Advanced Technologies Certificate Program

Program Experience

Week 1: Strategic Innovation Core  - Embark on a journey through the strategic realm, where business trends meet technology forecasts. Caltech's first week primes you with the essentials: future thinking for business models, organizational change, and leveraging rapid technological growth. Prepare to delve into advanced concepts with hands-on learning, case discussions, and expert-led lectures on AI, IoT, quantum computing, and biotechnology.

Week 2: Specialize with Precision  - Choose your path to mastery in the second week from three bespoke specializations, each rooted in the original executive programs. Whether you're drawn to mastering robust system architectures and product development strategies in systems engineering, or eager to orchestrate global supply chains and lead operations in technology organizations, your deep dive will be rich with practical experiences—from lab visits to lectures on autonomy and agility.

This executive program can be taken as a stand-alone certificate or as part of the Advanced Technologies & Global Leadership MBA, offered in conjunction with the Technical University of Vienna. Upon completing the two-week certificate at Caltech, you can join the MBA program with a broadened perspective and renewed vigor, ready to concentrate on your specialization thesis and delve deeper into the core program, all aimed at propelling you toward the forefront of global technology leadership.

Benefits

Gain the critical skills and strategic vision necessary for leadership in the evolving landscape of technology management. You will learn to:

Gain a multifaceted understanding of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, IoT, robotics, and biotechnology, and their transformative impact on business strategy and operations.
Cultivate future-focused strategic thinking to forecast technological trends and their long-term business implications, informing effective decision-making.
Develop an innovation-driven mindset to architect competitive business models, lead R&D efforts, and drive enterprise-level change through systems thinking.
Acquire advanced leadership skills and emotional intelligence to effectively manage and inspire teams in high-tech and supply chain environments.
Master system engineering principles to design robust architectures, manage product life cycles, and ensure agile, cost-effective program delivery.
Enhance strategic operations management abilities, focusing on global supply chain orchestration, optimization, and technological integration.
Learn to navigate intellectual property landscapes, fostering innovation through strategic technology transfer and commercialization.
Build competencies in organizational design and change management to align with the evolving future of work and technological advancements.
Leverage data-driven insights and AI-enabled tools for strategic improvements in supply chain efficiency, security, and decision-making.
Foster cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement cultures within organizations to maintain a competitive edge and drive innovation.
Experience the unique value of immersive, cross-cultural engagement by learning alongside a diverse cohort of global peers, enhancing your ability to operate in international business environments and expanding your professional network.
Tailor your educational journey with specialized tracks that align with your personal career goals, ensuring that you emerge from the program with a bespoke skill set targeted to your individual growth and the strategic needs of your organization.

Topics

In the specialization, the following topics will be covered:

Strategic Innovation Core (all specializations)

1. Understanding Strategic Innovation: Definitions, Importance, and Impact on Organizational Success

2. Market Analysis and Opportunity Identification: Trends, Disruptions, and Emerging Technologies

3. Design Thinking and Ideation: Techniques for Generating and Evaluating Innovative Ideas

4. Innovation Frameworks: Lean Startup, Design Sprint, Agile Development, and Beyond

5. Resource Allocation and Risk Management: Strategies for Funding and Scaling Innovation Projects

6. Leadership for Innovation: Cultivating a Culture of Creativity, Collaboration, and Experimentation

7. Prototyping and Rapid Experimentation: Methods for Testing and Validating Ideas

8. Technology and Digital Transformation: Leveraging Tech Trends for Strategic Innovation and Competitive Advantage

Systems Engineering 

1. Systems Thinking Principles and Applications 

2. Roles and Responsibilities in Systems Engineering 

3. Lifecycle Models: The Vee and Diamond 

4. Stakeholder Needs and Requirements Analysis 

5. Functional Analysis and Specification Development 

6. Architecting Systems: Design and Integration Techniques 

7. Decision Analysis in Engineering Systems 

8. Verification and Validation Best Practices 

9. Applying Agile Frameworks in Systems Development 

10. Risk and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Methods

Deep Tech: 

1. Navigating Advanced Technologies: AI, IoT, Robotics, Biotechnology, and Quantum Computing 

2. Strategic Foresight and Scenario Planning in Tech Advances 

3. Innovation Leadership: Building and Executing an Agenda for Competitive Advantage 

4. Systems Dynamics and Competitive Business Modeling 

5. Driving Innovation and Managing R&D Teams

6. Organizational Transformation and Design for the Future of Work 

7. Intellectual Property Strategy and Technology Commercialization 

8. Platform Strategies and Multi-Sided Markets for Value Creation 

9. Leadership in Technological and Organizational Change Management 

10. New Ventures and Collaborative Innovation Networks

Global Supply Chain Management: 

1. Leadership in Technology-Driven Supply Chain Environments 

2. Adaptive Strategies for Evolving Supply Chain Landscapes 

3. Managerial Processes for Supply Chain Optimization

4. Cutting-Edge Technologies in Advanced and Precision Manufacturing

5. Material Innovations and Supply Chain Impacts 

6. AI and Data Analytics for Supply Chain Decision-Making

7. Strategic Process Improvements in Supply Chain Efficiency 

8. Global Supply Chain Orchestration and Network Design 

9. Cross-Functional Collaboration for Supply Chain Innovation

10. Emotional Intelligence and Team Leadership for Continuous Improvement

Who Should Attend

This special two-week program, live on campus in Pasadena, California, can be taken as an independent comprehensive certificate program, or as the specialization track for the Technology Management & Global Leadership Executive MBA program from TU Wien.

This program is ideal for:
1. C-suite executives, directors, and senior managers seeking to drive innovation and harness advanced technologies in their organizations
2. Technology and innovation professionals looking to expand their knowledge and stay current with cutting-edge developments
3. Entrepreneurs and startup founders aiming to leverage emerging technologies for business growth and competitive advantage
4. Product managers, R&D specialists, and engineers working on technology-driven projects or products
5. Industry consultants and advisors who want to better guide their clients in navigating the rapidly evolving technological landscape

Join our program and equip yourself with the skills and insights needed to thrive in today's dynamic world of technology and innovation.

Schedule

This two-week intensive public program is held over October 21–November 1, 2024. Attendance over both weeks is required.

We're excited to announce that this course will be open for applications in July 2024. Please check back then to apply and embark on your educational journey with Caltech CTME and the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien).