Innovation Management (PDip)

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Glossary of Terms

Year 1 (30 Credits)

Required MG690: In Company Project

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

• Department-based Assessment (100%)

Module Director

• NIAMH NOLAN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• AISLING MONAHAN:  Research Profile
• SUZANNE GOLDEN:  Research Profile
• NIAMH NOLAN:  Research Profile

Required MG662: Managing Innovation

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

• Department-based Assessment (100%)

Module Director

• NIAMH NOLAN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• AISLING MONAHAN:  Research Profile
• SUZANNE GOLDEN:  Research Profile
• NIAMH NOLAN:  Research Profile

Required MG616: Improving Business Processes

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

• Department-based Assessment (100%)

Module Director

• Akari Akari: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• AISLING MONAHAN:  Research Profile
• NIAMH NOLAN:  Research Profile

Required IE620: Managing Technology Projects

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

• Department-based Assessment (100%)

Module Director

• NIAMH NOLAN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• AISLING MONAHAN:  Research Profile
• SUZANNE GOLDEN:  Research Profile
• NIAMH NOLAN:  Research Profile

Optional MG618: User Centred Design

MG618: User Centred Design

Semester 1 | 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

• Department-based Assessment (100%)

Module Director

• NIAMH NOLAN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• SUZANNE GOLDEN:  Research Profile

Optional IE651: Product Design and Development

IE651: Product Design and Development

15 months long | Credits: 5

This module gives an introduction to New Product (New Service) Development techniques and tools commonly used by innovative companies that successfully earn a significant proportion of their revenues from recently launched new products or services. Topics covered include: NPD processes and Organisations, Opportunity Identification, Product Planning, New Product Ideas – End User Needs, Product Specifications, Product Concept Generation, Concept Selection and Testing, Product Architecture and Industrial Design, DFE, DFM, Prototyping & Robust Product Design.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the concepts of new product development (NPD) and New Service Development (NSD)
2. Understand the management processes commonly employed to design and develop new products and services
3. Gain a knowledge of each stage of the NPD process within an organisation from ideation, through to commercialisation
4. Provide an overview of the product development organisation and the environment in which new products are developed
5. Understand NPD trends and tools used by Product Developers
6. Gain an understanding of the critical success factors in the NPD process

Assessments

• Department-based Assessment (100%)

Module Director

• NIAMH NOLAN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• AISLING MONAHAN:  Research Profile
• SUZANNE GOLDEN:  Research Profile
• NIAMH NOLAN:  Research Profile