About the course
As systems grow in scale and interdependencies increase, the risk of failure—whether due to delays, budget overruns, or technical shortcomings—becomes significant. This course equips you with the essential skills to effectively manage these complexities, integrating Systems Engineering (SE) and Project Management (PM) best practices to ensure your projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet stakeholder expectations.
The course combines lectures with student project assignments focusing on the essential idea of treating systems engineering and project management in an integrated fashion. It follows a structured flow, beginning with defining the system, its mission and the project goals aligning them with business goals, ensuring effective stakeholder management. It then moves into requirements and architecture of the system solution, project planning and establishing clear traceability between business objectives and technical specifications. Risk management and technical reviews are addressed, ensuring both technical and project progress are on track. The focus then shifts to leadership, team building, and project monitoring, ensuring team alignment and effective performance. The course concludes with lifecycle cost management, change control, and project closure, ensuring all elements are successfully completed.
Preliminary overview of the course schedule:
Lecturers
Dr. Dinesh Verma, Ph.D., Stevens Institute of Technology, USA
Dinesh was the Founding Dean of the School of Systems and Enterprises and Professor in Systems Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology from 2007 through 2016. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC).
Dinesh combines a unique mix of theoretical knowledge having authored over 100 technical papers, book reviews, technical monographs, and co-authored three textbooks and experience from consulting with numerous of world leading companies internationally including several in Nordic countries. But what really sets Dinesh apart is his ability to teach in a very pedagogic way.
Tom Strandberg, CSEP, CAG Syntell AB, Sweden
Tom is a Principal Consultant, Trainer and the Systems Engineering Competence Area Manager at CAG Syntell AB. He has more than 25 years of practical experience of capability development related to life cycle management of complex systems utilizing a systems engineering approach. Tom has had the benefit to work in several different companies and authorities within defence, automotive, medtech and transport.
Tom is active in the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) since 1998 and has served several leading positions both in Sweden and internationally. He was active in the development of the ISO/IEEE/IEC 15288 Systems Engineering standard and is Certified Systems Engineering Professional (INCOSE CSEP).
Malin Calemark, CAG Syntell AB, Sweden
Malin Calemark is a senior consultant at CAG Syntell with many years of experience as a Project Manager and Systems Engineer in projects for the development of complex technical systems, from both the customer and supplier side.
Dr. Jeff Wilcox, formerly VP (Engineering) and VP (Digital Transformation), Lockheed Martin.
Jeff is a business strategist, engineering expert, and digital transformation leader with a talent for envisioning and implementing forward-thinking solutions that drive enterprise value. He has deep experience in leading engineering and manufacturing organizations, using systems thinking to address customers’ most complex challenges with innovative solutions. As an accomplished board leader and public speaker, Jeff excels at uniting stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. He also advises senior leaders and board members, simplifying technology and helping them identify key opportunities to set and achieve strategic business goals.
Course Goal
The learning objectives of the course are to provide participants with a deep understanding of how to successfully manage the technical and managerial complexities of large-scale projects. You will learn how to define and align system and business goals, capture and manage stakeholder requirements, architecting a solution and effectively plan, schedule, and control project activities using best practices from Systems Engineering (SE) and Project Management (PM). The course will also provide you the insights to the essential aspects of leadership and soft skills you need to manage complex systems projects.
Target group
This course is aimed at anyone involved in complex industrial projects working with project management, systems engineering, or engineering management such as Systems Engineers and Architects, Project and Program Managers, Product Managers, Technical Leads and Engineering Manager:. It’s a good opportunity to establish a shared view for customers and contractors, project teams, and subcontractors, as well as for different departments within the organization.
Primary industries targeted include Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Transportation and Railways, Healthcare and Medical Devices, Construction and Civil Engineering, and Energy and Utilities.
Previous knowledge
No formal knowledge in Systems Engineering is needed. However, a few years practical experience in the field of complex technical systems is recommended to have gained an insight to the need for thinking and acting in terms of systems. Course language is English but at least one lecturer is fluent in Swedish.
The course is in line with the concepts from the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, ISO 15288 and PMI Body of Knowledge, but will expand beyond these sources.
Personal Development Units
This course allows you to apply for 30 PDU:s according to INCOSE:s Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) Certification program.
About Scandinavian Winter School Week & Tällberg!
Welcome to a unique learning experience in the heart of Dalarna—the Scandinavian Winter School Week on Managing Complex Systems Projects!
From 18–23 January 2026, you have the opportunity to participate in an intensive and inspiring learning experience that will elevate your competence in complex technical projects to the next level. With leading experts from both academia and industry, you’ll learn the best methods to successfully plan, lead, and execute complex technical projects. Surrounded by the beautiful winter landscape of Tällberg, you’ll combine top-class education with outdoor activities and networking with colleagues from various industries. This is your chance to develop your expertise and network in a fantastic environment!
The week will be held at Dalecarlia Hotel & Spa—see more information here!
Manager Discount
We provide an opportunity for managers to develop closer relationships to personnel and the ability to develop your business. If you enroll four people to our winter school programme, one additional participant can attend by only paying for room and board (no course fee). In addition to attending the course you are invited into a special programme of feedback and dialogue with CAG Syntell that will help you develop a sustainable organizational capability in Systems Engineering, Systems Architecting and ILS.
Registration
You can register on this page by using the form below, or send an email to syntell.training@cag.se.
