Interdisciplinary Professional Programs
College of Engineering

Quick Response Manufacturing Certificate

Learn the Principles and Tools for Lead Time Reduction in Manufacturing Enterprises

Gain expertise in lead time reduction with UW-Madison’s Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) Certificate. This program provides the core principles and tools to help manufacturing professionals reduce lead times by up to 80%, cut costs by 20-40%, and drive competitive advantage in high-mix, low-volume production environments.

Professional Benefits

This QRM Certificate offers a formal credential from a top-tier university, certifying your mastery of QRM principles, tools, and techniques. With this credential, you’ll be equipped to lead QRM implementations, improve operational performance, and share insights on QRM’s impact at industry events, enhancing your career and your organization’s success.

Digital Badge

Earn a digital badge upon completion as a shareable micro-credential, perfect for displaying on LinkedIn, email signatures, and social media. Click here for more information on digital badges.

Enroll Today

No upfront cost required—simply register and start fulfilling the requirements to earn your QRM Certificate. Upon completion, a nominal processing fee of $195 secures your printed and framed certificate. Take the next step in advancing your career and helping your organization thrive.

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James Rink
Program Director

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Please see “Certificate Requirements at a Glance” for more information

The following is an overview of the five requirements to earn the QRM Certificate. (The requirements can be completed in any order – there is no specified sequence.) All courses below are offered virtually or in person in Madison, Wisconsin, through the Center for QRM or Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro). Employees of QRM Center member companies can receive a 20% discount on the InterPro courses listed for Requirements 3 and 4. Please email the QRM Center Director for more information.

1) QRM Core Course

2) QRM Elective Courses (Choose Two Courses):

3) Leadership Core Course (Choose One Course):

4) Advanced Technical Core Course (Choose One Course):

5) QRM Reflection: In addition to the core and elective courses, the QRM Reflection is a vital part of the certificate requirements, designed to consolidate and showcase your understanding of Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) principles. This assessment encourages you to apply QRM insights within your professional context, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application. Through this written reflection, you’ll demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving abilities as they relate to QRM, reinforcing the skills and knowledge gained throughout the program.

Recommended Reading: To support your learning journey, we recommend the following:

Have You Previously Completed Some Courses? – You’re already on your way!

If you have completed any eligible courses within seven years prior to enrolling in the certificate program, you may receive credit for these courses.

Special note on ISyE 641:

If you have completed the UW-Madison graduate course ISyE 641 within the past 7 years, you are well on your way to earning the QRM Certificate, as it waives the first two requirements (the QRM Core Course and two QRM Elective Courses).

1) Two Core Courses on QRM

Complete the following two courses:

2) Two Elective Courses on QRM Subjects

Complete any two of the following QRM courses:

Courses on additional QRM topics may be added to the above list from time to time – contact QRM Center director James Rink for additional details.

3) One Course on Leadership/Team Building

Complete one of the following courses:

4) One Course on Manufacturing/Management/Maintenance Subjects

Complete one of the following courses offered by InterPro or QRM.

Courses offered by InterPro:

Any course in Requirement #3 that is not being used to fulfill that requirement

Courses offered by QRM:
Any course in Requirement #2 that is not being used to fulfill that requirement

5) Required Readings

Read these two books on QRM strategy and tools and pass a short online quiz:

Have You Previously Completed Some Courses? – You’re already on your way!

If you have completed any of the eligible courses within 7 years prior to admittance into the certificate program you can receive credit for these courses.

Special note on ISyE 641:

If you have completed the UW-Madison graduate course ISyE 641 within 7 years prior to admittance into the certificate program, you are well on your way to completing the QRM Certificate since many of the above requirements will be waived! Contact the QRM Center for more details.

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