SMi in particular recognize that forms and models of traditional education are not longer feasible to train competent learners keeping up with the trends of economic growth as well as knowledge equipped for students is out of date. Therefore, SMi has been researching and applying conceiving, designing, implementing, and operating (CDIO) Initiate thoroughly and systematically in designing and renovating programs. CDIO Initiate is a framework oriented for outcome based education.

These learning outcomes detail what students should know and be able to do at the conclusion of their study programs. In addition to learning outcomes for technical disciplinary knowledge, the CDIO Syllabus specifies learning outcomes as personal and interpersonal skills, and product, process, system, and service skills, including concepts and competencies related to sustainable development. Personal learning outcomes focus on individual students' cognitive and affective development, for example, engineering reasoning and problem-solving, experimentation and knowledge discovery, system thinking, creative thinking, critical thinking, and professional ethics. Interpersonal learning outcomes focus on individual and group interactions, such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and communication in foreign languages. Product, process, system, and service skills (Section 4) focus on conceiving, designing, implementing, and operating such solutions in enterprise, business, and societal contexts.

Learning outcomes are reviewed and validated by key stakeholders, that is, groups who share an interest in the graduates of study programs, for consistency with program goals and relevance to business practice. Programs are encouraged to customize the CDIO Syllabus to their respective programs. In addition, stakeholders help to determine the expected level of proficiency, or standard of achievement, for each learning outcome.