While a basic certificate consists of a single program, an advanced certificate consists of three programs. An expert certificate consists of five programs. Our fee structure reflects the advantages of expert level certification.

Foundation Programs

The following thirteen course of study are foundation certificates for most clients. They are platinum programs because they share considerable insight about the appropriate path to building and maintaining successful management-to-executive relationships. They also provide a framework for clarifying management thought and putting that thought into powerful management action.

For a complete list of our certificate programs and descriptions of their content, please log on to the SMI Learning Center. There you will see more clearly why we are the Virtual Learning leader in management and executive softskills development.

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CERTIFICATE PIS 202: ESTABLISHING THE EXECUTIVE AGENDA

Course Description: This program examines more comprehensively the challenges and constraints of working with executive management. The course raises issues which are of vital concern to executives and managers whenever they commit to expensive projects including: (1) developing the immediate strategies of business contingency; (2) assessing the potential business damage; (3) surviving the potential disaster or disappointment, and (4) succeeding at recovery and replacement. In this course you will learn how to:

(1) Put executive relationships on a business basis;
(2) Politically Establish the Executive Calendar for Pre-Project Action, and
(3) Manage the Executive Calendar to Enforce Post-Project Monitoring

Topic Listing:

PIS 202A: Employing a Project Initiation Methodology to Establish the Executive Agenda,
PIS 202B: Using the Project Initiation Methodology to Negotiate the Scope of Executive Involvement
PIS 202C: Using the Agenda Concept to Work with Executives
PIS 202D: Using the Agenda Concept to Build Efficient Executive Relationships
PIS 202E: Understanding Efficiency in the Executive Agenda Process
PIS 202F: Using the Executive Agenda Process Increase Productivity
PIS 202G: Using the Executive Agenda as a Script
PIS 202H: Guiding the Executive Agenda Process

CERTIFICATE PIS 204: BUILDING THE SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT CHARTER

Course Description: Program Management is value laden. Successful Program Managers clearly understand the principles of successful programs and they know how to politically transform these principles into a powerful charter. In this course, you will learn how to:

(1) Recognize Your Management Values;
(2) Articulate the Mission and Vision of Any Program;
(3) Politically Clarify the Embedded Goals of Any Program;
(4) More Effectively Select Appropriate Management Strategies;
(5) Design a Responsive Organization;
(6) Establish a Workable Decision Making Process, and
(7) Define a Successful Approach for Empowering the Management Structure.

Topic Listing:

PIS 204A: Chartering the Program, Project or Group
PIS 204B: Using the Charter to Build Team Relationships
PIS 204C: Using the Charter to Certify Operational Principles
PIS 204D: Using the Charter to Clarify the Conduct of Teams
PIS 204E: Using a Charter to Clarify the Strategy of a Program
PIS 204F: Summarizing the Charter Building Process

CERTIFICATE PIS201: SUCCESSFULLY INITIATING PROJECTS

Course Description: Many activities must be completed to Successfully Initiate Projects. This program is designed as a survey to enable students to prepare the Enterprise Level Plan of Action and Milestones from the systems perspective. In this certificate program, you will learn how to:

(1) Define Roles and Responsibilities;
(2) Negotiate the Executive Level Plan of Action;
(3) Recommend the Executive Calendar, and
(4) Recognize and Manage the Political Environment.

Topic Listing:

PIS 201A: Employing a Methodology to Successfully Initiate a Project
PIS 201B: Using the Methodology to Specify the Project Management Advisory Group
PIS 201C: Employing the Project Initiation Methodology to Enable the Values and Beliefs of Project Teams
PIS 201D: Using the Project Initiation Methodology to Manage Relationships with Business Partners
PIS 201E: Using the Project Plan as a Script of a Project
PIS 201F: Describing the Project Planing Process

CERTIFICATE PIS207: ESTABLISHING YOUR NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Course Description: Program Managers often work in the new product development environment. Launching a new product is a program which involves many disparate organizations form marketing and sales to manufacturing. This program introduces the new product development process. It discusses the steps of new product development from screening new ideas to making the major introduction. In this program, you will learn how to:

(1) Design an Improved Approach to New Product Development;
(2) Prepare a New Product Proposal Process;
(3) Define the Development Stage for New Products, and
(4) Conduct Market Tests.

Topic Listing:

PIS 207A: Introducing the New Product Development Process
PIS 207B: Understanding the New Product Development Process
PIS 207C: Understanding the Core Principles of New Product Development
PIS 207D: Describing a New Product
PIS 207E: Modeling the New Product Development Process
PIS 207F: Designing the New Product Development Environment

CERTIFICATE PIS208: PURSUING ADVANCED NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Course Description: This program builds upon program PIS207. It highlights the technical aspects of New Product Development (NPD) process from scenario setting and forecasting to implementation. We designed this program to build your competency in the implementation and management of the linked processes which form the new product development program. As with course PIS 207a, this program continues to link the three paths of new product excellence by expanding forecasting and scenarios setting and extending New Product Development to include the implementation of new products. The program is particularly appropriate for senior executives, product managers and engineers, organization managers, and others having to work with new product stakeholders. In this program, you will learn how to:

(1) Identify Where and How to Link Forecasting and Scenario Setting with NPD;
(2) Identify the Principal Aspects of NPD Implementation;
(3) Manage the NPD Process;
(4) Design an Appropriate NPD Plan-of-action;
(5) Establish the Environment to Provide Decision Support;
(6) Discriminate among the Different Types of Forecasting Available to NPD, and
(7) Discriminate among the Forms of Bias Present in NPD.

Topic Listing:

PIS 208A: Pursuing Advanced New Product Development
PIS 208B: Integrating NPD with Forecasting and Scenario Setting
PIS 208C: Designing the NPD Decision Support System
PIS 208D: Managing Bias in New Product Development
PIS 208E: Identifying the Obstacles to NPD Success
PIS 208F: Using Innovation to Prepare the NPD Environment
PIS 208G: Planning and Timing New Product Introduction
PIS 208H: Implementing New Products

CERTIFICATE PS102: NAVIGATING THE SUCCESSFUL PROPOSAL PROCESS

Course Description: The proposal process consists for two principle cycles: (1) the customer proposal development, and (2) the vendor response. This course lays the foundation for designing a successful proposal process. It covers the proposal writing process, its contents and format. In this course, you will learn how to:

(1) Build the Winning Proposal;
(2) Prepare the Executive Overview;
(3) Integrate the Proposal with the Strategic Business Vision;
(4) Organize the Solution;
(5) Link Information Technology to the Business Vision;
(6) Review Your Industry and Company Today;
(7) Lead the Process or Remain a Participant;
(8) Identify Information Technology Strengths;
(9) Propose the Information Technology Vision, and
(10) Clarify Your Information Technology Principles of Peak Performance.

Topic Listing:

PS 101A: Navigating the Successful Proposal Process
PS 101B: Building the Foundation of the Successful Proposal Process
PS 101C: Identifying the Stages of the Proposal Process
PS 101D: Understanding the Navigation Principles for Success
PS 101E: Identifying the Activities of the Proposal Process
PS 101F: Designing the Proposal Process
PS 101G: Obtaining Personal Competency in the Proposal Process
PS 101H: Implementing this Certificate in Your Environment

CERTIFICATE PS109: PROPOSING A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM (DSS)

Course Description: Decision Support Systems require counter-intuitive solutions to succeed. The Introduction of DSS into practical use require action opposite to those for other information system. Whiles other information systems projects commence with requirements definition, DSS end at this stage. For these reasons, DSS projects frequently require external consulting assistance. In this program, you will learn how to:

(1) Propose DSS Consulting Services;
(2) Identify Project Deliverables;
(3) Define Training and Presentation Requirements;
(4) Identify DSS Opportunities;
(5) Articulate a Knowledgeable DSS Approach;
(6) Prepare a Winning DSS Proposal;
(7) Identify Business and Management Opportunities, and
(8) Propose Reasonable Business Benefits.

Topic Listing:

PS 109A: Proposing a Decision Support System
PS 109B: Designing a Decision Support System
PS 109C: Identifying the DSS Proposal Audience
PS 109D: Planning the DSS Proposal
PS 109E: Designing the DSS Proposal
PS 109F: Using Design Architecture to Propose the DSS

CERTIFICATE RAS 2101: INTRODUCING REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS STUDIES

Course Description: RAS 2101 introduces Requirements Analysis and associated processes from concept to execution. Systems Management Institute intends this course to improve your performance in leading, designing, and managing the Requirements Analysis environment in your workplace. Bringing Structural Capital to the refinement of your Requirements Analysis environment, this program enables you to better establish and implement an appropriate Requirements Analysis process to support all program and product development activities within your organization and formalize relationships with senior managers and executives. In this Requirements Analysis course, you will learn how to:

1. Describe the Requirements Analysis Process (RA) using the expanded perspective of systems thinking;
2. Design an environment to place Requirements Analysis on a business basis;
3. Identify the principal components of the RA environment and relate it to the executive agenda;
4. Determine the commitments of executives for every program and/or project;
5. Design an appropriate management agenda linking RA to the business strategies;
6. Establish the structure for maintaining productive RA relationships with executives, clients, owners, and end-users;
7. Identify the RA structure, environment, process, and methodology design system;
8. Formally kick-off the RA process using the Charter approach, and
9. Identify important management and technical issues to be resolved from the beginning of any RA task.

Topic Listing:

RAS 2101A: Introducing the Requirements Analysis Studies
RAS 2101B: Mastering the Fundamentals of Requirements Analysis
RAS 2101C: Describing Operations Analysis
RAS 2101D: Defining Requirements and Specifications
RAS 2101E: Expanding Requirements Analysis Studies
RAS 2101F: Determining System Requirements
RAS 2101G: Specifying System Requirements
RAS 2101H: Delivering Stakeholder Requirements
RAS 2101I: Delivering Interface Requirements
RAS 2101J: Delivering Internal System Requirements
RAS 2101K: Taking Care of the Details in Requirements Analysis
RAS 2101L: The People Side of Requirements Analysis
RAS 2101M: Building Your Own Work Breakdown Structure for RA

CERTIFICATE CMS 801: INTRODUCING CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT STUDIES

Course Description: CMS 801 introduces Configuration Management and its processes from concept to execution. The instructor intends this course to improve your performance in leading, designing, and managing the Configuration Management environment in your workplace. Bringing Structural Capital to the refinement of your Configuration Management environment, this program enables you to better establish and implement an appropriate Configuration Management environment to support all product development activities within your organization and formalize relationships with senior managers and executives. In this Configuration Management Course, you will learn how to:

1. Describe Configuration Management (CM) using the expanded perspective of systems thinking;
2. Design an environment to enhance communications with executives regarding the business justification for Configuration Management;
3. Identify the principal components of the CM environment and relate it to the executive agenda;
4. Identify the commitments of executives for every project;
5. Design an appropriate management agenda linking CM to the business strategies;
6. Establish the structure for maintaining productive CM relationships with executives and end-users;
7. Identify the CM structure, environment, process, and methodology design system;
8. Formally kick-off the CM process using the Charter approach, and
9. Identify important management and technical issues to be resolved from the beginning.

Topic Listing:

CMS 801A: Introducing the Space of Configuration Management
CMS 801B: Identifying the Fundamentals of Configuration Management
CMS 801C: Justifying Configuration Management
CMS 801D: Mastering the Characteristics of Configuration Management
CMS 801E: Managing the Configuration Management Challenge

CERTIFICATE CMS 801: INTRODUCING CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT STUDIES

Course Description: CMS 801 introduces Configuration Management and its processes from concept to execution. The instructor intends this course to improve your performance in leading, designing, and managing the Configuration Management environment in your workplace. Bringing Structural Capital to the refinement of your Configuration Management environment, this program enables you to better establish and implement an appropriate Configuration Management environment to support all product development activities within your organization and formalize relationships with senior managers and executives. In this Configuration Management Course, you will learn how to:

1. Describe Configuration Management (CM) using the expanded perspective of systems thinking;
2. Design an environment to enhance communications with executives regarding the business justification for Configuration Management;
3. Identify the principal components of the CM environment and relate it to the executive agenda;
4. Identify the commitments of executives for every project;
5. Design an appropriate management agenda linking CM to the business strategies;
6. Establish the structure for maintaining productive CM relationships with executives and end-users;
7. Identify the CM structure, environment, process, and methodology design system;
8. Formally kick-off the CM process using the Charter approach, and
9. Identify important management and technical issues to be resolved from the beginning.

Topic Listing:

CMS 801A: Introducing the Space of Configuration Management
CMS 801B: Identifying the Fundamentals of Configuration Management
CMS 801C: Justifying Configuration Management
CMS 801D: Mastering the Characteristics of Configuration Management
CMS 801E: Managing the Configuration Management Challenge

CERTIFICATE PS 103: PREPARING THE REQUEST-FOR-PROPOSAL

Course Description: PS 103 covers RFP development from problem specification to RFP preparation and submission. The author designed this course to build the student’s competency in the design and management of the core activities which result in an effective RFP. This course links the three paths of the RFP building process by: (1) generating a methodology for managing the RFP cycle of the proposal process; (2) introducing design as the organizing perspective for improving RFP development, and (3) introducing the core competencies of the RFP development project. This course is particularly appropriate for program and project managers, product managers and engineers, organization managers, and executives having to work with strategic stakeholders. In this course, you will learn how to:

1. Design an environment for successful RFP specification and development;
2. Identify the principal stages and activities of RFP development;
3. Identify the participation requirements of stakeholders in RFP developmen;
4. Describe the design architecture of RFP development;
5. Identify core relationships contributing to effective RFP development;
6. Link the RFP with the enterprise;
7. Link the RFP with the charter and the strategic mission;
8. Discuss the requirements of personal competency in RFP development, and
9. Identify important decision points along the RFP process.

Topic Listing:

PS 103A: Preparing the Request for Proposal
PS 103B: Considering the Different Kinds of Requests
PS 103C: Identifying the Core Activities of RFP Development
PS 103D: Preparing the Introductory Sections of the RFP
PS 103E: Preparing the Middle Sections of the RFP
PS 103F: Preparing the Closing Sections of he RFP
PS 103G: Designing the RFP Process
PS 103H: Solving the Success Formula of RFP Development
PS 103I: Designing Strategies for Effective RFP Development
PS 103J: Obtaining Personal Competency in RFP Development
PS 103K: Successfully Applying this Course at Work

CERTIFICATE PS 110 JUSTIFYING PROPOSALS

Course Description: PS 110 covers proposal justification process from introduction to methodology. The author designed this course to build your proficiency in the design and management of the core activities resulting in an effective proposal justification. This course links the justification framework to justification methodology by: (1) introducing the justification concept; (2) identifying the components of proposal justification, and (3) introducing the stages in the justification methodology and process In this course, you will learn how to:

1. Describe the proposal justification process;
2. View the proposal justification process from the strategic perspective;
3. Discuss the difference between popular types of justifications;
4. Build a justification Plan of Action as a component of the justification process;
5. Describe the justification design architecture for the proposal;
6. Link the justification process with management practice;
7. Discuss the real versus apparent requirements of competency in proposal justification, and
8. Identify important components of the proposal justification methodology and process.

Topic Listing:

PS 110A: Introduction to Justifying Proposals
PS 110B: Components of Proposal Justification
PS 110C: Pre-designing the Proposal Justification
PS 110D: Planning the Proposal Justification
PS 110E: Designing he Proposal Justification
PS 110F: Using Design to Justify Proposals

CERTIFICATE PS 118: BUILDING THE WINNING PROPOSAL

Course Description: PS 118 covers proposal construction from conception to completion. The instructor designed this course to enhance your proficiency in the design, construction, and management of the core activities that result in an effective proposal. This course links the proposal framework to proposal methodology by: (1) introducing the proposal project concept; (2) identifying the components of the proposal architecture, and (3) introducing the stages in effective proposal construction. In this course, you will learn how to:

1. Describe the proposal building process and discuss the types of proposals;
2. View the proposal building process from the strategic perspective;
3. Master the psychological factors of proposal management;
4. Manage the link between proposal building, requirements analysis, and justification;
5. Build a proposal Plan of Action and describe the design architecture of an effective proposal;
6. Design the proposal team as a human activity system;
7. Link the proposal process with effective project management practice;
8. Discuss the real versus apparent requirements of team competency in proposal building;
9. Define important components of the proposal justification;
10.Describe the role of the charter in proposal building, and
11. Establish proposal evaluation guidelines.

Topic Listing:

PS 118A: Exploring the Territory of Effective Proposal Writing
PS 118B : Organizing the Winning Team as a Human Activity System
PS 118C: Becoming a Systems Thinker to Write Effective Proposals
PS 118D: Building the Proposal Architecture
PS 118E: Laying the Foundation for the Successful Proposal
PS 118F: Managing the Proposal Success Formula
PS 118G: Identifying Your Principles of Success
PS 118H: Mastering the Components of Effective Proposal Writing
PS 118I: Integrating the Evaluation Process to Improve Quality
PS 118J: Mastering the Activities of Proposal Building
PS 118K: Understanding the Strategic Dimension of Effective Proposals
PS 118L: Mastering the Psychology of Effective Proposal Writing
PS 118M: Understanding the Group Dynamics in Proposal Writing
PS 118N: Leading the Proposal Team to Success
PS 118O: Avoiding the Traps and Tarpits of the Proposal Project
PS 118P: Writing the Proposal to Lead the Vendor to Success
PS 118Q: Using Standards in Effective Proposal Writing
PS 118R: Constructing Your Proposal Project Charter
PS 118S: Integrating the Proposal Framework
PS 118T: Implementing this Course in Your Environment

"...to navigate a changing course, any champion must rapidly develop the capability of shifting and turning, of attaining new skills and attitudes, in short the capacity of winning."

Raymond L. Newkirk