Systems Thinking in Engineering

Engineers can no longer rely on traditional methods to deliver complex projects.

Across all industries we are seeing increasing complexity due to rapid shifts in technology, urbanisation, availability of information, scarce resources, and the evolving connection between humans and machines.

Organisations are fast adopting systems engineering practices to respond to this fluid and fast changing environment. 

In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how a systems engineering approach can help you understand and manage complexity and risk. You'll learn:

• the concepts and principles that underpin the engineering of systems
• the benefits of applying systems engineering to projects
• how to bring all the working parts together to manage complex projects
• tools, techniques and methods for creating secure systems capabilities
• the importance of a 'whole-of-life’ view of the engineering of systems

At the end of the course, you'll have the knowledge to make better engineering decisions when managing complex projects with many contributors. You'll also have the skills to contribute to systems engineering capability in your workplace

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the principles of systems engineering
• Compare complexity theory and systems thinking
• Identify conceptual tools to work with complex systems

Intended audience

This course suits engineers and related professionals with 5 to 10 years experience. It is relevant across all industries, sectors and disciplines.

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course format

This course is delivered through Engineering Education Australia’s online digital learning platform.

You'll learn using a mix of practical case studies, quizzes and reading, audio and video materials. You'll also apply your knowledge in practice with a variety of assessment tasks and learning checks.

It will take approximately eight hours to complete. As it is self-paced, you can start anytime and save your progress as you finish each module.

Once you register for the course, you have 90 days to complete it.

Presenter information

Jawahar Bhalla (JB) is an expert in systems engineering. He teaches engineers and other professionals to apply systems thinking to complex projects. 

During his extensive 30-year career, JB has held technical and leadership roles with multinational organisations. He has also delivered complex systems capability for the defence and civil sectors. 

JB contributes to the advancement of knowledge across industry in his leadership roles with two peak bodies: Systems Engineering Society of Australia (SESA) and Simulation Australasia. 

JB's courses explain systems engineering concepts and offer tangible tools to improve project performance.