IRI14012 Product Development (Autumn 2013–Spring 2014)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Mandatory course in the bachelor programme Innovation and Project Management.

Lecture Semester

1^st (autumn) and 2^nd (spring) semesters

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge: The students have gained theoretical and practical understanding of what influences product development in manufacturing, services and business in the public and private sectors.

Skills: The students are able to carry out their own practical product development projects, and to demonstrate independent and critical application of knowledge within the subject.

General competence: The students are able to assess their own and others' product development critically, emphasizing environmental, interpersonal and technical challenges, and show understanding of the challenges of a product development process.

Content

Students learn about different methods of product development and application of this knowledge in the development of a finished product, and get a thorough knowledge of factors that influence a product development process.

Forms of teaching and learning

Lectures combined with company visits, guest lectures, tutorials, practical group projects and independent study. Teamwork is the main way of working and involves real-life projects either provided by companies or defined by the teacher. A high degree of independence is required, inspired by a practical project-work approach. A problem-based approach is used in the project; hence it is a condition that the project work is based on real issues.

Instruction may be given in English if needed, and project reports and exam papers can also be submitted in English.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

A minimum of two individual submissions. More details are given in the semester plan.
All required coursework must have been passed and approved before a student may register for the final exam.

Examination

Portfolio assessment including oral group examination.
The student groups submit their portfolios containing their coursework by the given deadline.
The written part must be passed before the oral exam can be taken.

The oral examination lasts 20 minutes and is related to the contents of the portfolio. The examiners may ask questions of the group as a whole and also of individual candidates.
The grading system A-F is used, with A as the best mark and F as “fail”.

In the case of a fail, the portfolio may be resubmitted in an improved version. If the candidates wish to improve their result, they must submit a new portfolio.

Course evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation throughout the semester with methods agreed between the teacher (s) and the students.
Written final evaluation of the course.

Literature

Changes in the reading list may be expected, which means that new literature may replace the present course literature.

Ulrich, Karl T. & Steven D. Eppinger (1-5 edition), Product Design and Development. McGraw-Hill Education. http://www.ulrich-eppinger.net/

MIT Open Courseware: http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

Supplementary literature:

Product Design: A Practical Guide to Systematic Methods of New Product Development. Mike Baxter, edition: reissue, illustrated. CRC Press 1999. ISBN 0748741976, 9780748741977. 308 pages

Additional reading material may be handed out in lectures.