Key information

Teaching department:  UCL School of Management
Credit value:  15
Restrictions:  This module is only available to UCL MBA students. You must have first completed the Operations Management module.

A key capability in organisations in responding to a volatile and fast-changing market is new product development. Firms that are able to bring a steady stream of timely and well-executed products (goods or services) to market are likely to enjoy long-term financial success. Designing products and bringing them to market, however, is not a straightforward process due to many inherent uncertainties. The module introduces tools and concepts for both linking product development to strategy and marketing, and for managing the development process for speed, efficiency and market impact. The module focuses on new product innovation as a process and examines key steps (opportunity identification, design, testing, product launch) through which an initial idea is transformed into an actual product or service.

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• understand fundamental principles that govern the new product development process
• assess, examine and manage risks associated with uncertainties of the product development process
• apply theoretical NPD knowledge and frameworks/methods to practice by progressing through the NPD process for an actual product
• work with a team by managing interdisciplinary tasks to achieve successful product development
• discuss and debate module topics with leaders from other cultures and industries.

Methods of assessment:

Mark scheme:  Letter grades

Module leader:  Dr Bilal Gokpinar

Who to contact for more information:  admissions@onlinelearning.ucl.ac.uk