Product development (4cr)

Evaluation scale

1-5

Objective

Upon completion of the course students will be competent in:
- applying the stage-gate product process model in the development of a new product.
- identifying different methods of implementation for a matrix organisation
- utilising various methods to identify customer needs.
- converting customer needs in to product specifications.
- identifying the role of industrial design in the product process.
- analysing products in production using the DFMA method.
- using present value calculations to determine the costs of a product development project.
- recognising the significance of patents, trademarks, copyrights of design and trade names to the company.

Content

- Product process and organisation models
- Identifying customer needs
- Concept design and determining product specifications
- Industrial design
- Planning efficient manufacturing
- Prototypes in product development
- Cost management of a product development project
- Patents, trademarks, copyrights of design, trade names
- Development of a service product
- Product development in supplier company

Materials

Lecture material

Additional reading:
Ulrich, Karl T., Steven D. Eppinger, ja Maria C. Yang. Product Design and Development. Seventh edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2020.

Teaching methods

The study involves contact teaching and requires attendance at the SEAMK campus.
The course is conducted in the Moodle learning environment. The course requires independent work and scheduling.

Theoretical instruction is delivered through short lecture sprints during classes.
Learning is further deepened through individual and group assignments completed either during lessons or at home. The course also includes a comprehensive product development assignment, in which each student group explores the process of a product development project of their own choice

Student workload

Estimated workload: 108 hours, including about 33 hours of contact teaching

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Level 1-2: The student knows the operation of product development and demonstrates familiarity with its significance.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Level 3-4: The student knows the stages of the product development process, and demonstrates competence in the operation of the stages and the application of objectives.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Level 5: The student is able to plan the product development process as a whole and is able to analyze its impact on the company.

Qualifications

No previous studies are required.