Corporate Master's and Professional Development Programs

WPI has developed and delivered numerous customized courses in Power Systems Management:  

• WPI created a customized course in Power Transmission Operations and Controls for operators and IT professionals at one the largest U.S.  Independent System Operator organizations. The course was delivered in 5 sessions - 2 face-to-face at the ISO's training facility and 3 online.
• WPI created and delivers a customized protection and controls course for new test engineers at a large utility in the southern U.S. Each year, a member of WPI's faculty travels to the utility's training facility to deliver this multi-day course on the theory and design of protection systems

Power Cable Series (open enrollment):

To help utilities develop power cable expert engineers, WPI partnered with Dow to develop the Cable Tech series of on demand, online courses.  These cover the range from low to high voltage cables including their manufacture and their accessories. Learn more.

The Professional Development Series for Systems Engineering covers a wide range of topics such as Concepts of Systems Engineering, Stakeholder Needs, Systems Requirements, Systems Architecture and Design, and Systems Integration and Test. Throughout the program of study, the participants implement systems engineering methods and techniques taught on pre-selected projects and report their results. These topics are presented at a graduate level of quality and in a balanced theoretical and practical manner.

This program of study gives participants opportunities to explore systems engineering processes in the context of a complete product life cycle model, to elicit and express stakeholders expectations and requirements, to develop a user Concept of Operations (CONOPS), to plan and implement a risk management process, and to develop solution selection and acceptance criteria. The participants also explore best practices and techniques to conduct systems functional and performance analyses, manage requirements through the system lifecycle, develop creative alternative system architectures which address system operational, functional and physical viewpoints, manage system architecture and design through the product lifecycle, and develop strategies and plans for system integration, validation and verification testing. The program culminates with final status reports by the participants on their projects.

This course will present relevant User Experience concepts and techniques that should be considered while engaging in the core development of a mobile or embedded systems application. Students will be exposed to various best practices, discuss prototyping and testing strategies, examine case studies, and work through a design problem over a series of hands-on sessions. This session is intended for software developers. A background in computer science is assumed.

WPI’s Process Improvement Workshops will teach you proven techniques to help address systemic process issues that may be holding back your organization from reaching maximum efficiency. This series of workshops—customizable to meet your organization’s needs—will teach timely strategies to better understand the root causes of process difficulties, and then apply this knowledge to:

• Reduce variation
• Remove activities that contribute no value to the product or service produced
• Improve customer satisfaction
• Alleviate wasteful frustration
   

Specific Workshop Topics (WPI Recommends a Series of At Least Three)

• Advanced Design of Experiments
• Advanced Problem Solving and Root Cause Analysis
• Design of Experiments
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for the Systems Engineering Environment
• Introduction to Six Sigma Process Improvement Tools and Concepts
• Statistical Process Control
• Value Stream Process Mapping

Achieve greater customer satisfaction and increased market share by applying the principles of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) to your product and service development efforts. This customer focused, business-to-market methodology can be used anywhere a new product or service is to be introduced or re-introduced.

Additional Information: Design for Six Sigma is focused on process generation, rather than traditional Six Sigma process improvement. Its objective is to determine customer needs and business drivers, and incorporate them into the solution created.

Participants should be familiar with Statistical Process Control and Design of Experiments as well as general project management tools and techniques. The Institute is comprised of the following non-sequential workshops, one for each phase of the DFSS process:

• Define
• Measure
• Analyze
• Design
• Verify/Validate

Best practice companies use a system of defined metrics in manufacturing, service, and financial processes to ensure efficiency. This quality initiative - Six Sigma Process Improvement (SSPI) - is supported and driven by top leaders in today's successful organizations. WPI's SSPI Certificate provides the structure and expertise that will lead your organization to improved productivity and profitability, and can help you make the cultural changes necessary for success.

Additional Information:  The SSPI program is designed to be delivered at your corporate site with participation by cross-functional teams from your organization. Direct benefits to your bottom line are realized because our faculty incorporates your own organization's processes, products, and data. A special feature of this program is a team project assigned by senior management.

This program is comprised of 10 days of company-focused, continuous improvement training, divided into four distinct learning levels (Foundation, Learner, Practitioner, and Academy Level) to allow participants time to absorb and apply the techniques learned. The entire program can be completed in as little as 16-18 weeks.

Lean and Six Sigma are well established methodologies for quality improvement and cost reduction. These methodologies are more than just theoretical approaches; they have been proven to be effective in countless industries and companies around the world. Through a strong reliance on data, structured process, an empowered team, and a focus on the customer’s definition of quality and performance; these methodologies encompass a set of proven best practices.

Leadership and management training is a crucial investment for successful organizations. Leaders inspire and motivate the workforce, while managers plan, organize, and coordinate projects. These important contributors require training and support to maximize their effectiveness. Are your critical employees prepared for today's challenging business environment? 

Additional Information: Employees at a mix of organizational levels can benefit from development in leadership and management. This path provides a choice of workshops across key topical areas, plus room for customization in other development topics such as Six Sigma or lean enterprise, among others. Your workforce will emerge ready with the tools, tips and techniques they need to be successful.

Your program manager will work with you to ensure learning objectives are focused and relevant, and will help you select workshops based on your organizational goals and the experience level of your participants. In addition, our corporate offerings can be delivered on-site, offering added convenience for your employees and a greater participant rate than off-site programs. Learn more about this certificate program below by filling out the above form.

We recommend at least three of the following workshops to provide a strong foundational knowledge:

• Becoming an Effective Leader
• Collaborative Communications
• Developing the Team Process for Continuous Improvement
• Essential Management Skills for New Managers
• Finance for Engineers and Technical Professionals
• Handling Conflict, Confrontation and Difficult People
• Improving Your Negotiating Skills
• Influencing and Managing Peers
• Leading an Effective Cross-Functional Team
• Leading Remote and Virtual Teams
• Leading Through Change
• Performance Management
• Powerful Presentation Skills
• Time Management
• Train the Trainer

Building upon foundational leadership experiences, one goal of this program is to help your evolving leaders understand your changing landscape, deploy your corporate strategy and deepen their awareness of your internal value chain. Your Institute will be an intense and interactive learning experience, utilizing practical application of the theories learned through case studies, group discussions and team projects.

Additional Information: Below is just a sampling of topics to consider for your Advanced Leadership Program. WPI has the ability and expertise to develop additional topics outside of this list if needed by your organization.

• Leading Virtual and Remote Teams
• Managing Growth
• Leading Across Cultures
• Becoming A Global Organization
• Advanced Problem Solving
• Implementing Strategy
• Developing Effective Negotiation Skills
• Overcoming Resistance to Change
• Productivity Management
• Developing Skills for Critical Thinking, Innovation and Creativity
• Best Practices in Project Management
• Managerial Leadership

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) is a means of specifying engineering design and drawing requirements with respect to actual functions and relationships of part features. With the growing demand for more specifically and economically stated engineering design requirements, today's manufacturing professionals must thoroughly understand this universal engineering language.

Benefits of GD&T Training:

• Learn proficiency in reading engineering drawings
• Understand the latest in metrology techniques
• Gain basic knowledge of GD&T Symbology meanings and applications
• Successfully convey design intent, improve quality and reduce costs in the design-to-manufacturing process
• Apply the latest in tolerance management tools

This workshop will help you understand and use GD&T, the universal engineering language on engineering drawings. Your new skills, applicable to any manufactured product, will eliminate many of the communication problems prevalent in the design-to-manufacturing cycle.

Whether you are a senior executive, program manager, project manager or a project team member, it is your job to help your organization grow and increase its value form the project initiatives. Successful project planning and execution involves a carefully designed set of tools, techniques and processes designed to help manage change, drive competitive advantage, and deliver results in-line with your organization’s corporate strategy. Certification in Project Management is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after credentials for today’s professionals. This workshop can be tailored when delivered on site or to intact teams to incorporate their best practices and specific needs.

Curriculum:

• Principles of Project Management Methodology Project Management Planning and Scheduling
• Setting Boundaries and Planning  Techniques
• Project Leadership & Communications - Leading the Project Team
• Project Risk Management - Forecast, Monitor and Mitigate Risk
• Project Execution and Control - Running the Project and Project Pitfalls

WPI’s biomanufacturing training programs are designed to be efficient, intense, and immediately beneficial to individuals and companies alike. Workshops are flexible and scheduled to make the most of your valuable time while giving you a competitive edge in today’s biotech market.  

Current offerings include:

• Biomanufacturing for the Non-Specialist: What you need to know
• Upstream Processing of Animal Cell Culture Products
• Downstream Principles and Techniques
• Quality by Design (QbD) for Biopharmaceuticals
• Column Packing
• Fundamentals and Troubleshooting in Bioprocessing for Supervisors, Leaders, and Engineers

Visit the BETC homepage for more information.