Continuously improving business processes is of increasing importance for companies competing in today’s global markets. For society, there is a strong need to sustain work opportunities by realising and utilising the potential in existing businesses. Companies need to compete both by bringing new products to the market and by improving existing products and processes. These two aspects constitute the rationale underlying this master’s programme.
Aimed at improving the processes through which new and existing products and services are developed and delivered, we now witness a strong upsurge in the industry’s interest in improvement techniques and philosophies. Examples are Six Sigma, Lean Production and Lean Product Development. Many industrial companies and public organizations are using improvement programmes based on these or similar ideas. Success in these programmes requires a change in mindset together with organisational transformations. Engineers equipped with the knowledge and competence required for leading quality driven change processes and business improvement are therefore crucial.