Diploma in VSM, Kaizen and Productivity Improvement
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in VSM, Kaizen and productivity improvement. 8 modules covering value stream mapping, waste analysis, Kaizen and continuous improvement, Lean production tools, productivity measurement, applied Six Sigma and improvement culture, with ISO 18404, ISO 13053-1 and UNE-EN ISO 9001, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in VSM, Kaizen and Productivity Improvement — studying from Australia
Australia's infrastructure pipeline is substantial, covering roads, rail, ports, water and urban development across major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Rail engineering is especially active, with projects including Sydney Metro and Melbourne Metro. Smart city initiatives draw on sensors, data platforms and digital twins to improve transport, utilities and public services. Employers include state transport authorities, engineering consultancies such as Aurecon and WSP, and major contractors. Engineers work on design, asset management, construction oversight and sustainability.
Fees for Australia: A$1,740 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does a SEIUM qualification meet Australian civil engineering registration requirements?
No. Civil engineers in Australia typically need an Engineers Australia accredited degree to pursue Chartered status, and state and territory rail and infrastructure regulators set their own requirements. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so employers or regulators decide how much weight they carry.
Which Australian employers hire in civil, rail and smart cities?
Australia has public infrastructure agencies, rail operators, engineering consultancies and councils working on urban and smart city projects. Employers usually prioritise accredited qualifications, licensing and project experience. Ask potential employers whether a private online qualification would be considered alongside your experience.
Is the course workable alongside work, and what does it cost?
The courses are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from anywhere in Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, so plan your time accordingly. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship may be possible, and you will have an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Draw up current and future state value stream maps.
Identify and quantify waste in construction processes.
Organise Kaizen events with measurable results.
Apply Lean tools such as 5S, kanban and standardised work.
Measure and analyse labour and equipment productivity.
Use the DMAIC methodology to solve problems.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement in the organisation.
Who it's for
- Continuous improvement managers.
- Lean consultants.
- Production managers in construction and prefabrication.
- Process engineers.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belts.
- Site managers looking to raise crew productivity.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the construction sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 18404:2015 (Lean and Six Sigma)
- ISO 13053-1:2011 (DMAIC methodology)
- UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 (quality management systems)
- ISO 22400-2:2014 (KPIs for manufacturing operations management)
- ISO 10006:2017 (quality management in projects)
- ISO 9004:2018 (quality management: sustained success)
- ISO 13053-2:2011 (Six Sigma tools and techniques)
- Minitab
- Lucidchart
- Microsoft Visio
- KaiNexus
- Microsoft Excel
8 modules
1.1Principles of Value Stream Mapping1.2Selecting the product or process family1.3VSM symbols and conventions1.4Current state map1.5Cycle time and value-added time1.6Inventories and waiting1.7Information flows1.8Future state map1.9Implementation plan1.10Workshop: VSM of the on-site rebar process
2.1The eight wastes in construction2.2Work sampling2.3Crew observation2.4Time and motion studies2.5Spaghetti diagrams2.6Analysis of internal transport2.7Rework and its cost2.8Waiting for information2.9Quantifying waste2.10Practical: work sampling of a formwork crew
3.1The Kaizen philosophy of incremental improvement3.2Kaizen events and how to prepare them3.3The PDCA cycle applied to the site3.4A3 as a problem-solving tool3.5Five whys and Ishikawa3.6Standardised work3.7Staff suggestions3.8Gemba walks on site3.9Sustaining improvements3.10Workshop: one-week Kaizen event
4.15S on site and in warehouses4.2Poka-yoke and error prevention4.3Material kanban4.4Standardised work by crew4.5SMED for equipment changeovers4.6Jidoka and stops for quality4.7First-time quality4.8Heijunka and levelling4.9Skills matrix4.10Practical: implementing 5S in a site cabin
5.1Defining productivity in construction5.2Labour production rates5.3Factors affecting productivity5.4Learning curves5.5Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)5.6Machinery productivity5.7Benchmarking between sites5.8Productivity and safety5.9Statistical analysis of production rates5.10Case study: analysis of concrete pouring production rates
6.1Phases of the DMAIC cycle6.2Problem definition and CTQs6.3Measurement and measurement system analysis6.4Process capability6.5Statistical root cause analysis6.6Basic design of experiments6.7Statistical process control6.8Lean Six Sigma in projects6.9Belts and roles6.10Lab: DMAIC to reduce rework
7.1Lean leadership on site7.2Respect for people7.3Change management7.4Communication and participation7.5Ongoing training in Lean tools7.6Recognition and incentives7.7Cultural barriers in construction7.8Improvement across the supply chain7.9Lean maturity assessment7.10Case study: Lean transformation of a construction company
8.1Process selection8.2Current state map8.3Waste analysis8.4Future state map8.5Kaizen event plan8.6Productivity indicators8.7Estimate of expected results8.8Sustainability plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Minitab, Lucidchart, Microsoft Visio, KaiNexus and Microsoft Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: a value stream map of the rebar process, work sampling of a formwork crew, and a Kaizen event to reduce rework in finishes. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: ISO 18404:2015, ISO 13053-1:2011, UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22400-2:2014, ISO 10006:2017, ISO 9004:2018 and ISO 13053-2:2011.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Minitab, Lucidchart, Microsoft Visio, KaiNexus and Microsoft Excel, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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