MSc Engineering Project Management / Course details

This course unit detail provides the framework for delivery in 20/21 and may be subject to change due to any additional Covid-19 impact.  Please see Blackboard / course unit related emails for any further updates.

In this unit students will:
Critically analyse the processes that are used to manage innovation in engineering projects from idea to product launch.
Explain how innovation can involve improvements to a product, a process and/or a service to enable a company to remain competitive in its market.
Analyse the factors that are internal and external to a company that create the opportunity to improve. 
Explain components of the innovation process including: idea generation, problem definition, external factors analysis, technical capabilities assessment, concept development, modelling, testing, prototype testing, standards and approvals, commitment to production and market launch.
Explain how intellectual property is protected and exploited through Patent, Trade Mark, Copyright, Registered Design and licence.
Develop critical analysis of case examples of product and service innovation to help to illustrate how theoretical models apply in practical situations.
Develop information searching, analysis, referencing and presentation skills assessed through structured, written individual reports.
 

Explain the processes involved in managing an innovative engineering-based project.
Explain how an innovative project typically involves evaluation of complex scenarios, novelty and uncertainty which can lead to more challenges for the project team.
Illustrate how innovative engineering projects require a wide range of technical and market factors to be analysed.
Analyse the management processes of innovation in an engineering project, with reference to current innovation models and case study examples.
Evaluate a wide range of engineering and market topics to produce a critically evaluated plan for a specific innovation development projects.
 

Week 1 Introduction to Innovation Management
An overview of the unit aims and learning outcomes
Definitions of Innovation, reasons for Innovation, accurate definition of the problem
(Formative short assessment task issued
Two Summative Assignments issued and assessment briefing given)

Week 2 Market Pull and Technology Push
Case study examples to analyse various types of innovation driven by changes in the market and or changes in technological capability.
(Submit short formative assignment coursework.)

Week 3 External factors analysis
External Factors analysis, consideration of factors that are beyond the direct control of the company that create opportunities to innovate.
Introduction to appropriate search techniques to identify published information from a variety of sources that are reliable, up to date and relevant to the innovation opportunity.  Introduce a personal system of reading and note making to support critical analysis.

Week 4 Evaluating the Market
Segmenting the market, defining the customer, evaluating customer needs and wants. Search and use of secondary market information from reliable and relevant sources.
Feedback released for formative coursework activity

Week 5 Incremental and disruptive innovation
Case study examples of incremental innovations leading to small, regular improvements compared to innovations that have suddenly disrupted markets.

Week 6 Report writing good practice
Guidance for good practice when researching and writing reports. How to avoid common errors and improve draft work through iterative, self-critical analysis.

Week 7 Sustainable, ethical and socially responsible innovation
Case study examples of innovations that have been to the benefit or detriment of various stakeholders.  Three pillars model. Innovation critically evaluated through application of different sustainability, ethical and societal criteria (or “lenses”).
(Assignment 1 submitted)

Week 8 Innovation management within a company
How innovation projects may be organised within a company, the role of supply network partners, how stage gates may be used, how innovation teams may be formed and managed. Comparing and contrasting linear and iterative development models, traditional and agile approaches, relating these to uncertainty and cost in innovation projects.

Week 9 Ways to Generate, refine and select ideas
Ideas tool kit, generating new ideas, rationalising, refining and selecting concepts to develop. Developing and refining a specification of performance requirements.

Week 10 Protecting and exploiting innovation
Identification and protection of Intellectual Property (IP) arising during the innovation process.  Explanation of protection afforded by Patent, Registered Design, Copyright and Trade Mark, analysis of possible exploitation of IP through licence agreements and technology transfer.
(Assignment 1 feedback released)

Week 11 Innovation development using Models, Rigs and Prototype testing
Development stages to test aspects of the innovation – to reduce risk and uncertainty.  Models, rigs, 3D modelling and simulation, prototypes, testing, standards and approvals processes.

Week 12 Coursework Assignment 2
Case study examples of market introduction of innovations
Discussion board to encourage critical self-reflection on draft assignment two report to improve it before submission using iterative approach.
(Assignment 2 Submitted
Feedback for assignment 2 in examination period)

Report -

BlackBoard
delivered feedback Week 3

Individual BlackBoard
Delivered feedback Week 10

Individual BlackBoard
Delivered feedback delivered Wk 15