Product Development Management - MBA
Course Overview
One important aspect of business management that is sometimes overlooked by inexperienced managers is the understanding of the vital role designers and engineers perform in a company and how their interplay with other aspects of a company, such as marketing, sales and finance is critical for ongoing business success and growth.
This specialist MBA pathway equips students with the knowledge, skills and expertise necessary to plan, implement and manage successful product development projects. In addition, the pathway will provide students with a sound overview of the development of new products by contextualising the product development process by linking market and technical research, commercial and social drivers, concept development, design for manufacture, production, marketing and sales.
Course Content
Product Development Management students receive the following two specialist modules in addition to the common shared or “core” modules that all our MBA students undertake.
Product Development Management:
This provides students with a sound overview of the product design & development process by contextualising the product design activity within the broader commercial business environment. Assignment – 5000 word written report.
Managing the Product Development Process
This equips students with the knowledge, skills and expertise necessary to plan, implement and manage a successful product development projects. Assignment – 4000 word report and short presentation.
The Product Development Management pathway is taught by staff with substantial expertise in the delivery of post graduate courses plus professional management experience that covers the all aspects of design management including design consultancy, concept and detailed design, ergonomics, CAD, prototyping, tooling, batch and mass manufacture.
Modules:
Product Development Principles and Practice:
To provide students with a sound basis of the product design & development process by contextualising product design within the broader commercial environment. Assignment – 6000 word written report.
Equip students with the knowledge, skills and expertise necessary to plan, implement and manage a successful product development process. Assignment – 4000 word report and short presentation.
The Product Development Management pathway will be taught by the Cardiff School of Art & Design and the National Centre for Product Design & Development Research. Both have substantial expertise in the delivery of courses at the interface of engineering and product design. The National Centre for Product Design & Development Research is one of the UK's leading centres for rapid product design & development whose expertise covers the whole process from design management, concept and detailed design, ergonomics and CAD to prototyping, tooling and batch manufacture.
Career Potential
For business students who wish to become managers in the product development and manufacturing sectors, it is critical that they have an understanding of the product development process and the different technological options available for rapid product development. This specialist pathway directly addresses these issues and highlights their impact on managerial strategy.
Entry Requirements
In common with the rest of the MBA, Applicants should have at least two years significant management experience.
Key Facts
Campus: Llandaff
School: Cardiff School of Management / Cardiff School of Art & Design
Course Length:
One year full-time.
September, February and July intake.
Assessment:
Module work will be assessed by looking to see if you demonstrate your level of understanding together with your ability to apply that knowledge, rather than your ability to simply repeat information that you have been given. Assessment will be made using the marking criteria laid out in the assignment and work will be marked according to the university postgraduate marking guidelines.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the university. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply
Selection Procedure:
The entry requirement is an undergraduate degree or equivalent. A motivated professional who has no undergraduate qualification but demonstrates several years of experience and practice may also apply, and depending on interview, be welcomed to the programme.