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Innovation Management (PDip)

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Course Overview

This postgraduate diploma (PDip) course will assist you in:

  • Critically analyse and interpret conceptual and applied approaches to innovation in the pursuit of competitive advantage.
  • Explore the potential of business process improvement for creating agile and dynamic organisations.
  • Present a professional innovative idea with the potential to improve business within your organisation.

On completion of this postgraduate diploma, students can then progress to our Masters in Technology Management and gain exemptions for modules completed, see Progression Options.

More information: www.aua.ie

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Applications System. This course is listed under Adult Learning & CPD Courses Application.

Please visit our How to Apply page for Application tips and Supporting Documents information.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Each module is assessed individually by a range of assignments throughout the semester. A selection of these assignments will be group based. Ideally assessment elements and projects will be based on data, topics and situations from the student’s own working life. There are no formal sit down exams.

The course is delivered using a combined approach of distance/online learning materials and face-to-face tutorials and seminars. The online element facilitates the learning in tandem with the distance education, hard-copy materials, and periodic classroom contact.

Students will be required to attend seminars on one Saturday per month on average. Seminars will be held on a rotating basis at NUI Galway and UCC.

Notice: with the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus, we have decided to move classroom-based courses and blended learning seminars to a fully online teaching mode for the academic year 2020/21. The teaching schedule for the 2021/22 academic year will be reviewed over the coming months in line with government restrictions and social distancing guidelines. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of students & staff and our desire to continue to provide upskilling and professional development opportunities for all. If you have any queries regarding the format of online delivery mode, please contact your course administrator for further details.



Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Candidates must have a First or Second Class Honours degree at undergraduate level in any discipline, with three years’ work experience; or an ordinary or third class honours degree with five years’ work experience; or a recognised professional qualification with five years’ work experience.


Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, part-time

Next start date

September

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

Unlimited

Closing Date

25 July 2021

NFQ level

Mode of study

Blended learning

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

1PDV1

Course Outline

Students of the Diploma in Innovation Management will learn about innovation and change and how it affects business operations. They will gain knowledge of new process technologies that contribute to improving operational efficiency and competitiveness in their organisations. The course will address the effective management of new product innovation strategies and identify appropriate business process improvements to facilitate the introduction of such change. The course is delivered in association with University College Cork (UCC).

There are four individual modules and a project to complete (modules = 5 ECTS each; company project = 10 ECTS).

Course modules available for 2020/2021:

  • Managing Innovation (5 ECTS)
  • User Centred Design (5 ECTS)
  • Managing Technology Projects (5 ECTS)
  • Improving Business Processes (5 ECTS)
  • Work-based Project (10 ECTS)
See below for module descriptions.

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.

Year 1 (30 Credits)

Required MG690: In Company Project


15 months long | Credits: 10

The student completes a research/practical project in the area of Technology Commercialisation or Innovation Management. This module gives a student the opportunity to further develop novel technologies that are near-commercialization or start at the very beginning of identifying what needs to be done to get to commercialisation stage. This project may allow you to support research/development in all areas of technology including medical devices, electronics, software, communications, engineering, etc. This project module can give an opportunity to look at innovation projects that are integrated into the business at both strategic and operational levels.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify a suitable project relevant to the area of Innovation, Technology Commercialisation or to a new business/entrepreneurial idea or concept
  2. Specify the scope of the proposed project or study in terms of a project definition, objectives and outcomes
  3. Apply the appropriate tools, methods, techniques and technologies in the development and management of the project related to the course
  4. Make comprehensive recommendations on further work necessary on the project or which would improve the outcome
  5. Publish a project report on the research, methodology, conduct and findings of the project
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module MG690: "In Company Project" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required MG662: Managing Innovation


15 months long | Credits: 5

Innovation is crucial to the creation and development of organisations. Research has shown that the successful management of innovation can yield positive outcomes, yet the process of innovation management can often be misunderstood or poorly incorporated into business practices. This module is an introduction to the building-blocks of innovation management for organisations. It looks at the nature of innovation and examines different types of innovation. It explores the innovation management process from start to finish. The module covers topics such as: sources of new ideas, effective selection and portfolio processes, and the challenge of implementation. These innovation processes operate in a context defined through the interaction of people, technology and organisational goals, or more concisely, the innovation strategy of the company. As part of your learning, you will consider some of the key contemporary issues in innovation management such as the increasing trend towards accessing ideas and expertise from outside the organisation, and the need for organisations to develop capabilities in managing alliances and open innovation mechanisms. The module discusses the growing importance of innovation in services; the role of leadership in supporting innovation performance and the use of formal knowledge management systems to capture and leverage learning. The module is also designed to develop the learners’ understanding of the challenges of achieving an innovative organisation that is efficient at both exploiting current advantages and exploring for new opportunities.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify different kinds of innovation and innovation strategy
  2. Manage the innovation process from generation to selection and implementation
  3. Motivate and organise people for innovation and learning
  4. Apply new organisational forms for innovation
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module MG662: "Managing Innovation" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required MG616: Improving Business Processes


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

When trying to improve a process, one must understand the entire process from start to finish before making any changes. This module provides students with a detailed strategic process to implement the Business Process Management (BPM) discipline within an organisation. The BPM lifecycle is a continuous improvement procedure that can be utilised across all processes. Students will learn how to map a process, AS-IS and TO-BE, identify potential improvements, assess and implement those improvements, and finally monitor the progress by developing key process indicators. Even with so many processes, when a set of well tested steps are followed, there is less duplicated effort, resulting in staff and customers satisfaction.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify the root cause of poor performance within a process
  2. Apply modelling tools and techniques in analysing business processes in an organisation
  3. Demonstrate an independent research in the development and / or application of business process improvement tools and methodologies
  4. Strategically apply improvements to a process
  5. Assess and monitor the quality of improvements by implementing Key Process Indicators (KPI’s)
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module MG616: "Improving Business Processes" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional MG618: User Centred Design


15 months long | Credits: 5

This module cover why and how to put the human user of systems, services and products at the centre of the design process. It explores the user-centered design paradigm from a broad perspective, emphasizing how user research and prototype assessment can be integrated into different phases of the design process. Students learn to think like a user-centered designer and carry out activities that are key to user-centered design. Topics include: Introducing the User Centred Design process; Introducing the Basic Psychology of the User; Introducing Cognition - how we problem solve in completing tasks; Introducing Anthropometrics and ergonomics - how our bodies influence how we can interact with systems and devices; Case studies in User Centred Design of systems, services and products.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Understand and Explain the User Centred Design process
  2. Understand and explain how Psychology, Cognition and Anthropometrics influence how we can interact with systems, services and products
  3. Describe the issues and challenges to achieving a human-centered design process.
  4. Given a problem setting, critically evaluate the appropriateness of potential design methodologies such as contextual design, scenario-based design, participatory, etc.
  5. Gather useful information about users and activities through observation and systematic inquiry.
  6. Use, adapt and extend classic design standards, guidelines, and patterns.
  7. Explain using Case Studies how a User Centred Design produces a positive Use Experience
  8. Create a prototype for a small system and plan and perform a usability evaluation
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module MG618: "User Centred Design" and is valid from 2020 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional IE620: Managing Technology Projects


15 months long | Credits: 5

Projects are becoming an increasingly important part of how all organisations across industry sectors do business. The primary objective of this module is to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to apply project management principles, tools and techniques to deliver value to the organisation. The module will explain the role of the project manager, and provide learners with skills and knowledge to perform this role in dealing with stakeholders’ needs and expectations, developing project plans and executing them in an efficient and effective manner.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Compare and contrast various project management approaches and appreciate the appropriate application of each
  2. Evaluate governance structures, roles and responsibilities designed to support the delivery of value through projects
  3. Identify, and collaborate with, key project stakeholders to elicit their requirements and set project objectives
  4. Organise project information and develop project plans to meet project objectives
  5. Develop frameworks to control projects and monitor performance
  6. Disseminate project information effectively and efficiently to manage stakeholder's needs and expectations
  7. Judge how projects are consistent with the goals and strategies of the organisation
  8. Empathise with the needs of project stakeholders and assess the broader impact of projects on the organisation and beyond
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module IE620: "Managing Technology Projects" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Innovation skills are currently much in demand globally across all sectors. Graduates will have increased opportunities for career progression. Graduates of the course are working in areas such as research and development, production and operations management, as well as in a broad range of manufacturing and service sector enterprises. Students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma with an average grade of 2.1 honours may apply for the MSc in Technology Management with exemptions.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€3,950*

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€4,450

 

*Next Level Skillnet funding (40% fee subsidy) is available for this course, find out more...

Find out More

Niamh Nolan
T: +353 91 493 746
E: niamh.nolan@nuigalway.ie

Helen Buckley
School of Engineering
University College Cork
T: 021 490 2661
E: h.buckley@ucc.ie

www.aua.ie

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