Course Overview
This accessible one-day course helps non-technical stakeholders understand embedded systems development. Perfect for product owners, project managers, and business leaders who work with embedded teams, you’ll learn the fundamentals of hardware-software integration, understand why embedded development takes longer, and discover how to communicate effectively with technical teams. No technical background required.
“Why is this taking so long?” and “Can’t we just update it like an app?” are questions that reveal the gap between software thinking and embedded reality. This course bridges that gap, explaining why a “simple” feature might require new hardware, why testing takes months not days, and why your embedded team worries about component availability years in advance. You’ll understand the unique risks of embedded systems—from safety recalls to bricked devices in the field—and learn why IoT products face challenges that cloud services never encounter. Leave with the ability to spot unrealistic requirements before they derail projects and appreciate why “just push an update” isn’t always possible.
Learning Objectives
- Understand embedded systems vs traditional software development
- Master essential hardware concepts and supply chain risks
- Recognize IoT and edge computing constraints and challenges
- Identify unique embedded risks: safety, security, and reliability
- Communicate effectively with embedded engineering teams
- Make informed decisions about product capabilities and trade-offs
- Build empathy for embedded development challenges
Topics Covered
- Embedded Systems 101 - What they are and why they’re different
- Hardware & Supply Chain - Components, BOM risks, and availability challenges
- IoT and Edge Computing - Connectivity, updates, and “edge” vs cloud
- Unique Embedded Risks - Safety, security, reliability, and field failures
- Development Realities - Timelines, testing, and production constraints
- Communication Excellence - Working effectively with technical teams
- Regulatory & Standards - Safety certifications and compliance
- Success Strategies - Being an effective embedded stakeholder
What You Get
- Embedded systems fundamentals for non-engineers
- Communication strategies for technical collaboration
- Framework for understanding constraints and timelines
- Real-world examples and case studies
- Networking with other business stakeholders
- Certificate of completion