MF2084 Managing Research and Development 6.0 credits

• Education cycle

  Second cycle

• Main field of study

  Mechanical Engineering
  

• Grading scale

  A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

• Course web

Intended learning outcomes

After passing the course, the students should be able to:

• describe how theory related to strategy and organisation have been developed over time

• use basic concepts, theories and analytical frameworks related to strategy and organisation

• analyse the interplay between research and development and various types of overall business and company strategies and their influence when it comes to how a company should organise its development activities

• show knowledge of different ways to organise companies on, and how these structures relate to overall business and company strategies and leadership

• understand advantages and disadvantages when it comes to different ways to organise and lead research and development

• show knowledge of different economic models for management of research and development

• show knowledge of relevant aspects on distributed research and development and on business and value driven research and development and lean research and development

• show knowledge of advantages and disadvantages related to outsourcing and offshoring of research and development activities

• show knowledge of different integration mechanisms that can be used when research and development is organised

• design product portfolios

• understand advantages and disadvantages of product platforms and modularisation, as well as the surrounding factors that influence their use

Course main content

• Different theories and frameworks related to strategy

• Strategies at different levels in a company; e g research and development, overall business and company strategies

• Research and development strategy and leadership

• Organizational theory and organizational design

• Organisation and management of research and development

• Product portfolios and product strategies

• Product families, platforms and modularisation

• Lean research and development

Eligibility

Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering or the equivalent.

Recommended prerequisites

The course is open for exchange students fulflling the course eligibility, but priority will be given to students taking the IPD Master’s programme.

Literature

Will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Examination

• PRO1 - Project, 2.0, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• SEM1 - Seminars, 0.5, grading scale: P, F
• TEN2 - Written exam, 3.5, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

The examination is based on the results of written examination and of the project work.

The grading is done according to the following:

• Written examination, (4 credits)

• Project Work (2 credits)

The course grade is given by calculating the weighted average of the grades for the written examination and for the project work

Offered by

ITM/Machine Design

Contact

Susanne Nilsson (suni@kth.se)

Examiner

Mats Magnusson <matsmag@kth.se>

Supplementary information

The course is open for all students at advanced level (second level). Priority will be given to students at the Master’s programme IPD.

Version

Course syllabus valid from: Autumn 2017.
Examination information valid from: Autumn 2019.