Product Development & Systems Engineering (INCOSE / 15288)

Name: Product Development & Systems Engineering (INCOSE / 15288)
Rating: 4.5 (6419 reviews)

The complete Product Development and Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours!

Created byChristopher Olson

Last updated 8/2025

English

What you'll learn

How to develop complex products or systems
How to apply "systems thinking" by approaching problem solving holistically, from the top-down.
What a product hierarchy is and how to use them.
How to define system boundaries and primary interfaces in a context diagram.
How to identify, involve and elicit requirements from system users and key stakeholders.
How to compartmentalize your need / problem set into manageable domains, ultimately arriving at solutions from the "top-down".
Who a Systems Engineer is and what their roles and responsibilities are.
How Systems Engineering will add value to your product development effort.
How to apply the Systems Engineering Method toward solving your identified need / problem set.
How to manage across your product's life cycle, in-depth, phase by phase.
What milestones and decision gates are and how to apply them on your development project.
How to decide which life cycle strategy is best for your development project.
How to apply the various technical processes throughout your product's life cycle.
How to formulate the operational concept and other life cycle concepts for your system.
How to elicit and capture business and stakeholder requirements.
How to capture a formal problem or need statement, which kicks off your development project.
How to define, derive and decompose system requirements.
How to write effective requirements.
How to capture your requirements in a System Requirements Specification (SyRS).
How to identify the different types of requirements and their role in the development effort.
What architectures are and how to define and capture the architecture for your system.
What Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is and how to apply it.
What the System Modeling Language (SysML) and Unified Modeling Languages (UML) are.
How to create each type of SysML and UML diagram.
How to develop formal use cases.
How to decompose system functions or behaviors into smaller, more manageable sets.
How to construct the functional flows and relationships throughout your system architecture.
How to formulate the physical solution for your product.
How business relationships and contracting play a role in product development.
What Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are and how they are used.
How to apply system implementation, integration and verification.
How verification and validation help foster a successful product.
How to apply systems engineering toward system manufacturing & production.
How to transition your product into the marketplace.
How to sustain and upgrade your products once they are fielded and being used.
How to plan and execute the ultimate disposal of your system.
How to apply project management principles toward your product development efforts.
What the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) is and how to make it effective for your project.
What a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is and how to use it on your project.
What the Product Breakdown Structure (PBS) is and how it is different than the WBS.
How to apply formal decision management and trade study processes.
How to manage risks for your development effort.
How to manage the configuration of your system and its enabling elements.
How to apply quality assurance toward developing your product.
How to apply information management for your development effort.
How to apply measures, such as: Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs), Measures of Performance (MOPs), Key Performance Parameters, Technical Performance Measures
How to form business relationships and contracts using the acquisition process and supply process.
How to apply life cycle management.
How to manage the portfolio of projects.
How human resource management plays a role in product development.
How to apply quality management throughout the organization.
How to tailor the processes to suit the needs of your projects or organizational goals.
How to use modeling & simulation and prototyping to save time and money on your development effort.
How to use the Object Oriented Systems Engineering Method (OOSEM) toward the development of system software.
How to apply Lean Systems Engineering principles.
The fundamentals of Agile Systems Engineering.
The fundamentals of specialty engineering disciplines
Finally - How to prepare for the INCOSE certification knowledge exam.

Course content

9 sections • 102 lectures • 25h 2m total length

Course Introduction15:41
This lesson will introduce you to the purpose and scope of systems engineering and the overall system lifecycle for a product or system.
System Defined5:04
This lesson provides a definition of what we mean when we use the word "system".
System Hierarchies10:13
This lesson will introduce you to the concept of hierarchies and a tiered, or top-down architecture.
The System Context17:49
This lesson will introduce you to how to determine and set up your system boundaries and creating the context diagram to express how your system interacts with the outside world.
System Domains21:36
This lesson will introduce you to system domains - where we can capture and organize the elements of our system as they are created.
Users & Stakeholders6:58
This lesson will introduce you to the key players in product development: system users and stakeholders.
Boundaries & Interfaces10:29
This lesson will expand on the concepts of system boundaries and interfaces, emphasizing how we can identify, define and manage them.
Systems Engineering Overview18:54
This lesson will give you an overview of what systems engineering is and the activities that take place as a part of performing systems engineering.
Alternative Systems Engineering Methods6:10
This lesson briefly reviews the various systems engineering models and methods you may encounter on your adventures as a product developer.
Systems Thinking5:10
This lesson introduces you to the concept of "systems thinking" - or in other words, "thinking about the big picture". The great thing about applying systems thinking is that it can be applied to almost any real world scenario - not just product development.
The Origins & Evolution of Systems Engineering5:12
This lesson will briefly cover the origins of systems engineering and how it has changed over the years.
The Systems Engineer18:37
The final lesson in this section will cover who a systems engineer is, their roles and responsibilities as well as typical career progressions of systems engineers.

An Overview of the Life Cycle34:34
In this lesson, we will provide an overview of the general product life cycle.
Milestones & Gate Reviews10:35
This lesson will cover the periodic checkpoints we perform as we progress through a product's life cycle. Major checkpoints are called milestones, while the more minor detailed checkpoints are called gate reviews.
The Concept Stage11:28
This lesson will provide a brief introduction to the first life cycle stage: the concept stage.
The Development Stage3:50
This lesson will provide a brief introduction to the second life cycle stage: the development stage.
The Production Stage2:27
This lesson will provide a brief introduction to the third life cycle stage: the production stage.
The Utilization Stage2:03
This lesson will provide a brief introduction to the fourth life cycle stage: the Utilization stage. This stage takes place at the same time as the Support Stage.
The Support Stage1:31
This lesson will provide a brief introduction to the fifth life cycle stage: the support stage. This stage takes place at the same time as the utilization stage.
The Retirement Stage1:53
This lesson will provide a brief introduction to the final life cycle stage: the retirement stage.
Life Cycle Alternatives4:03
This lesson will cover some of the more popular life cycles, their commonalities and their differences.

An Overview of the Technical Processes11:27
In this lesson, you will be introduced to the critical topic: technical processes.
The Business & Mission Analysis Process13:52
In this lesson, you will learn about the first technical process - the Business and mission analysis process.
The Operational Concept5:59
In this lesson, you will learn about the operational concept - which is a document that describes how your product will perform its missions. This document is later used as a springboard to creating your functional domain and many requirements can be pulled from this document.
The Mission Need Statement10:46
In this lesson, you will learn about the apex of your product's requirements: The mission need statement.
The Business Requirements7:37
Capturing Stakeholder Needs & Requirements19:37
In this lesson, you will learn how to capture and document stakeholder requirements.
Operational Life Cycle Concepts12:09
In this lesson, we will add more fidelity and information to the concept of the operational life cycle.
Defining System Requirements17:56
In this lesson, you will learn about how to define the requirements that describe the product you will develop.
Capturing System Requirements26:14
In this lesson, you will learn more about how to define and capture requirements for your product.
The System Requirements Specification (SyRS)6:42
In this lesson, you will learn more about the document that contains your product's requirements: The System Requirements Specification (SyRS).
Requirements Overview18:54
In this lesson, you will learn more about the requirements domain.
The Types of Requirements8:08
In this lesson, you will learn about the different types of requirements you will be writing that will describe your product properly and accurately.
Requirements Derivation, Allocation and Flow Down19:40
In this lesson, you will learn about how to expand your requirements into a complete set by using derivation, allocation and flow down.
How to Write Requirement Statements47:23
In this lesson, you will gain one of the most important skills you can have as a systems engineer: how to actually WRITE your requirement statements so that you are able to accurately describe the product you want to build.
Finally, print and use the INCOSE requirements writing guide to supplement this lesson.
Architecture Definition24:43
In this lesson, you will learn how to define your product's architecture.
Architecture Overview13:46
In this lesson, you will learn what architectures are and how they are useful.
Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)22:45
In this video, you will be introduced to Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), which is in opposition to old-school paper-based systems engineering or product development.
The System Modeling Language and Unified Modeling Language (SysML & UML)26:44
In this lesson, you will learn two of the most commonly used system modeling languages: SysML and UML.
Behavioral Analysis18:52
In this lesson, you will start learning about the second domain - the behavioral domain - and how to use analysis to think about the functions your product needs to perform.
Use Cases26:14
In this lesson, you will learn about one of the most powerful tools you can use to define your behavioral domain: use cases.
Constructing the Behavioral Domain32:57
In this lesson, you will learn how to construct your behavioral domain.
Constructing the Physical Domain15:55
In this lesson, you will learn how to construct and validate the physical domain for your product.
Design Definition32:42
In this lesson, you will learn how to begin actually DESIGNING your product, using the artifacts that you have created up to this point.
Solicitations, Proposals and Development Contracts15:40
Once you have defined your system concept and captured it in your specifications, you will be hiring one or more developers to design, construct and test your product. In this lesson, you will learn about this process: solicitations, proposals and development contracts.
Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)9:11
In this lesson, you will learn about how to analyze and assess the maturity level of the segments within your product. Knowing this, you will be able to judge the risk level of your development effort AND you will know where to apply more effort when developing your system.
Design Definition & Implementation Principles24:25
In this lesson, you will learn more about defining your product's design and implementing (constructing) the segments within your system.
System Analysis11:46
In this lesson, you will learn about the general system analysis process, which is applied at all times throughout the life cycle of your product.
Implementation (Segment Construction)18:52
In this lesson, you will learn about the construction of the various segments within your system - also known as implementation.
Integration16:50
Once you have at least two segments constructed (implemented), you may want to connect them and see if they work together - something we call integration. In this lesson, you will learn about the integration process.
The Principles of System Integration15:01
In this lesson, we will expand upon the integration process and learn about the principles and best practices of integrating system elements.
The Verification Process16:18
In this lesson, you will learn about how you can test and evaluate the performance of your product against the requirements you wrote about earlier in the product's life - something we call verification.
The Principles of Verification13:46
In this lesson, you will learn more about the principles of verification testing.
Product Manufacturing and Production14:00
In this lesson, you will be introduced to the process of producing or manufacturing your product.
Low Rate and Full Rate Production5:47
In this lesson you will learn about low rate and full rate production.
Product Transition into the Marketplace9:10
In this lesson, you will be introduced to transitioning your product into the marketplace or field where it will be purchased and used by the users in the defined operational environment.
User Evaluation: Product Validation17:21
In this lesson, you will learn about how you can test and evaluate the performance of your product against users expectations in the operational environment, something we call validation.
The Principles of Validation15:56
In this lesson, you will learn more about the principles of product validation.
System Operations13:03
In this lesson, you will learn what you need to be doing as your products are being used by users in the operational environment.
System Maintenance16:03
In this lesson, you will learn what you need to be doing to help prepare for and provide support as your products are being maintained in the field.
Transition, Operation and Maintenance Principles11:47
In this lesson, you will learn more about product transition, operations and maintenance.
Product Retirement & Disposal11:22
In this closing lesson, you will learn what you need to do to prepare for and support the retirement and disposal of your product(s).

Project Planning19:44
In this lesson, you will learn about how to PLAN your product development effort, from a technical perspective (vs project management, cost, schedule, HR perspective, etc).
The Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP)5:06
In this lesson, you will learn about the document that captures how you will manage the technical portion of your product development project. This document is typically called the technical strategy, technical management plan or the systems engineering management plan (SEMP).
The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)7:25
In this lesson, you will learn how to form the foundation for you project: the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
Project Assessment13:11
In this lesson, you will learn how to measure how well your project is performing, by using the project assessment process.
Decision Management6:31
In this lesson, you will be getting an overview of how we make important decisions during a product development effort by employing the decision management process.
Decisions and Trade Studies23:42
In this lesson, we will elaborate in detail how to perform decision analysis, or trade studies.
Trade Study Walkthrough26:38
In this lesson, we will walk through, step by step, an actual trade study.
The Risk Management Process5:31
In this lesson, you will be introduced to the principles of risk management and how to apply them to your product development project.
Risk Management Principles31:11
In this lesson, we will dive deeper into how to identify, assess, capture and treat the risks that may cause harm to your product development effort.
Configuration Management14:54
In this lesson, you will learn about how to capture and manage changes as they occur throughout product development.
Information Management7:18
In this lesson, you will learn how to capture, disseminate and store information for your product development effort.
Measurement Management16:33
In this lesson, you will learn about how to come up with the measures you will need to know if you are on the right track or not.
Quality Assurance14:22
In this lesson, you will be introduced to the concept of quality assurance.

Agreement Process Overview7:44
In this lesson, we will introduce you to the general process used for buying and/or selling products or services.
The Acquisition (Buyer) Process15:16
In this lesson, you will learn about the process used to buy products and/or services from a company outside of your organization.
The Supply (Seller) Process14:03
In this lesson, you will learn about the process used to provide, or sell products and/or services to an outside organization.

Life Cycle Model Management17:50
In this lesson, you will learn about how your organization might use and tailor life cycle models across various projects.
Infrastructure Management8:23
Your product does not simply pop into existence on its own. Its development, production and support depend on using various resources - tools, people, skills, facilities, networks, training, etc. In this lesson, you will learn about managing the infrastructure required to enable the success of your product.
Portfolio Management8:18
In this lesson, you will learn how an organization can organize and manage multiple projects - or portfolio of projects.
Human Resource Management7:19
In this lesson, you will learn about managing the people required to enable the development of products within the organization.
Quality Management12:03
Knowledge Management11:29
In this lesson, you will learn how to capture, store, disseminate and archive the knowledge and experiences your team gains as they develop complex systems.

Tailoring the Processes9:21
In this lesson, you will be introduced to process tailoring in general.
Software and Systems Engineering53:32
In this lesson, you will learn about software development in a Systems Engineering framework.
Prototyping15:58
In this lesson, you will be introduced to the topic of prototyping, which plays a critical role throughout the entire life of your product.
Integrated Product Development (IPD)17:34
In this lesson, you will learn about Integrated Product Development (IPD) team structures and how to apply them in your organization.
Lean Systems Engineering18:59
In this lesson, you will be introduced to the concept of applying Lean Principles to your product development efforts.
Agile Systems Engineering16:15
In this lesson, you will be introduced to applying Agile Principles to your product development efforts. In addition, you also learn about a specific 'type' of highly adaptable, or agile, system.

Affordability18:00
In this video, you will learn about how to apply affordability principles to save your product development project time and money.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)5:45
If you product contains anything that is powered by electricity, or operates near other systems that emit power, then you should be concerned with Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). This lesson covers the principles of EMC.
Environmental Engineering3:48
Your organization must take your product's impact on the environment into consideration - from inception all the way through to the disposal of your product. This lesson covers the fundamental aspects to consider when developing, producing, operating, sustaining and disposing your product.
Reliability, Maintainability & Availability (RM&A)20:55
In this lesson, you will learn about measuring and managing your product's reliability, Maintainability and Availability (RM&A).
System Safety14:44
In this lesson, you will learn about assessing and making your product safe to use and maintain.
Models & Simulations (M&S)29:04
In this lesson, you will learn about a powerful tool that will save you a lot of time and money in defining, developing and supporting your product: Models & Simulations (M&S).
Human System Integration (HSI)16:08
Chances are, your product will interact with people. It will need to be engineered in such a way that the people who interact with it can do so seamlessly. In this lesson, you will learn about this field - called Human System Integration (HSI).
System Security11:53
In today's world, protecting your system from nefarious use or exploitation is of paramount concern. In this lesson, you will be introduced to the topic of system security.
Resilience Engineering16:18
In this lesson, you will learn about resiliency engineering - or a way to prevent your system from being attacked or a way to keep your system operational after it has experienced an attack, either physical or virtual.
Product Support Engineering19:09
In this lesson, you will learn about what it takes to develop your product in such a way that the effort required to support it after it has been fielded is minimized.
Value Engineering8:47
In this lesson, you will learn about the topic of value engineering - a way to identify and obtain value while developing your product.

Requirements

A background in engineering, math, product development or project management is helpful but not required.

Description

Product Development & Systems Engineering uses a structured yet flexible approach to provide a holistic, solid foundation to the successful development of complex products or systems.

This course will take you step by step through the product life cycle, from conception to design, development, production, deployment, sustainment and disposal. You will learn how the different components of a system interrelate, and how each contributes product accomplishing its missions. Systems engineering terminology, which can so often confuse the newcomer, is presented in an easily digestible form. Video lectures for individual topics will introduce key concepts. This course welcomes anyone who wants to find out how complex products or systems can be developed and implemented successfully. It is relevant to anyone in project management, engineering, quality assurance, product support, operations, management, maintenance and many other areas. No specific background is required, and we welcome learners with all levels of interest and experience.

The course aligns closely with ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2023 and 29148:2023 - the standards used by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). This course covers most of the material from the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook 5th edition - and more!

If you are interested in INCOSE Exam practice questions, head over to the main learnSE site for 1,200 questions and fillable IPO sheets. You won't find these on Udemy. Note: The practice exam question bank is a separate course from this one.

Who this course is for:

Product developers
Engineering and systems engineering professionals
Engineering students and instructors
Professionals seeking INCOSE certification

Product Development & Systems Engineering (INCOSE / 15288)

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introductory / Groundwork Topics12 lectures • 2hr 22min

Product Life Cycle9 lectures • 1hr 12min

Technical Processes41 lectures • 11hr 37min

Technical Management Processes13 lectures • 3hr 12min

The Agreement (Contracting) Processes3 lectures • 37min

Project Enabling Processes6 lectures • 1hr 5min

Tailoring Processes6 lectures • 2hr 12min

Specialty Engineering Principles11 lectures • 2hr 45min

INCOSE Knowledge Exam Preparation1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: