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 Academic Year: | 2016/7 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| Credits: | 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 120 |
| Level: | Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
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| Assessment Summary: | CW 50%, EX 50% |
| Assessment Detail: |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
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| Requisites: | |
| Description:
| Aims: * To introduce students to a systematic methodology of solving inventive / creative challenges in the context of both business and technology. * To introduce the concepts of TRIZ in the context of technology management * To introduce the application of TRIZ / Systematic Innovation methods to consumer and business models - enabling students to innovate in aspects other than purely technical * To build the ability to select and use systematic innovation tools effectively in an appropriate context * To show how systematic innovation techniques enrich and complement other systematic methodologies such as QFD and Six Sigma. * To impart an understanding of the role of societal and economic influences on the innovation process * To provide a working knowledge of the patenting process and to be able to use patents as a source of innovation. Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the unit the student will be able to: * Demonstrate the correct use of the tools for systematic innovation; reasons for their use, relative strengths and weaknesses and appropriate context of application; * Position product development in the global context of technology evolution and changes in economics and society. * Use a number of innovation methods and techniques in combination to: - Suggest promising solution directions for technical problems; - Address business problems in a structured yet creative manner; - Apply the processes to the development of new products and market forecasts. * Describe the patenting system and the characteristics of strong IP; demonstrate the use of patents as a creative stimulus. Skills: * Making sense of complex technical challenges by defining the problem space in different ways. * Ensuring the right problem is being addressed before going on to find solutions. * Making sense of fuzzy, human / marketing based problems and interpreting these factors as drivers of technology and business model innovation. * Patent landscaping - such that patents can be used as stimulus for creativity. Content: * Background of the human factors restricting creativity - summary of how the brain works and why systematic innovation serves to complement how we think. * The primary "pillars" of classical TRIZ including: Contradictions; 9 Windows; Resources; Functionality; 40 Principles; Ideality; Trends of Evolution. * The more recently developed TrenDNA method that applies TRIZ thinking to societal and consumer emotional factors, including: generational modelling; emotional mapping; spiral dynamics thinking styles; consumer trend mapping; and business model innovation. * Related and complementary methodologies such as: QFD; Lean; 6 Sigma; and strategic planning. * Case studies taken from industry, for example: the automotive sector; entrepreneurial start-ups; consulting. |
| Programme availability: |
ME50325 is Compulsory on the following programmes:School of Management
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Notes:
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