirements:

  • a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • a transcript*
  • a personal statement
  • a résumé

Because the certificates consist of regular graduate courses, admission to the graduate school is still necessary.

Learn more about ETM certificate programs.

* The ETM program is designed for working professionals, and we highly value your work experience and determination. We may be able to offer provisional admission to those who do not meet the Graduate School’s minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. Please contact us at etm@wsu.edu for more information.

** The program accepts both academic and professional letters.

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