Process Improvement

Process Improvement (TECH-610)

Description

This digitally delivered RPI ProCourse is designed to equip you with the tools and confidence to solve complex problems and lead meaningful, sustainable process improvements within your organization. You will begin by selecting a real workplace process to analyze.  From there, you’ll conduct a detailed walkthrough, identify root causes, and map both the current and desired future state. Using the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and the A3 problem-solving methodology, you will develop a strategic, results-oriented action plan to improve your selected process.. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your ability to collaborate across teams and effectively engage stakeholders in driving change. By the end of the course, you will walk away with a thorough process analysis and an actionable improvement plan. Participants who complete the course will be awarded continuing education units (CEUs), a verified digital badge, and a Certificate of Completion from RPI. 

Coursework

Throughout this six-week course, you will design a comprehensive, ready-to-implement process improvement plan tailored to your organization. Each week builds on the last to guide you from problem identification to actionable solutions:

• Week 1: Identifying the Problem – Select a real process from your workplace, define the problem, connect it to business objectives, and craft a clear, actionable problem statement.
• Week 2: Understanding the Process – Conduct a hands-on process walkthrough to uncover inefficiencies, pain points, and workflow challenges. Document your findings in a SIPOC diagram to clarify where improvements are needed.
• Week 3: Defining the Current and Future State – Build a current state process map to identify delays, gaps, and inefficiencies, then envision a streamlined future state that supports strategic goals.
• Week 4: Determining Root Causes – Move beyond symptoms by identifying and validating the root causes of process challenges using tools like the 5 Why’s, Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams, and issue tree analysis.
• Week 5: Developing Possible Solutions – Brainstorm and prioritize practical solutions that directly address root causes, evaluating each for feasibility, and alignment with your organizational priorities
• Week 6: Building Your Plan – Finalize your detailed, strategic action plan using the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)  cycle to support execution and continuous improvement. 

Technology & Logistics

You will complete all coursework through Rensselaer’s digital classroom environment, with feedback provided by your course mentor along the way. The coursework will primarily be self-paced, with a synchronous kickoff Zoom session during the first week of the course that will provide an opportunity to engage with the content and course mentor(s) in a live setting.

Audience

This course is ideal for professionals involved in organizational processes who are seeking a structured, hands-on approach to diagnosing root causes and implementing scalable solutions. While no prior experience is required, the course is especially beneficial for process owners or decision-makers responsible for driving change within their teams or departments. Learners ideally would come into the course with consideration for the following questions:

• What specific process or problem are we addressing?
• Who should be involved in solving the problem, and who will be impacted?
• Who are the primary customers of this process and what are their requirements?
• How does this problem impact business or strategic goals? Why is it a priority?

Payment

Payment is accepted via credit card only. Refunds (minus processing fees) may be issued up to the course’s official start date. After the course has begun, refunds are no longer available. 

If you have any questions about the course prior to enrolling, please contact procourses@rpi.edu. 

Outcomes

Course completion enables you to:

• Apply problem-solving techniques and the PDCA framework cycles to identify a process to improve within an organization.
• Analyze the current state of a process with clarity and precision to uncover root causes and performance gaps.
• Construct problem statements and SMART goals that directly align with stakeholder needs and organizational outcomes.
• Facilitate cross-functional conversations that surface hidden issues, foster collaboration, and build stakeholder buy-in for change.
• Create a practical, data-driven process improvement action plan that addresses systemic issues and supports scalable enhancements.