Module Description

The students work one semester on a real business project to develop a new business opportunity focused on the advantages of utility, economy and technique, provided by a Swiss industrial corporation. During the semester, the students benefit from the support of different professors and company advisors.

Questions the students are going to answer:

How well does the prototype meet the requirements? 
What adjustments does the company need to make with regard to series production considerations and the business model?
How can the product be successfully positioned on the market?

Tasks the students will work on:

-        Goal-orientaded development of a project result

-        self-organized learning

-        creation of a prototype

-        implementation and evaluation of prototype tests

-        identify prototype optimization potential

-        plan series production

-        carry out calculations

-        designing a business model

-        presenting the project profitably

Basic Studies in Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

• Presentations in teams and Discussion, duration: 30min + 30min
• Project work
• Written work

1) Objectives 

·        Functional prototype created

·        Tests carried out and recorded

·        Product requirements for series production defined

·        Conceptual considerations for series production regarding product, market, delivery and usability

·        Product and investment calculation created

·        Business model adapted

·        Roadmap, market launch concept developed

2)  Results 

·        Prototype with test protocol

·        Considerations for series production

·        Calculations

·        Business model 2.0

·        Market launch plan

Professional competencies:

Participants can:

·        Component ordering and acceptance

·        Assembly (manual)

·        Creating a test plan with intention and expected results or conclusion

·        Implementation and documentation of changes to plans and prototype

·        Series planning: 

o  Choice of manufacturing processes

o  appropriate adaptation of design and drawings

o  assembly concept and integration

o  detailed business plan with sales and cash flow planning

o  defining business model

Methodological competencies:

Participants can:

·        Multi-project management

·        Create a Business model 

·        Applying Test methods (functionality, usability, etc.)

·        Perform Calculations (project, product)

·        Conceptualize the Market launch

Self-competencies:

Participants can:

·        Optimize time management

·        Coordinate Projects and project phases

·        Overview prototype tests and competently optimize test problems

·        self-organize learning based on a specific task from industry: Building a Prototype based on existing detailed plans

Social competencies:

Participants can:

·        Negotiating with suppliers and internal departments

·        Think and act in a goal-oriented way

·        Interaction and work in an intercultural environment

Topic/learning block I: Analysis 

·        Getting to know the industrial partner

·        Identification of new markets

·        Identification of customer needs

·        Product suggestion

Topic/learning block II: Ideation 

·        Product alternative

·        Alternative suggestion

·        Product decision

Topic/learning block III: Experimentation 

·        Alternative solutions

·        Creation of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

·        Verified alternative

Topic/learning block IV: Prototyping 

·        Creation of a functional prototype

·        Usability tests

Topic/learning block V: Business Development 

·        Manufacturing plan

·        Business plan

·        Final presentation

Theory Inputs

Coaching

Expert talks

Mandatory literature:

·        Project related

Further literature:

·        Project related