New Product Development (npd) Project Management Training Course For Engineers

Introduction

In today's rapidly evolving markets, successful New Product Development (NPD) is the lifeblood of innovation and growth for engineering-driven organizations. This essential training course is meticulously designed to equip engineering professionals, project managers, and R&D leaders with the specialized skills and strategic insights required to manage complex NPD projects from conception to launch. Participants will gain a robust understanding of the NPD lifecycle, learn to implement effective ideation, design, prototyping, and commercialization strategies, all while navigating technical challenges and market demands. Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on application, best practices, and real-world scenarios pertinent to the dynamic industrial and manufacturing sectors in Kenya, empowering you to bring groundbreaking products to market efficiently and effectively.

This engineering NPD project management course is crucial for companies in Kenya striving for competitive advantage and sustainable innovation in diverse sectors like manufacturing, technology, and consumer goods. Mastering product innovation management and understanding R&D project execution are indispensable skills for accelerating time-to-market, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring product-market fit. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your expertise in product lifecycle management for engineers and design thinking for new products, positioning your organization as a leader in creating value and driving economic growth across East Africa.

Target Audience

• R&D Engineers and Managers
• Product Development Managers
• Engineering Project Managers
• Innovation Leads
• Product Owners
• Technical Leads
• Marketing Managers (involved in product strategy)

Course Objectives

• Understand the complete New Product Development (NPD) lifecycle from ideation to launch.
• Master effective strategies for idea generation, screening, and concept development.
• Apply design thinking principles to engineering product development.
• Develop robust project plans for NPD initiatives, including scope, schedule, and budget.
• Learn techniques for managing technical risks and uncertainties in NPD projects.
• Implement effective prototyping, testing, and validation strategies.
• Understand the importance of market analysis and customer requirements in NPD.
• Develop strategies for intellectual property protection in product development.
• Enhance cross-functional team collaboration in an NPD environment.
• Apply agile methodologies adapted for new product development.
• Understand the commercialization process and market launch strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement in NPD processes and product portfolios.
• Foster a culture of innovation and creativity within engineering teams.

DURATION

10 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Introduction to New Product Development (NPD) module

• Defining New Product Development (NPD) and its importance
• Stages of the NPD lifecycle: ideation to commercialization
• Strategic alignment of NPD with business goals
• Key success factors and common pitfalls in NPD
• Role of project management in successful NPD

Module 2: Ideation and Concept Development module

• Techniques for creative idea generation (e.g., brainstorming, design sprints)
• Idea screening and preliminary evaluation
• Concept development and definition
• Customer needs analysis and voice of the customer (VoC)
• Developing compelling product concepts

Module 3: Product Design and Engineering module

• Design thinking principles applied to product development
• Engineering design processes and methodologies
• Requirements translation into design specifications
• Design for X (e.g., manufacturability, assembly, serviceability)
• Prototyping strategies and rapid iteration

Module 4: NPD Project Planning and Management module

• Developing a comprehensive NPD project plan
• Defining scope, schedule, and budget for new products
• Resource planning and allocation for NPD teams
• Risk management specific to new product development
• Building and leading cross-functional NPD teams

Module 5: Testing, Validation, and Verification module

• Designing effective testing protocols for new products
• User acceptance testing (UAT) and market validation
• Alpha and Beta testing strategies
• Regulatory compliance and certification processes
• Quality assurance and reliability engineering for new products

Module 6: Intellectual Property (IP) and Legal Considerations module

• Understanding intellectual property: patents, trademarks, copyrights
• Strategies for protecting new product innovations
• Freedom-to-operate analysis and avoiding infringement
• Licensing and technology transfer agreements
• Legal and ethical considerations in product development

Module 7: Commercialization and Market Launch module

• Developing a go-to-market strategy for new products
• Marketing and sales planning for product launch
• Supply chain setup and manufacturing scale-up considerations
• Post-launch monitoring and performance measurement
• Product lifecycle management (PLM) strategies

Module 8: Agile NPD and Innovation Culture module

• Applying agile methodologies to new product development
• Lean startup principles for product iteration
• Fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation
• Managing innovation portfolios
• Continuous improvement in the NPD process

Module 9: Advanced Topics and Future Trends in NPD module

• Open innovation and crowdsourcing for product ideas
• The impact of AI and machine learning on NPD
• Sustainable product design and circular economy principles
• Digital twins and simulation in product development
• Future outlook for NPD in the global market and Kenya

Module 10: Case Studies and Practical Application module

• Analyzing successful and failed NPD case studies
• Hands-on exercises in product concept development
• Developing a mini-NPD project plan
• Utilizing NPD project management tools and software (overview)
• Q&A and expert insights on specific NPD challenges in Africa

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.