INCOSE SEP Exam Preparation Course
Over the course of 5 days, led by an experienced and qualified facilitator, you will be taken on a virtually-delivered and immersive journey into the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook (V4). This course will prepare you to take the INCOSE Knowledge Exam comfortably and covers all the information you need to know about applying for INCOSE’s Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) or Certificated Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) certification.
- 5 Days
- Live-Online Delivery
- Retake the course free of charge if you don't pass your first exam!
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- Overview
- Full Schedule
- Course Outline
- Learning Objectives
- How it Works
- Timings
- FAQ
This virtually-delivered INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) Exam Preparation Course combines a mixture of presentations, group discussions, workshops and practice examinations to ensure a high degree of learning on your journey to Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) certification. The course is facilitated by a world-class, qualified, expert leader in systems engineering who is highly experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of the SEP certification process. Throughout the course, there is a strong focus on interaction, the social aspects of learning, and integration with the learner’s existing knowledge. Utilizing leading-edge adult learning principles and techniques enables the participants to absorb and recall the necessary information in the fastest possible way. The role and benefits of systems engineering within the participant’s organization will be clearly explained using the internationally recognized terminology contained within the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook. Upon completing this course, participants will have the ability to use the Handbook as a reference and guide, not only in preparing for the INCOSE Knowledge Exam but also for future systems engineering developments.
Live expert instruction: The class is intended for online delivery. Everyone in your class, including your facilitator, is connected via a live web conference facility.
Courseware: Once you have paid for the course, you will receive a link to download the course materials in an electronic format. Any other materials intended for distribution will be sent to you throughout the course. It is highly recommended that you have a hard copy of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook available during the course. We will advise on how to purchase a copy. If you have any difficulties obtaining a copy, please let us know as soon as possible, and we will do our best to assist you.
Desktop sharing: The web conference facility provides learners with an up-close view of the facilitator-controlled window. Here, you will view the course content, receive workshop instructions, and share and discuss workshop results with the facilitator. You will be able to discuss notes and diagrams drawn in real-time by the facilitator while in dialogue with learners.
Visibility of participants: We encourage all learners to make use of the webcam on their device. This ensures learners and facilitators will be able to see each other, and everyone will have visibility of the speaker. If the internet connection is poor, the video feature may be disabled.
Discussions: Learners can “raise their hand” virtually to get the facilitator’s attention or may contact the facilitator privately via the chat facility (we ask that you allow some time for the facilitator to respond).
Breakout Rooms: Learners will conduct some workshops in teams where they may share and discuss ideas via video, voice or text chat. Breakout Rooms enable access to a virtual whiteboard so teams can work on a shared ‘page’ during activities. The facilitator will drop into breakout rooms to assess the teams’ progress during workshops and to answer any questions from the team.
- This course qualifies for Engineers Australia and Engineering New Zealand (IPENZ) CPD purposes (40 hours)
- This course is accredited by ECSA South Africa for CPD 5 points (ref. INCOSE 23/001)
- PDUs may be claimed for this course for PMI’s family of certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP)
Upcoming Courses
Register and pay 30 days prior to the course commencement date to receive a 10% early bird discount. Or register a group of 3+ for a 10% group discount. Available for corporate training worldwide.
*The workshop is a truncated version of the 5-day INCOSE SEP Exam Course and is available exclusively in India.
Upcoming Courses
Register and pay 30 days prior to the course commencement date to receive a 10% early bird discount.
Are you a full-time student? Enter the coupon code STUDENT_DISCOUNT at checkout to receive a 20% discount. Note that proof of full-time student status is required.
See the Timings tab on the INCOSE SEP Exam Prep Course page for details.
*The workshop is a truncated version of the 5-day INCOSE SEP Exam Course and is available exclusively in India.
Our chapters:
1. Systems Engineering Handbook Scope
1.1 Purpose
1.2 Application
1.3 Contents
1.4 Format
1.5 Definitions of Frequently Used Terms
2. Systems Engineering Overview
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Definitions and Concepts of a System
2.3 The Hierarchy within a System
2.4 Definition of Systems of Systems
2.5 Enabling Systems
2.6 Definition of Systems Engineering
2.7 Origins and Evolution of Systems Engineering
2.8 Use and Value of Systems Engineering
2.9 Systems Science and Systems Thinking
2.10 Systems Engineering Leadership
2.11 Systems Engineering Professional Development
3. Generic Life Cycle Stages
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Life Cycle Characteristics
3.3 Life Cycle Stages
3.4 Life Cycle Approaches
3.5 What Is Best for Your Organization, Project, or Team?
3.6 Introduction to Case Studies
4. Technical Processes
4.1 Business or Mission Analysis Process
4.2 Stakeholder Needs and Requirements Definition Process
4.3 System Requirements Definition Process
4.4 Architecture Definition Process
4.5 Design Definition Process
4.6 System Analysis Process
4.7 Implementation Process
4.8 Integration Process
4.9 Verification Process
4.10 Transition Process
4.11 Validation Process
4.12 Operation Process
4.13 Maintenance Process
4.14 Disposal Process
5. Technical Management Processes
5.1 Project Planning Process
5.2 Project Assessment and Control Process
5.3 Decision Management Process
5.4 Risk Management Process
5.5 Configuration Management Process
5.6 Information Management Process
5.7 Measurement Process
5.8 Quality Assurance Process
6. Agreement Processes
6.1 Acquisition Process
6.2 Supply Process
7. Organizational Project‐Enabling Processes
7.1 Life Cycle Model Management Process
7.2 Infrastructure Management Process
7.3 Portfolio Management Process
7.4 Human Resource Management Process
7.5 Quality Management Process
7.6 Knowledge Management Process
8. Tailoring process and Application of Systems Engineering
8.1 Tailoring Process
8.2 Tailoring for Specific Product Sector or Domain Application
8.3 Application of Systems Engineering for Product Line Management
8.4 Application of Systems Engineering for Services
8.5 Application of Systems Engineering for Enterprises
8.6 Application of Systems Engineering for Very Small and Micro Enterprises
9. Cross‐Cutting Systems Engineering Methods
9.1 Modeling and Simulation
9.2 Model‐Based Systems Engineering
9.3 Functions‐Based Systems Engineering Method
9.4 Object‐Oriented Systems Engineering Method
9.5 Prototyping
9.6 Interface Management
9.7 Integrated Product and Process Development
9.8 Lean Systems Engineering
9.9 Agile Systems Engineering
10. Specialty Engineering Activities
10.1 Affordability/Cost‐Effectiveness/Life Cycle Cost Analysis
10.2 Electromagnetic Compatibility
10.3 Environmental Engineering/Impact Analysis
10.4 Interoperability Analysis
10.5 Logistics Engineering
10.6 Manufacturing and Producibility Analysis
10.7 Mass Properties Engineering
10.8 Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability
10.9 Resilience Engineering
10.10 System Safety Engineering
10.11 System Security Engineering
10.12 Training Needs Analysis
10.13 Usability Analysis/Human Systems Integration
10.14 Value Engineering Appendix
- Daily quiz questions
- Sharing of Personal Project Experience
- What is a System?
- Definition of Systems of Systems
- Enabling Systems
- Definition of Systems Engineering
- Use and Value of Systems Engineering
- Generic Life Cycle
- Applying the Handbook to Case Studies
- Linking IPO Diagrams to Each Other
- Verification vs Validation
- Concept of Operations vs Operational Concept
- Technical Processes
- Technical Management Processes
- Comparison of Project and Organizational Processes
- Measurement Process
- Pulling It All Together – System Perspective
- Agreement Processes
- Organizational Project-Enabling Processes
- Knowledge Management Process
- Tailoring Process
- Cross-Cutting SE Methods
- Comprehension Style Questions on Cross-Cutting Methods
- Speciality Engineering Activities Part One
- Speciality Engineering Activities Part Two
*The INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook (SEH) is the sole source upon which INCOSE Knowledge Exam is based.
At the end of the course, the participant will confidently be able to:
- evaluate the Handbook and training materials in such a way as to successfully prepare for and pass the examination
- analyze the key principles, processes, activities, and relationships of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 generic life cycle
- apply the terminology in the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook correctly
- relate the INCOSE material, approach and methodology to their existing Systems Engineering knowledge
- explain the elements of the system life cycle and how they play out across a project
- explain the different technical processes that support the system life cycle
- explain the different technical management processes and the role they play in planning, assessing and controlling a system development
- explain tools and techniques to enhance decision making throughout the system life cycle
- explain the agreement processes and how they influence the system life cycle
- explain the relationship between organizational level and project level processes
- explain the tailoring process at organizational and project levels
- recognize the application of systems engineering in different domains
- demonstrate the application of cross-cutting systems engineering methods
- demonstrate the application of speciality engineering activities and how they support the system life cycle
- explain the role of systems engineering on the basis of a project or intervention within their organization
- interpret the knowledge gained via reference to examples/cases from their own industry or organization
- evaluate current and future systems engineering activities using the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook 4th Edition as a reference and guide
- apply case studies to show how processes may be relevant in the real world.
With CTI Live-Online delivery, you will gain access to our premium INCOSE Knowledge Exam Preparation course content and presentation from the comfort of your own home or office. This is achieved by maintaining a combination of high-quality course materials, expert instruction, and significant interaction among all participants to make the learning process effective and enjoyable!
1. Register
Complete our quick-and-easy registration process for the course of your choice. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email with details to help you prepare for the course. You will also receive instructions on how to connect electronically to the course.
2. Setup
Before your course begins, you will be given a download link where you may access and retrieve your class files. Please print any required documents and install and configure the web conferencing software on your device/s.
3. Preparation
Prior to the course, you will receive course materials with an outline for pre-reading. This is also the time to ensure that you have a copy of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook V4 - a hard copy is strongly encouraged!
If you run into any trouble, we’re here to help!
4. Join your course
On each day of the course, you are invited to connect to the virtual conference room 15 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. Here, you will be greeted by your facilitator and the other learners. At the scheduled time, the course commences!
Each day of delivery is split into three sets of 2 or 2.5-hour segments. A ‘stretch of the legs break’ is offered every hour or so.
Q: Does the course use pre-recorded training videos?
Each course provides live training delivered by our expert facilitators in real-time. With CTI Live-Online delivered training, you will be in the classroom virtually. You will see and hear the facilitator, view course graphics, take notes, interact with the facilitator, ask questions, hear other learners’ questions, interact with other learners and take part in the many workshops typically in a group of three or four.
The value of our training comes from the interaction between the participants and the presenter. Participants are motivated to participate in real-time during the training week therefore, sessions are not recorded unless in exceptional cases. This is unlike any on-demand course since this course involves a high degree of interaction between the facilitator and class participants.
Q: Do I need to download software to participate?
Yes, you will need to download web conferencing software on your chosen device/s. The software is free to download and use.
Q: Is the platform secure?
The web conferencing software has a number of features to ensure that classrooms are secure. CTI is following best practices to ensure the security of our virtual classrooms, including enabling the waiting room feature and requiring a password so that only permitted guests can join the classroom.
Q: Do I need anything other than the web conferencing software installed and an internet connection?
We recommend that you maintain a cell phone, landline, Skype, or WhatsApp link at hand, capable of accepting domestic and international calls. We will request your contact number during the registration process.
You should also have some means of taking notes and drawing diagrams. For efficiency of time, an A4 or Letter size notepad will probably be best. If you have access to a tablet or phone that allows you to do free-hand sketching, that could be a bonus.
Q: Where is the course facilitator located?
The facilitator delivers the training course live from one of our studios worldwide.
Q: How will I participate and receive assistance?
By using a microphone/headset or computer audio, you can listen to and speak with your facilitator while normally being able to see each other and other learners, so getting involved is really easy. Simply ask a question using your microphone, or alternatively raise questions and comments with your facilitator via chat or email.
Featured Course Reviews

An excellent course with a great mix of presentation and interaction. The presenter never had us doing the same thing long enough for us to lose focus or interest.
BAE Systems, James Morton, United Kingdom

Thank you for offering such a comprehensive course. I found the material really useful and definitely feel that I am in a better position to take the test after attending the course.
Booz Allen Hamilton, Participant, United States of America

CTI’s ISEP exam preparation course has led to over 30 of our engineers becoming INCOSE ASEPs, leading to CSEPs and also ESEP
BAE Systems, Participant, United Kingdom

The broad overview and the insight on the PM side was good. I also enjoyed the team management module together with the acknowledgement of the realism required in project planning.
Carl Zeiss Optronics Pty Ltd, Participant, South Africa

Good balance of presentation and workbook/workshop activities. I liked the training style a lot.
CTI Live-Online, Participant, Australia

I have learned the concepts and a lot of processes and methodologies. They will be very useful for me to do a good job.
AVIC, Participant, China