Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
ME50326: Managing product development |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Masters |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| CW 50%, EX 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | ME50326 Reassessment examination (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: * To illustrate the stages of product design processes, methods for creativity and styling, awareness of human factors and ergonomics. * To provide awareness of the product design discipline and typical activities undertaken. * To introduce strategic, cultural, organisational and technological aspects of product development, including consideration of knowledge management issues, models of the new product introduction (NPI) process, management of the NPI process, product development strategies, sustainable development issues. Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the unit the student will be able to: * Describe typical product design processes; appreciate user requirements such as style, form and interaction. * Identify the key elements of successful products. * Identify different phases in the evolution of products. * Outline strategic, organisational, human and cultural factors that should be taken into account when developing products for a global market. * Describe design approaches for sustainable development. Skills: Problem solving; working independently; written communication, creativity skills. Content: Product design: user requirements, form, styling, functionality. Creativity, concept generation, concept evaluation. Human factors, ergonomics. Examples of successful products and best practice. Product development: historical and cultural context. Human aspects: communities of practice; critical situations; methods for knowledge sharing, cultural issues. Strategic aspects: managing the design process; product platform and strategy; mass customisation; late and local configuration, issues of and approaches to sustainable development. Topics for self study that could be examined. |