Course Topics
Module 1 - Product Development: • The concept of innovation • New product development processes and models • Forecasting techniques for new products • Quality Function Deployment • Conjoint Analysis Module 2 - Engineering and Product Design: • Engineering design cycles • Product planning and specifications • Conceptual design • Design creativity and assessment thereof • Human-product interaction • User Experience • Eye-tracking in design research

Teaching format
Frontal lectures, exercises, laboratory and experimental activities

Educational objectives
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO) Knowledge and understanding Students should acquire the knowledge and the understanding of: • New product development process and related concepts • Essential tools and methods for customer involvement in new product development • Tools and approaches for market research in new product development • Engineering design cycles • Creative conceptual design • User Experience in engineering and product design • Systems to test human-product interaction Applying knowledge and understanding • Ability to frame a product development process and its governance structure • Ability to apply the Quality Function Deployment tool to a simple product • Ability to properly design a Conjoint Analysis • Ability to understand the main drivers behind product development and design • Ability to meditate about concepts instead of rushing to solutions • Ability to identify the main elements to be tested to allow the appraisal of design ideas and new products • Ability to organize tests aimed to evaluate people’s experience with new products Making judgements • Ability to transfer the knowledge and methods learned to real practical applications thanks to groupworks, exercises and simulation of experimental activities within product development and design Communication skills • Ability to prepare, conduct and join interactive discussions in class • Ability to structure, prepare, and present arguments related to product development and design Ability to learn • Ability to autonomously extend the knowledge acquired during the study course by reading and understanding

Additional educational objectives and learning outcomes
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Assessment
Module 1 is assessed through a project-based work, carried out in groups. The assessment includes a short individual oral discussion aimed at verifying the understanding of the concepts and methods covered in the module and the individual contribution to the project. Module 2 is assessed through a written examination lasting 1.5 hours. The final grade is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the two modules, each expressed on a 30-point scale.

Evaluation criteria
The assessment of the project-based work (Module 1) will be based on: • Quality and coherence of the project and problem framing • Appropriate and correct application of the methods introduced in the course • Quality of data analysis, interpretation, and resulting recommendations • Clarity of the work and individual understanding demonstrated during the oral discussion The written examination (Module 2) will consider: • Ability to accurately illustrate concepts about the topics of the course • Clarity of answers • Mastery of specialistic terminology

Required readings

Lecture notes and documents for exercises will be available on the Microsoft Teams of the course.

Supplementary readings

Books and articles will be possibly suggested by the lecturers during the course.

Further information
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