Course syllabus

Produktinnovation
Product Innovation

MMKN35, 7,5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2016/17
Decided by: Education Board E
Date of Decision: 2016-04-04

General Information

Elective for: BME4, I4, M4-pu, MD5
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand

Aim

The course aims at introducing fundamental knowledge and understanding about strategies, terminology and methodology associated with product innovation and its sub-processes, the product renewal and the product development processes. The primary focus is set on the strategic parts of the development process, i.e. product renewal including the establishment of the product renewal programme (product plan including a listing of product proposals to be developed by the company). The product development process is further examined in a deeper perspective than was the case in the compulsory course MMKF01. Especially a number of established methods utilized in the product development process are scrutinized and critically reflected upon with reference to the latest research findings. Also the later phases of the product development process, not accounted for in the previous compulsory course MMKF01, are described and discussed. The students are also expected to have gained such knowledge and understanding that they are able to reflect on and, if necessary, also to suggest improvements to existing product innovation process models.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Contents

Based on a general model of the industrial development process of products, the product innovation course starts directly by grouping the students in teams before the industrial development project is launched. Within the framework of this project a short industrial survey is initially performed, which aims at giving students an insight into how development work is carried out within the host company allocated to the team. In parallel to the project work, the product renewal process is introduced (a process specific to small and medium sized companies that corresponds in general to the traditional product planning process). As part of this process, a suitable portfolio of development projects is generated, based on the company’s product policy (itself derived from the company’s overall business goals and from a market analysis). In the subsequent part of the course, the product development process is treated, with emphasis on the initial principle or, alternatively put, concept development phase, but also including its other phases if relevant for the actual project. Note that the implementation of the product development part of the project under normal conditions is very comprehensive and focuses primarily on the product solution as such and not, as in the course MMKF01, on the process. In the final part of the course the students deepen their knowledge on a number of recognized methods and tools utilizing the latest research results in the field.
The project consists, in other words, of the following three parts: the industrial survey, the product renewal and the product development projects. In the third part of the project, covering both concept development but also including elements from the later phases such as development of product architecture and detailed design, the students develop one of the product proposals derived from their product renewal project. The project is presented in the form of a group report, as well as orally by the entire team in front of the other teams and to the participating companies. The project is carried out by teams of 4-6 students per team.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH
Assessment: The course includes a compulsory industrial project which is carried out in groups of 4-6 students. A passed project gives a score between 30 and 60 points. All group members receive the same number of points earned on the project. In addition, the students must pass an individual written examination thus earning a score of between 15 and 30 points. Passed exercises during the course gives extra marks to the written examination. The accumulated points from the projects and the exam will result in the following final grades: 45-59 points - final grade 3; 60-76 points - final grade 4; 77-90 points - final grade 5.

Parts
Code: 0114. Name: Product Innovation Project.
Credits: 5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: A passed project gives a score between 30 and 60 points. All group members receive the same number of points earned on the project. Contents: The project is, if possible, carried out in cooperation with an industrial enterprise. Alternatively a fictive enterprise is utilized. The project is carried out in groups of 4-6 students. The project’s first part, the investigation of the industrial company is documented and presented orally by all group members. The project’s second part, product renewal, aims at delivering a number of project/product proposals suitable to be developed within the enterprise. One of product proposals from the product renewal process is utilized in the subsequent product development process. In this third part the team carries out any suitable activities from the conceptual development phase or from any other later phases such as product architecture and detailed design activities if necessary. All parts are presented in a common report and presented orally by all the group members in front of a representative of the collaborating company.
Code: 0214. Name: Written Examination.
Credits: 2,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Written individual examination. Passed exam gives a score between 15 and 30 points. Passed exercises during the course gives extra marks. Contents: The written examination covers the content of the theory presented in the course.

Admission

Admission requirements:

The number of participants is limited to: No

Reading list

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Damien Motte, damien.motte@design.lth.se
Course administrator: Cilla Perlhagen, cilla.perlhagen@design.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.product.lth.se/education/courses/