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.