Strategic Product Development from Coursera

This course discusses how companies create new products that customers want while achieving their financial objectives. Learners begin by defining the product strategies necessary to ensure a company’s long-term growth. Learners then explore the different product development processes used by high-tech businesses today, such as Stage-Gate and Lean/Agile techniques. Learners conclude by illustrating the tools to build the high-performance teams that take the development process from concept through product launch.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview & Mechanics, What Makes a Great Product

This module introduces the course objectives, weekly topics, and provides a high-level view of the factors that make a product successful.

Innovation and Corporate Strategy

Products need to align with the company's strategy. In this module, we explore a company's mission and vision statements. When then link those to the business strategy, defined using two techniques: Porter's 5-Forces Analysis and the Business Model Canvas. We then wrap up with a discussion of the different types of product innovation - with Dean Kamen and Mike Biddle as two case studies.

Product and Technology Innovation, Roadmaps and Portfolio Management

In this module, we further explore different types of product and technology innovation, beginning with Christensen's model of the "innovator's dilemma". We then show the challenges when launching new products, particularly those that incorporate disruptive technologies. Product and Technology Roadmaps are product management tools that allow the team to see the long-term product and business strategy. Finally, the module ends with a few techniques on how to manage several different product development projects, a field known as Portfolio Management.

Identifying Product Opportunities

This module examines different techniques to identify product opportunities. Some of these we can see directly, as with Sir James Dyson's development of a new type of vacuum cleaner. We then look at a few different ways to develop innovative new products, from a market-pull approach to a technology-push approach, and everything in between. Finally, we go over your final project, one that you will have over the 3-course Product Development specialization.

PD Processes, Teams and Culture

In this lesson, we examine the many different types of product development processes, from the simple "Define-Build-Test" model to more sophisticated Stage-Gate methods, Agile/Sprint techniques, and the more recent "Agile Stage-Gate" model. Product development is a team sport, so we look at different types of teams - both good and bad, to identify the way to create high-performance teams for your product development effort. Finally, nothing can get done if innovation isn't part of the corporate culture, and we look at the Gore & Associates company to see what makes for a culture of innovation.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores different types of product innovation, from market-pull to technology-push approaches, which is important for understanding the full spectrum of innovation strategies

Examines product development processes and teams, which are crucial elements for successful product development

Introduces case studies of successful product development, providing practical examples of how concepts are applied in real-world scenarios

Taught by an experienced instructor with a strong background in product development, ensuring that learners benefit from industry expertise

Explores the alignment between product strategies and company strategies, highlighting the importance of aligning product development with overall business objectives

Requires learners to have some familiarity with product development concepts, which may limit accessibility for those new to the field

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Strategic Product Development with these activities:

Review Business Strategy Concepts

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Review business strategy concepts to strengthen understanding of their role in product development.

Browse courses on Porter's Five Forces Analysis

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Read an article or watch a video about Porter's Five Forces Analysis.
Create a Business Model Canvas for a real-world company.

Review Lean Principles

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Recall basic Lean principles to prepare for upcoming lessons.

Browse courses on Value Stream Mapping

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Read an online article about Lean principles.
Consider ways Lean principles can apply to your own life, or work or educational experiences.

Flowchart Practice

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Practice using flowcharts to model business processes.

Browse courses on Data Flow Diagrams

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Create a flowchart that represents a simple process, such as making a cup of coffee.
Identify the inputs and outputs of the process.
Identify the steps involved in the process and represent them with symbols.

Three other activities

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Reach Out to Industry Professionals

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Connect with professionals in the field to gain insights and expand knowledge.

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Identify potential mentors who are working in product development or related fields.
Reach out to them via email or LinkedIn to express your interest in connecting.
Set up informational interviews to learn about their experiences and perspectives.

Product Development Plan

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Apply lesson concepts to outline a basic plan for a hypothetical product development project.

Browse courses on New Product Development

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Identify the target market for the product.
Define the product's key features and benefits.
Develop a timeline for the product development process.
Prepare a budget for the project.

Personal Product Development Project

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Develop a tangible product or solution that showcases understanding of product development concepts.

Browse courses on New Product Development

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Identify a problem or opportunity that you would like to address with a new product.
Research the market and identify potential customers.
Develop a prototype of your product.
Test your prototype with potential customers and gather feedback.
Revise your product based on feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Strategic Product Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Developer

Product Developers work with engineers, designers, and marketers to bring new products to market. They are responsible for the entire product development process, from ideation to launch. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Product Developer by teaching you how to identify product opportunities, develop product roadmaps, and create high-performance teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Developer

Innovation Manager

Innovation Managers are responsible for driving innovation within their companies. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to identify new product opportunities and develop new products that meet the needs of customers. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Innovation Manager by teaching you how to identify product opportunities, develop product roadmaps, and create high-performance teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers are the people responsible for the success of new and existing products. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to define the product roadmap, develop the product strategy, and launch the product to market. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Product Manager by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for developing and executing business development strategies that grow revenue and market share. They work with a team of marketers, sales representatives, and product developers to identify new business opportunities, develop business plans, and close deals. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Business Development Manager by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns that promote products and services to customers. They work with a team of marketers, sales representatives, and product developers to create marketing materials, develop marketing strategies, and launch marketing campaigns. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Marketing Manager by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing a team of sales representatives. They work with a team of marketers, product developers, and customer service representatives to develop sales strategies, train sales representatives, and close deals. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Sales Manager by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to develop project plans, track project progress, and deliver projects on time and within budget. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Project Manager by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing operations. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to develop operations plans, track operations progress, and deliver operations on time and within budget. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Operations Manager by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing programs. They work with a team of project managers, engineers, designers, and marketers to develop program plans, track program progress, and deliver programs on time and within budget. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Program Manager by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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Manufacturing Manager

Manufacturing Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing manufacturing operations. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to develop manufacturing plans, track manufacturing progress, and deliver manufacturing operations on time and within budget. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Manufacturing Manager by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Managers are responsible for ensuring the quality of products and services. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to develop quality assurance plans, test products and services, and improve quality. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Quality Assurance Manager by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for creating and maintaining technical documentation. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to develop technical manuals, user guides, and other technical documentation. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Technical Writer by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing supply chain operations. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to develop supply chain plans, track supply chain progress, and deliver supply chain operations on time and within budget. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Supply Chain Manager by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are people who start their own businesses. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams. This course can help you build the skills you need to be a successful Entrepreneur by teaching you how to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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Consultant

Consultants are hired by companies to provide advice and expertise on a variety of topics. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to define product strategies, explore different product development processes, and build high-performance teams.

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