Projeto de Produtos e Serviços

Teaching Methodologies

The course “Product and Service Design” uses a student-centered approach that combines theoretical instruction, hands-on learning, and collaborative project development. The methodology includes: (i) systematic presentation of content with a focus on practical application; (ii) discussion and critical analysis of group projects.
Each session typically includes two hours of lectures covering concepts and tools, using slides, supporting documents, and real examples, followed by two hours of group work. The instructor monitors each team, clarifies doubts, guides design decisions, and encourages critical reflection. Groups of five to six students, coordinated by a group manager, ensure a balanced distribution of tasks. Each student develops one chapter of the project, while another documents the work, ensuring that at least two people fully understand each component.
The methodology promotes essential skills such as teamwork, communication, project management, creativity, and the practical application of engineering and product design concepts. Collaborative work allows students to experience the full product and service development cycle-from identifying needs and defining specifications to generating, selecting, and testing concepts, including planning and financial analysis.
Assessment is fully integrated into the methodology: (i) participation and performance in group discussions; (ii) interim presentations with continuous feedback; (iii) a structured final report; (iv) a final presentation evaluating clarity and communication skills. This combination assesses technical knowledge, critical analysis, decision-making, and teamwork.
The alignment of theory, practice, and assessment promotes structured learning, autonomy, and critical thinking, preparing students to work effectively in the development and management of products and services.

Learning Results

Enable students to: a) Develop strategies for planning and managing product and service portfolios; b) Identify customer needs and expectations; c) Define functional, technical, and quality specifications; d) Generate, select, and test innovative concepts using appropriate methodologies; e) Apply principles of robust design, including Taguchi Methods, to enhance product reliability and performance; f) Economically evaluate product feasibility through financial analysis; g) Consider sustainability, ergonomics, and environmental impact factors; and h) Plan prototyping and testing, ensuring the integration of creativity, engineering, and business strategy.

Program

1. Consumer Behavior: analysis of needs, expectations, and preferences;
2. Product and Service Portfolio Development and Management Processes;
3. Product Planning: timing, roadmap, and launch strategies;
4. Identification of Customer Needs: market research tools;
5. Product Specifications: functional, technical, and quality requirements;
6. Concept Generation and Selection: ideation, innovation, and prioritization techniques;
7. Concept Testing: validation with customers or through simulations;
8. Robust Design via Taguchi Methods: experimental design to ensure reliability and performance;
9. Project Financial Analysis: evaluation of production costs, marketing, ramp-up, sales projections, and profitability indicators.

Curricular Unit Teachers

Belmiro Pereira Mota Duarte

Grading Methods

Continuous assessment
  • - Project - 100.0%

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

– Ulrich, K.T., Eppinger, S.D. Product Design and Development, 4th Ed, McGraw-Hill (2008)
– Otto, K., Wood, K. Product Design – Techniques in Reverse Engineering and New Product Development, Prentice Hall (2001)
– Rosenau Jr., M.D. The PDMA Handbook of New Product Development, John Willey & Sons (1996)
– Pires, A.R. Inovação e Desenvolvimento de Novos Produtos, Edições Sílabo (1999)
– Mitra, A. Fundamentals of Quality Control and Improvement, 3rd Ed, Willey (2012)
– Kotler, P., Keller, K. L., Administração de Marketing, 12ª.Ed, Pearson (2006)
– Malhotra, N., Pesquisa de Marketing: Uma Orientação Aplicada, 6ª Ed, Bookman (2012)
– Taguchi, G., Elsayed, E.A, Hsiang, T., Quality Engineering in Production Systems, McGraw-Hill (1989)
– Ramanujam, M., Tacke, G. Monetizing innovation, Wiley (2016)
– Fowlkes, W.Y., Creveling, C.M. Engineering Methods for Robust Product Design, Addison-Wesley (1995)
– Urban, G.L., Hauser, J.R. Design and Marketing of New Products, 2nd Ed, Prentice Hall (1993)