Managing Product Platforms: Delivering Variety and Realizing Synergies

MIT Sloan School of Management

Financial Management

About Programme

Why attend Managing Product Platforms?

Companies from Lockheed Martin to GE use product platform strategies to deliver more variety to their customers and compete more effectively. For example, Black and Decker uses shared motors and batteries across a range of power tools. These firms realize quicker new market entry and reduced costs but, to do so, they must orchestrate complex, multi-product development projects.

However, recent research suggests that many firms fail to earn a return on their platform investments. This work has uncovered that many firms face systemic pressure to diverge from their platform sharing. Several cases studied realized less than half of their platform sharing goals. Are these failures the result of a flawed product platform management strategy or poor execution?

This executive business course focuses on helping companies develop strong product platform strategies and execution programs by teaching executives how to understand the managerial levers necessary to operate in complex environments. As a participant in this course, you’ll be exposed to a range of platform strategies, from product platform, to supply chain platform, to industry platforms. The course content draws on case examples from a diversity of industries and includes opportunities for you and your peers to share and discuss industry experience.

Course Topics

Programme Content

Live Online

Day 1

1:30 PM – 1:45 PM

Introduction: Achieving Competitive Advantage

1:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Module 1: Choosing the Right Platform Strategy

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM

Flexible Break

3:15 PM – 4:45 PM

Module 1: Choosing the Right Platform Strategy (continued)

4:45 PM – 5:30 PM

Module 2: Investing in the Platform

Day 2

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Module 2: Investing in the Platform (continued)

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM

Module 3: Designing the Technical Platform

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Flexible Break

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM

Module 3: Designing the Technical Platform (continued)

4:45 PM – 5:30 PM

Module 4: Organizing for Platform Development

Day 3

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Reflection of Days 1 and 2

2:00 PM – 3:15 PM

Module 4: Organizing for Platform Development (continued)

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM

Flexible Break

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Module 5: Utilizing Essential Management Levers

Day 4

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Reflection of Days 1, 2, and 3

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Module 6: From Product to Industry Platforms

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Flexible Break

3:45 PM – 5:15 PM

Module 6: From Product to Industry Platforms (continued)

5:15 PM – 5:30 PM

Closing and Feedback

Download Full Course Schedule

Programme Objective

Course Experience

This product platform management course introduces participants to the concept of product platforms, also known as "commonality"—the sharing of components, processes, technologies, interfaces and/or infrastructure across a product family. Successful product platform management software allows companies to develop better products more easily, improve product family planning and lifecycle management, and increase corporate profitability. Learn how you can develop a strong platform strategy that will deliver ROI for your organization.

The course teaches product platform management through a combination of lectures, case studies, breakout sessions, and group problem solving. Case studies covered in the course include GE Healthcare, Lockheed Martin, DG Flugzeubau, Siemens Rail, Joint Strike Fighter, and Google. Topics covered include the strategic marketing of product families, financial evaluation of platform proposals, building incentives for distributed platform execution, structuring development programs, and supply chain platforms.

As part of the live online session, you will also be offered the opportunity to schedule a private 15-minute consulting session with faculty member Bruce Cameron to discuss any individual issues or concerns facing your organization.

Programme Benefits

Strategies

Exposes participants to a range of strategies, from product platforms, to supply chain platforms, to industry platforms

New Concepts

Introduces the concept of product platforms or “commonality"—the sharing of components, processes, technologies, interfaces and/or infrastructure across a product family

1:1 Coaching

Private, 15-minute consulting session with MIT faculty member Bruce Cameron

Certificate

Confers a certificate of completion from the MIT Sloan School of Management in the Technology and Operations Executive Certicate track

Testimonials

"This course provided a clear and practical understanding of managing products and platforms. The use of real company scenarios was engaging, and the facilitator's expertise made the sessions insightful and relevant to my career. Highly recommended!"

Jasper N

"Thought provoking, informative and fun experience. Professor Cameron is very engaging and fellow learners very inquisitive."

Matthew C

"Excellent material. Very well presented."

Benny C

"I'm definitely satisfied with this course: it's complete, full of practical tools, examples, theory. The sessions are dynamic and breakout sessions let you handle course material"

Alexandre Q

"MIT's Managing Product Platforms program exceeded my expectations with its blend of theory, practical insights, and real-world case studies. The expert faculty and interactive sessions provided valuable strategies for managing complex ecosystems and driving innovation. Highly recommended for professionals looking to master platform-driven business models."

Sanjay K

"This is hands down one of the best courses I have attended in MIT catalog so far. Starting with the content, coordination, delivery and the usual great cohort, all boxes were checked. Key differentiator for me in this course was the pragmatic approach to view Platforms, thought provoking case studies and discussions with Bruce during the sessions. Bruce has worked with several industries and that unique perspective enriched with academic knowledge is the experience you dont want to miss."

Himanshu T

"The course Managing Product Platforms was very mind stimulating. Deep diving into multiple high level international case studies. Recommended"

Thomas Ryan Q

"Excellent course. The structure of the course and delivery of the course , both are very well designed. Prof. Bruce Cameron is very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this course to anyone Who want to learn about platform business and technology."

Srikar Reddy K

"The exercises were helpful and the instructor delivered the material very well. He was also very inclusive and respectful, encouraging good participation. Some of the group exercises could have had better instructions to minimize time lost in figuring out minute details of how to use the information provided or the spreadsheet. Still, the exercises helped in understanding the material and were well structured otherwise."

Sreekanth I

"This course challenged my traditional view of platforms and the products that are best suited for utilizing a platform approach. The course took a detailed view at case studies on the management and pitfalls of product platforms from various industries. Overall, this is a course I would recommend to managers and leaders of organizations looking to gain better skills in optimizing their approaches to product lines and potential product platforms."

Joe Dan W

Testimonial Source

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Pedagogy (case method, experiential learning, coaching, simulations)
Target Audience
Contact Person Details

Prashansa Uttam

Programme Advisor

+91 9403890085[email protected]Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm IST

MIT Sloan School of Management

Executive Education Office

https://mitsloan.mit.edu

Cambridge, USA

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