Online Course

E_M 565 Introduction to Systems Management

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Term

Spring 2026

Duration

16 weeks, Live Online

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 

Introduction to Systems Management integrates project management and systems engineering management in the development, manufacture, and operation of complex systems. Complex systems, encumbered with schedule and cost constraints while pushing state of the art technology, present a challenge to today’s managers and require a systems approach to project planning, leading, organizing, monitoring, and controlling. The course is designed to assist engineering leaders and managers, systems engineers and architects, technical project and program managers, and hardware, software, electrical, mechanical and manufacturing engineers with projects involving complex system planning and development. The course includes case studies to relate concepts to real world practice and demonstrate how projects can succeed with a formalized systemic approach to project and systems engineering management. This course is a core ‘Managing Projects’ course in the ETM master’s degree, a required course for the systems engineering management graduate certificate and is available for continuing education.

Semester Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Location: Global Campus

Course meets at times posted via web conferencing software.

Required for:
Certificate: Systems Engineering Management
Elective for:
Master’s Degree

Gain Expertise in

  • Systems, Project, and Management
  • The System Engineering Process
  • Overview of Essentials
  • The Project Management Plan
  • Schedule, Cost, and Situation Analysis
  • The Project Manager and Leadership
  • Team Building and Team Interactions
  • System Engineering and Management
  • The Systems Engineering Management Plan
  • The Thirty Elements of Systems Engineering
  • Requirements Analysis and Allocation
  • Systems Architecting Principles
  • Software Engineering
  • Selected Quantitative Relationships
  • Trends in SE, SW, and PM
  • Selected New Perspectives
  • Integrative Management
  • Case Studie

Course Objectives

This course teaches the fundamental elements and concepts of integrated project management and systems engineering management. Its specific objectives are

  • To provide a general understanding of the interdependent relationships between project planning, leading, organizing, directing, and monitoring, and system development, build, operation, and sustainment;
  • To develop key concepts and principles usable by technical managers to plan a complex project across the systems life cycle;
  • To provide some practice using analytical tools to plan for the development of an affordable total system solution that addresses the right problem;
  • To clarify, improve and broaden one’s personal philosophy of project management, systems concepts, system design and development, requirements management, change management, and engineering ethics;
  • To strengthen the students’ communication and research abilities by exploring current societal needs addressable with a system solution;
  • To provide the student with opportunities to utilize critical thinking skills to analyze and solve complex problems.

Learning Outcomes

Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Understand the interdisciplinary processes critical to complex system development including the integrative management of projects and systems, situation analysis, team building and team interactions, requirements management and allocation, system architecture, feasibility analysis, logistics and maintenance support concepts, life cycle cost analysis, systems synthesis, analysis, and design optimization, design integration, test and evaluation, production, operations, sustainment, and system retirement and disposal.
  • Identify a current deficiency, problem, or opportunity that can be addressed with the design of a system solution; develop a clear succinct need statement for the system in the domain and language of the stakeholder; and complete the system concept selection process.
  • Define a comprehensive set of system design requirements for the system solution that spans the entire system life cycle and incorporate the essential design engineering disciplines.
  • Understand how to facilitate the design and supplier review and evaluation through formal design reviews for the system requirements, conceptual system/system design, preliminary system design, equipment/software design, and detailed/critical design and development.
  • Develop a Project Management Plan (PMP) and Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) for a complex system that includes cost, schedule and technical considerations, project and system requirements, integration of engineering specialties, risk management, change management, and management of outsourcing and global relationships.
  • Understand how to build a successful systems-focused organizational culture.

Lectures are live and interactive

Delivered 1x/week—early evening

Each live session is recorded

Instructor

Dr. Tahani Amer is the Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs at the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters and oversee more the 150 programs and projects. Dr. Amer has over 30 years of programs and projects leadership and management. She led NASA expert engineers in missions’ development, implementation, and operations as an Acting Associate Director for Flight Programs for Astrophysics Division. Dr. Amer leads and serves as the technical and programmatic expert of complex agency programs, supporting the Astrophysics Division. Currently, she is leading a team of extraordinal talents to seek to understand the universe and our place in it; and to investigate the very moment of creation of the universe and are close to learning the full history of stars and galaxies. Amer has worked in Planetary Science Division on the Sample Receiving Project (SRP) and has worked in ESD on three important NASA Missions in Earth Science: Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory (GeoCarb), Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT), and Atmosphere Observing System (AOS). Prior to joining Science Mission Directorate, Dr. Amer worked in Technology Development Mission Directorate, Independent Program Assessment office that evaluates other NASA major programs, wind tunnels experiments; and Computational Fluid Dynamics Project (CFD). Dr. Amer is an inspiration to women and represents NASA as an ambassador of a Modern Figure. Dr. Amer lives her life by 3- Principles: “Please God and you will please all. Education is the key to opportunity. Serve others with compassion and kindness.” Dr. Amer is an inspiration to women and represents NASA as an ambassador of a Modern Figure.

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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