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ME50326: Managing product development

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 50%, EX 50%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 50%)
  • Group Presentation (CW 10%)
  • Written Assignment (CW 40%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:

* To introduce models of product development, technical change and innovation.
* To consider strategic, cultural, organisational and technological aspects of product development in a global context.
* To demonstrate various aspects of managing innovative product development including risk and knowledge management.
* To provide awareness of sustainable product development drivers and the principles of life cycle assessment.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the unit the student will be able to:
* Critically assess product development and innovation models; identify the key elements of successful products; describe the phases of product & technology evolution.
* Outline strategic, organisational, human and cultural factors that should be taken into account when developing products for a global market.
* Suggest relevant options for risk and knowledge management in a given product development context.
* Describe approaches for sustainable product development.

Skills:
Problem solving; working independently; group work; presentation skills; written communication, reflective practice.

Content:
Examples of successful products and best practice.
Product development: historical and cultural context.
Human aspects: communities of practice; methods for knowledge sharing, cultural issues.
Strategic aspects: managing the design process; design for X, product platform and strategy; mass customisation; late and local configuration
Knowledge Management: types of knowledge, tools, processes and metrics, communities of practice, strategic considerations
Risk Management: types of risk, risk management techniques, design risk, psychological responses
Sustainable product development and life cycle thinking.
Topics for self study that could be examined.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

ME50326 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

School of Management
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.