Leading Design Teams

This class teaches students how to be an effective design team leader using the construct of a multifunction new product development (NPD) team and conceptually places students as the leader of a NPD team - the Product Manager. Topics include leadership self-awareness, a review of various leadership styles and skills in diagnosing team dynamics. The understanding and motivation of non-design engineering members of an NPD team (i.e., Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR) will be explored. Classroom activity will include interactive discussion of case studies, hands-on practice of skills, simulations, outside speakers and team presentations. Homework will include case study and source material reading, weekly reflection journals and outside research. A summary presentation of a leadership exemplar will serve as the final exam.