New Products Management (N1587)

15 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

You learn how important it is for organisations to continuously develop new and improved products so they are not left behind in the market. 

You see why product development is a risky business and why many new products fail. You discuss the main issues faced by firms at each stage of the development process.

Through lecturers, case studies and the use of practical exercise you gain an understanding of effective innovation strategies, the tools and techniques firms employ to develop into new products and tactics to take them to market.

Whilst not guaranteeing success, this course will help you minimise the chances of failure in your future product development activities.

This course covers both the analytical and practical management aspects of the product/service design process. It also aims to relate the theoretical basis of the management of innovation with the practical application of design thinking in industry and commerce. It will be heavily centred on the service sector.

You look at: 

  • product planning
  • the produce design process
  • screening
  • concept development and testing
  • portfolio management
  • managing NPD
  • testing and market research
  • commercialisation strategies
  • success factors for new products
  • measuring innovation performance.

 

 

Teaching

100%: Practical (Workshop)

Assessment

20%: Coursework (Portfolio)
80%: Examination (Computer-based examination)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 32 hours of contact time and about 118 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.