Diploma in PLM and Military Configuration Control
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in PLM and military configuration control: 8 modules covering the defence product life cycle, MIL-HDBK-61B, SAE EIA-649C and ACMP-2000, configuration identification, change control, status accounting and audits, PLM systems and S1000D/S3000L technical data, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in PLM and Military Configuration Control — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a established defence industry centred on companies such as Denel and Paramount Group, with capabilities in land systems, armoured vehicles and munitions. The sector supports engineering roles in systems integration, vehicle design and test and evaluation. Defence procurement and export controls are overseen by government bodies, and the industry works closely with the South African National Defence Force. Engineers in this field typically combine mechanical, electrical and systems skills.
Fees for South Africa: R 27 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies regulate or recognise defence and military engineering professionals?
Engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA under the Engineering Profession Act, and defence programmes are guided by institutions such as the South African National Defence Force and Armscor, which set their own requirements. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by these bodies and your employer, so confirm with them first.
Would this qualification help me find work in South Africa's defence or land systems sector?
South Africa has a defence industry with state-linked entities and private contractors, and employers usually require security clearances, relevant experience and recognised qualifications. A private online programme may support your application but does not guarantee employment or clearance. Check requirements with prospective employers, as roles in this sector can be sensitive and tightly controlled.
Can I study alongside a job, and are there funding options?
The course is 100% online and taught in English, so you need strong English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so ask whether your employer would fund part of the training.
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
Understand the principles of product life-cycle management in defence.
Apply military and civil configuration management standards.
Define configuration items and baselines.
Manage change control, deviations and waivers.
Implement PLM systems and product structures.
Integrate logistics support data and technical publications.
Carry out configuration audits and status accounting.
Who it's for
- Configuration managers.
- PLM engineers.
- Product data managers.
- Logistics support engineers.
- Configuration auditors.
- PLM solutions architects.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- MIL-HDBK-61B (configuration management)
- SAE EIA-649C (configuration management standard)
- ACMP-2000 (NATO configuration management requirements)
- ISO 10007 (guidelines for configuration management)
- ISO 10303-239 (AP239 PLCS, product life cycle support)
- ASD S1000D (technical publications)
- ASD S3000L (logistics support analysis)
- Siemens Teamcenter
- PTC Windchill
- Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE
- Aras Innovator
8 modules
1.1Life-cycle phases1.2Systems engineering and PLM1.3The digital thread1.4Product data1.5Ownership of technical data1.6Multinational programmes1.7Long-term sustainment1.8Obsolescence1.9Challenges of defence programmes1.10Case study: data map of a programme
2.1MIL-HDBK-61B2.2SAE EIA-649C2.3NATO ACMP-20002.4ISO 100072.5Contractual requirements2.6Configuration management plan2.7Roles and responsibilities2.8Configuration tools2.9Comparison of standards2.10Workshop: configuration management plan
3.1Configuration items3.2Selection of items3.3Functional, allocated and product baselines3.4Configuration documentation3.5Numbering and marking3.6Product structures3.7Interfaces and interface control documents3.8Software as a configuration item3.9Fleet configurations3.10Practical exercise: defining baselines
4.1Engineering change proposals4.2Change classification4.3Configuration control board4.4Impact analysis4.5Deviations and waivers4.6Change implementation4.7Serial number effectivity4.8Changes during sustainment4.9Change indicators4.10Case study: processing a change proposal
5.1Configuration status accounting5.2Configuration records5.3Functional configuration audit5.4Physical configuration audit5.5In-service configuration verification5.6Discrepancies and regularisation5.7Status reports5.8Requirements traceability5.9Reporting tools5.10Lab: physical configuration audit
6.1Architecture of PLM systems6.2Document and CAD management6.3Engineering and manufacturing bills of materials6.4Workflows6.5ERP integration6.6Requirements management6.7Security of classified data6.8Data migration6.9PLM implementation6.10Practical exercise: product structure in a PLM system
7.1S3000L logistics support analysis7.2S1000D technical publications7.3Data modules7.4PLCS data exchange7.5Configuration in publications7.6Parts catalogues7.7Maintenance data7.8Interoperability with allies7.9Fleet digital twin7.10Workshop: S1000D data module linked to configuration
8.1Product description8.2Product configuration management plan8.3Product structure8.4Baselines8.5Change control process8.6PLM architecture8.7Audit plan8.8Implementation plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill, Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE and Aras Innovator, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: definition of a programme's baselines, processing of an engineering change proposal and a physical configuration audit. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: MIL-HDBK-61B, SAE EIA-649C, ACMP-2000, ISO 10007, ISO 10303-239 (AP239 PLCS), ASD S1000D, ASD S3000L.
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 Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill, Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE and Aras Innovator, 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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