Postgraduate Certificate in Manufacturing & Light Industry Innovation & Entrepreneurship

The Postgraduate Certificate in Manufacturing & Light Industry Innovation & Entrepreneurship is designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals with the systems thinking mindset, innovation capability, and practical business tools to identify and resolve core constraints in manufacturing and light industry settings. Participants will apply the the Decalogue Management Methodology and Theory of Constraints (TOC) Thinking Processes to design validated, profitable solutions that address real-world industrial challenges.

Course Outlook

The Postgraduate Certificate in Manufacturing & Light Industry Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program is an exciting new course where you do not just learn about entrepreneurship from others, but you practice entrepreneurship yourself during the academic year.

This 12-month program blends systems thinking, innovation strategy, and entrepreneurial execution tailored to the manufacturing & light industry. Graduates will be able to:

  • Launch or pivot businesses in the manufacturing/light industry sector
  • Apply systems thinking to solve operational and strategic constraints
  • Communicate innovations clearly with clients, investors, and partners
  • Create high-leverage, validated business opportunities using DMM tools
  • Lead continuous improvement and innovation from within or outside the organization

The final project, Profitable Innovation Project (PIP), offers participants the opportunity to develop a real-world manufacturing & light industry innovation that is validated with users and demonstrates financial viability or investment traction.

STARTS ON

June 6th, 2025

DURATION

12 Months, Hybrid,
7-9 Hours Per Week

PROGRAM FEE

US$8,000

1st installment amount to be received within 2 days from the day application is accepted

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Campus Immersion & Networking Opportunities

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree (engineering, business, operations, or related field) OR
  • 3+ years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, logistics, operations, or product development
  • Demonstrated interest in innovation, entrepreneurship, or process improvement
  • English proficiency (for global learners)

Who Should Attend?

This program is ideal for:

  • Manufacturing professionals looking to solve systemic production issues
  • Entrepreneurs aiming to launch validated industrial innovations
  • Engineers and operations managers seeking practical tools for continuous improvement
  • Innovation leads or intrapreneurs within industrial companies
  • Consultants looking to integrate DMM into their strategic offering

Course Schedule

Module One: Breakthrough Thinking for Continuous Innovation in Construction & Infrastructure Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Topics Covered:

  • Introduction to Systems Thinking & Theory of Constraints (TOC)
  • Conflict Cloud Thinking Process
  • Mental Models and Limiting Assumptions
  • Identifying and addressing innovation blockages

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand why we get “stuck” as individuals or organizations
  • Learn the Conflict Cloud to expose and overcome mental models that limit growth
  • Develop win-win systemic solutions (Injections) for innovation
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Module Two: Crafting Complete, Thought-through Solutions for a Desirable Future in Construction & Infrastructure Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Once we have identified a solution, we need a way to check that our solution will lead to desired outcomes and that it is complete. We also need to be able to identify and avoid potential unintended consequences that can interfere with the success of implementing our solution. 

Topics Covered:

  • Future Reality Tree (FRT)
  • Negative Branch Reservation (NBR)
  • Designing complete solutions
  • Validating solutions to prevent unintended consequences

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Use the Future Reality Tree (FRT) to visualize desired outcomes
  • Identify and trim Negative Branches to prevent unintended consequences
  • Ensure the innovation is robust and complete before implementation
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Module Three: Systemic Strategy and Implementation in Construction & Infrastructure Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Topics Covered:

  • Core Conflict Cloud
  • Future Reality Tree for Complex Systems
  • Prerequisite and Transition Trees for implementation
  • Interconnecting solutions for systematic results

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Build a Core Conflict Cloud to identify the foundational issue in complex systems
  • Create a full strategy map using FRT, Prerequisite Tree, and Transition Tree
  • Develop and sequence the implementation path for maximum reliability
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Module Four: External Constraint in Construction & Infrastructure Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Topics Covered:

  • Analyzing Undesirable Effects (UDEs) from the customer’s perspective
  • Crafting Unrefusable
  • Offers Integrating marketing and sales with operations
  • Designing customer-centric value propositions

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand customer constraints using TOC-based interviews
  • Design an “unrefusable offer” that integrates operations with marketing
  • Elevate client engagement to a value-partnership conversation
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Module Five: Project Phase

  1. Use the 10 steps of the Decalogue Management Methodology to launch or grow an existing business 
  2. Launch-ready strategy for project implementation

Topics Covered:

  • Identifying a meaningful industry constraint
  • Designing an innovation solution
  • Validating the solution with real users
  • Proving the innovation’s financial viability and investment potential

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Deliver a real, validated manufacturing innovation
  • Engage real users and prove business impact (profit or investment traction)
  • Use TOC tools to structure problem-solving and strategy

Support Provided:

  • Assigned mentor from CIRMI team
  • Weekly design sprints and reviews
  • Business model validation with stakeholders
  • Access to industry partners and advisors
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12-Month Calendar with 4-Month Business Growth Project

STRUCTURE:
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Learning Mode: Hybrid (In-person & Online)
  • Capstone Project: 60% of final grade

The program is divided into 4 learning modules (8 months), followed by a 4-month applied entrepreneurial project to create and launch an industry-relevant solution.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Learning Materials

  • Reading materials (articles, books, and case studies)
  • Decalogue Methodology and TOC toolkits
  • Access to an online learning platform with videos, templates, and resources
  • Recommended industry reports and publications

Teaching Methods

  • Lectures & Workshops: Expert-led sessions and hands-on workshops
  • Case Studies & Group Discussions: Real-world industry challenges and collaborative problem-solving
  • Guest Speakers & Industry Panels: Insights from successful entrepreneurs, investors, and manufacturing leaders
  • Interactive Learning: Tools, templates, and frameworks for developing innovative solutions

Assessment Breakdown

  • Capstone Project (60%): A real-world applied project where students develop a viable, scalable innovation in the Manufacturing & Light Industry sector. This project must be validated by real users, demonstrate financial viability, and be presented to industry experts for feedback.
  • Module Assessments (40%): Each of the four modules includes practical assignments, case studies, and individual/group projects focused on the tools and methodologies learned in each module. These assignments contribute 10% each towards the final grade

Program Highlights

  • Theory of Constraints (TOC) Training: Structured modules focusing on identifying and overcoming business bottlenecks.

  • Practical Application: Implementation of learned concepts in a real-world business project.

  • Expert Guidance: Access to experienced mentors and industry experts.

  • Networking Opportunities: Engagement with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs

Fees, finance and scholarships

Fees, finance and scholarships

  • Home: $8,000

Funding your studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Additional course costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Scholarships

We award limited scholarships to local and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship.

Certification

Upon successful completion of all modules and final project, participants receive:

Postgraduate Certificate in Manufacturing & Light Industry Innovation & Entrepreneurship with specialization in the Decalogue Management Methodology and TOC Thinking Processes

  • Identify industry constraints
  • Develop scalable solutions
  • Launch market-ready entrepreneurial ventures

The final project, Profitable Innovation Project (PIP), offers participants the opportunity to develop a real-world construction or infrastructure innovation that is validated with users and demonstrates financial viability or investment traction.

Early registrations are encouraged.

Flexible payment options available. View payment plans

Starts On 6th June, 2025

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Support for your studies

At CGSE, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions.

We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment. 

Research

The programme is underpinned by the research expertise of world-leading academics in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation, digitally enabled business models, circular economy, and sustainability.

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