Fall 2009  Update!

• In Fall 2009, ETM and the Marketing Area of the Business School continue their collaboration to offer students from both graduate schools the opportunity to work together and explore the "Fuzzy Front End" from a perspective that integrates Marketing and Engineering Management concepts. Here is the Syllabus for the joint course!
• The class will take place in SBA 160, 17:40-21:10 (09/21/09)
• The course will be supported through Blackboard - register early and make sure you have an "ODIN" account!
• Required books and course materials are described in the syllabus. 

About "Front End Management for New Product Development" (EMGT 510/610 FEM)

• Usually taught in Fall
• Combination with "New Product Development" gives great overview on product planning and development

Description

The very early phases of new product development – ideation, concept development and concept evaluation - are often referred to as the “fuzzy front end” of innovation because they involve ill-structured decisions under great uncertainty. Though it is widely accepted that the front end is vital for product success, many managers rely on “gut feel” rather than analytic decision making and even doubt that the front end can be managed at all. This course takes a different viewpoint and introduces students to the various questions managers face in early product development, as well as to systematic approaches to dealing with them. Topics covered include (among others): Identification of market needs and technology potentials, detection and exploitation of idea sources, early stage assessment of ideas and product concepts, and successful management styles in the fuzzy front end.

View Syllabus