Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course will familiarize you with the new product development challenges that product and service marketers face in complex (global) environments. ​You will obtain an understanding of the core approaches and concepts for developing user-centric innovations that allow firms to succeed in such fast-paced, fiercely competitive markets. Through contact sessions, readings, and assignments you will gain knowledge of and will learn to apply the key managerial practices related to managing a company’s new product development in a market­-oriented way.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 27.10.2020 - 03.12.2020

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Kristina Wittkowski

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Kristina Wittkowski

Contact information for the course (valid 16.09.2020-21.12.2112):

If you need any assistance, please follow this
process:
  1. Check the discussions in the forum
    and the materials provided on the MyCourses webpage (https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/view.php?id=27528
    ). Please check, if your issue
    has been already addressed, e.g., in previous posts. If this

    is not the case, you should post your question to the Discussion forum. On weekdays, I should usually respond within 48 hours. On weekends, it could take longer :-).
  2.  Should you need my support on a private matter, please email directly (kristina.wittkowski@aalto.fi).
    We can then arrange a meeting and discuss face-to-face.

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    We will cover the most important areas of market-­oriented management of new product development. We will discuss the product development process and the concepts, analytical frameworks, and managerial practices used in agile innovation development.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    The ever changing global
    economy and the resulting new market structures, competitive landscapes, and
    consumer demands requires businesses to distance from the familiar and to
    foster innovation and agility. The speed of disruption of the technological evolution
    permeates companies and business models and causes businesses to rethink the
    ways they operate and innovate.

    In this course, we explore
    business models and strategies that allow firms to operate and innovate to
    sustain their market position, capture new markets, and/or enhance their
    organizational effectiveness. We will discuss the importance of innovations for
    businesses and review different approaches to innovate. We will especially talk
    about the design thinking approach and apply it, and we will examine related frameworks,
    theories, and analysis techniques for creating break-through, user-centric and
    design-driven innovations. This course helps you to develop your creative
    potential by learning to address problems where not all knowledge is available
    at the outset. In fun, hands-on individual and group activities, you can test
    and train your innovative mindset and expertise.

    The course encompasses intensive content teaching sessions on the relevance of innovations and design
    thinking as an approach to generate breakthrough ideas for innovations, on
    ideating, empathizing, storytelling, rapid prototyping and testing.

    As a result of the learning activity, you will be able
    to

    • define innovation and recognize the importance
      of innovations in general
    • explain the importance of
      user-centric innovations in particular, and the need for a design thinking
      mindset 
    • discuss different innovation
      approaches firms use and describe especially the Design Thinking approach and
      how it can generate innovations
    •  explain key concepts and principles used
      in Design Thinking and identify relevant methods for empathizing, ideating,
      prototyping, testing
    •  apply the Design Thinking approach to
      generate human-centric solutions
    •  find that trial and error and/or
      failure are part of a valuable, creative innovation process
    •  recognize the importance and
      effectivity of other innovation processes, such as the New Products Process


Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Compulsory individual and course assignments.

    Autumn 2020:

    Group Assignment (40%)
    Individual Assignments (5%)
    Learning Diary (45%)
    In-session participation (10%)
    Mandatory attendance Nov 5, 17, Dec 1

    Assessment methods:

    Individual Pre-Ass. 1
    Learning Diary
    Group work

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    • contact teaching
    • independent work
    • individual and group assignments

    Autumn 2020:

    Individual Pre-Ass. 1
    Learning Diary
    Group work

  • Applies in this implementation:

    6 ECTS represent approximately 160 hours of student workload. The table gives you an estimate of how much time you should spend on the different assignments and activities and how many points you can receive for them. You will earn the points through completing individual and group assignments, and in-class participation.

     

    Activity/ Assignment

    Working  Hours

    Points through Group work

    Points through Individual work

    Points in %

    Lectures

    9

    Independent working hours

    33

    Individual Pre-Ass. 1

    3

    5

    5

    In-Class contribution

    10

    10

    Learning Diary

    60

    45

    45

    Design Thinking challenge

    55

    40

    40

    Total

    160

    40

    60

    100

     

    Please note that 40% of the grade are made up of the Design Challenge, which consists of in-class workshops and a group report in presentation format. The workshops will be held during the lecture sessions (please see schedule for exact dates) and you can use time outside the lecture sessions to detail, finalize, and create the rest of the group project. Final presentations will then be given in the form of short pitches. Please note that attendance on Dec 1 (group pitches) is mandatory. If you cannot attend sessions on Nov 24 or 26 you should not only inform me, but also your group members about your absence in advance.

    The rest of the grade is made up of your participation in the discussions (on and outside the sessions), a pre-assignment, and a learning diary. You are asked to keep the learning diary throughout the course and hand in the different parts at the end of each week. After the Design Challenge, all students are asked to include a reflection on all group members’ participation in the challenge in the learning diary. Please note that poor peer reviews would result in reductions of the grade you receive for the group work.

    Further, you are required to hand in a pre-assignment, before the course starts. An additional 10 points can be scored by actively participating in class and in the online discussions. It is therefore impossible to achieve an excellent grade, if you do not attend the teaching sessions.



DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    A collection of articles and book chapters assigned by the lecturer

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Our main means of interaction are MyCourses and Zoom.
    For the Design Challenge, you may need to register to and/or download
    additional software (at no cost!). Further information will be provided in
    time.

    Please note that all relevant course materials are
    provided on MyCourses, as are links to the Zoom sessions for contact teaching,
    and additional readings and video material. Readings and materials for in-class
    exercise are listed according to the session that they are relevant for. Thus,
    please check the MyCourses page regularly and make sure that you make yourself
    familiar with the relevant materials before the sessions. I will give
    instructions on how to prepare for the sessions also prior to our meetings.


Substitutes for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    23C79000 New Product Development

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Attending the course requires the prior completion of Introduction to marketing (23A00110 or equivalent).

Registration for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Registration via WedOodi. Check registration time in WebOodi.

    NOTE: Mention your group of priority upon registration.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    I kindly ask you to register to this course only if you are planning to attend all or at least the majority of the sessions. A significant part of
    the learning will take place through in-class interactions, assignments, discussions,
    and reflections and therefore you should ensure that you are present at the course
    sessions. Therefore, b
    eing absent may not only hamper your own
    learning progress, but also that of others. Please also note that the assessment methods are designed such that they assume your attendance (For further information, please view the section Elaboration of the evaluation criteria and methods.). Attendance on Nov. 5, 17, Dec. 1 is mandatory. 

    Please also note that students aiming for an excellent grade, should actively participate in the discussions. Therefore, you are strongly
    encouraged to engage in and start discussions during the teaching sessions and outside the sessions e.g., by posting in the MyCourses discussion forum. I
    consider it essential for your learning that we establish a respectful,
    tolerant, and open working atmosphere. Any questions (as long as they are
    appropriate) are welcome and you are warmly invited to share your knowledge and
    experiences with the whole group. To foster such an atmosphere, I also think it is
    essential that you are present, when you are present and that you only use any
    the technological means relevant for the teaching session during our
    interaction. Thank you!

     

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    3 Good Health and Well-being

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    17 Partnerships for the Goals

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The number of students admitted to the course is restricted to 50. Priority is given to (1) Aalto BSc students studying in Program/Specialization of Marketing, (2) Aalto BIZ students studying a minor study package in Marketing, and (3) other students studying a minor study package in Marketing. Attendance at the last two sessions is mandatory. Students not attending will automatically fail the course.

    NOTE: Students are required to write own group of priority to further information field of course registration!

  • Applies in this implementation:

    I kindly ask you to register to this course only if you are planning to attend all or at least the majority of the sessions. A significant part of
    the learning will take place through in-class interactions, assignments, discussions,
    and reflections and therefore you should ensure that you are present at the course
    sessions. Therefore, b
    eing absent may not only hamper your own
    learning progress, but also that of others. Please also note that the assessment methods are designed such that they assume your attendance (For further information, please view the section Elaboration of the evaluation criteria and methods.). Attendance on Nov. 5, 17, Dec. 1 is mandatory. 

    Please also note that students aiming for an excellent grade, should actively participate in the discussions. Therefore, you are strongly
    encouraged to engage in and start discussions during the teaching sessions and outside the sessions e.g., by posting in the MyCourses discussion forum. I
    consider it essential for your learning that we establish a respectful,
    tolerant, and open working atmosphere. Any questions (as long as they are
    appropriate) are welcome and you are warmly invited to share your knowledge and
    experiences with the whole group. To foster such an atmosphere, I also think it is
    essential that you are present, when you are present and that you only use any
    the technological means relevant for the teaching session during our
    interaction. Thank you!

     

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    27.10. Innovations - what are they and why do we need them

    29.10. Empathy

    3.11. Ideation

    5.11. Matias Vaara – Guest Lecture

    10.11. Prototyping
    and Evaluation

    12.11 Storytelling 

    17.11. Anna Kalme Yousician - Guest Lecture

    19.11. Intro
    Design Challenge

    24.11. Design
    Challenge Part 1

    26.11.  Design
    Challenge Part 2

    1.12. Pitches of Design Challenge Results