Course Highlights

• This course is delivered in our Live Online format which enables real-time interaction with faculty and global peers
• Two days of the course focus on the design structure matrix (DSM) method, while the third day teaches modern agile development methods
• Through lectures, exercises, interactive discussions, and teamwork, you will learn two sets of techniques which you can use to better handle the complexity of large product and service development efforts
• You will earn a certificate of course completion from the MIT Sloan School of Management

Why attend Managing Complex Technical Projects?

Managing complex technical projects is a massive effort well beyond the scope of a simple project plan. Complex systems are comprised of hundreds or thousands of interconnected components, each potentially developed by a different group of people distributed over multiple organizations. Cost and schedule overruns are common. How can technical program leaders better manage such a complex process?

This project management training program enables participants to reduce the complexity involved in large projects by restructuring development and management procedures in ways that produces small-team results. MIT’s innovative solution, based on the design structure matrix (DSM), is devised to streamline complex projects by developing detailed models to understand the intricate interactions and iterative nature of design. The course also discusses modern agile development methods and their application in complex technical projects.

Course Experience

Through lectures, exercises, interactive discussions, and teamwork, you will learn two sets of techniques which technical managers can use to better handle the complexity of large product and service development efforts. Two days of the course focus on the design structure matrix (DSM) method, while the third day teaches modern agile development methods.

DSM techniques have been used by MIT researchers to study complex system development and to help technical managers improve project performance. After field-testing DSM in dozens of organizations and industries around the world, the method is now being applied in a wide range of technical industries – automotive, software, aerospace, telecommunications, medical devices, energy systems, electronics, capital equipment, large-scale construction, and more.

Agile development techniques have been evolving in the software industry for many years. Today we are finding ways to apply agile methods in many other types of technical projects. However, some of the techniques that work for software projects are difficult to apply in other realms. The key to application of agile methods is to understand which of the many tools to use in any particular project.

Learn more about the live online experience. 

Applying to the Course

We accept enrollments until the offering reaches capacity at which point we will maintain a waitlist. Many of the courses fill up several weeks in advance, so we advise that you enroll as early as possible to secure your seat.

You can begin the application process by using the red Enroll Now bar at the bottom of the screen.

Have Questions?

Contact Us if you would like to speak with a program director or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common questions about our courses.