Course Highlights

• Delivered in our live online format enabling real-time interaction with faculty and global peers
• Introduces the concept of product platforms or “commonality"—the sharing of components, processes, technologies, interfaces and/or infrastructure across a product family
• Exposes participants to a range of strategies, from product platforms, to supply chain platforms, to industry platforms
• Offers private, 15-minute consulting sessions with faculty member Bruce Cameron
• Confers a certificate of course completion from the MIT Sloan School of Management

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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 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.

Learn more about the live online experience.   

Applying to the course

We accept enrollments until the offering reaches capacity, at which point we will maintain a waitlist. Many of the courses fill up several weeks in advance, so we advise that you enroll as early as possible to secure your seat.

You can begin the application process by using the red 'Enroll Now' bar at the bottom of the screen.

Have questions?

Contact us if you would like to speak with a program director or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common questions about our courses.