We are surrounded by systems. The products, processes, and projects that we work on are increasingly complex and interrelated systems. Organizations are calling on you, their technical professionals, to drive and optimize complex projects under high-pressure conditions.
Through this online course, MIT faculty will teach you how to think of things as systems -- the process of understanding how entities influence one another within a whole. You’ll be able to then communicate that gaining insight and apply new methods, techniques, and vocabulary to your projects and processes. System thinking (or “systems thinking”) helps organizations examine complexity and simplify it; recognize patterns, and create effective solutions to challenges. Understanding and approaching problems from a systems perspective in technical environments is an essential skill for your career.
Ford Professor of Engineering, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT
Professor of Management, MIT Sloan School of Management
Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Director CSAIL, MIT
Associate Dean of Engineering and the William E. Leonhard (1940) Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT
We combine innovative pedagogy with MIT faculty from the School of Engineering and Sloan School of Management.
Practice system thinking through activities, reflection, and simulations to apply the concepts to your personal and professional systems.
Connect with an international community of professionals while working on projects based on real-world examples.
Access all of the content online and watch videos on your schedule.
Bring your new skills to your organization, through examples from technical work environments and ample prompts for reflection.
Earn a Professional Certificate and 2.25 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from MIT.
Gain insights from leading MIT faculty and industry experts.
Technical professionals looking to advance their essential skills to improve the performance of their projects and processes.
Individual contributors who want to perform at their highest potential.
Managers intent on architecting successful, collaborative, and happy teams.
This course is especially relevant to project managers, product managers, and anyone working with complex, interrelated systems.
“The course material is organized very well and intuitively. I can now visualize Systems in a different dimension and see different components and their importance. This learning will be positively contributing to the success of my next project as well as expanding my career prospects.”
“I liked the self-reflection exercises as it helped me understand the concept and apply it on a system that I had chosen (...) I will definitely be applying these concepts in my organization to holistically design and deliver a system or any processes going forward and completely recommend this course to anyone wanting to enhance the way they look at analyzing the systems regardless of their complexity.”
“The MIT Systems Thinking course provided me with valuable insights, new language and concepts to apply to my job, and different ways of approaching engineering problems and managing projects.”
Many companies offer professional development benefits to their employees but sometimes starting the conversation is the hardest part of the process.
Use these talking points, stats, and email template to advocate for your professional development through MIT xPRO's System Thinking online professional certificate course.
