Innovation & R&D Management Systems

Contact hours: 50

Case studies & simulations: 40

Applied project / capstone: 80

Self-study & reading: 80

Course Description

This program focuses on managing R&D and innovation as a disciplined system rather than an ad-hoc activity. Participants learn to structure innovation portfolios, govern R&D investments, manage scale-up risks, and link technology development to commercial strategy. Topics include stage-gate systems, resource allocation, IP strategy, and cross-functional collaboration between R&D, manufacturing, and marketing. Through case studies, learners analyze successes and failures in industrial innovation and technology commercialization. The certificate equips leaders to design innovation systems that balance exploration and execution, accelerate time-to-market, and deliver sustainable competitive advantage.

Learning Outcomes (LOs)

On successful completion, learners will be able to:

• Design R&D strategies aligned with business and market needs
• Manage lab-to-plant scale-up and technology transfer
• Evaluate R&D portfolios using risk-return frameworks
• Integrate IP, regulatory, and sustainability considerations in R&D
• Lead multidisciplinary R&D teams and external collaborations
• Translate R&D outputs into commercial and operational success

Module Structure (10 ECTS)

Module 1: Role of R&D in Chemical Manufacturing (1.5 ECTS)

• Evolution of industrial R&D models
• Product vs process innovation
• R&D maturity models in chemical companies
• In-house vs outsourced R&D
• Case: Specialty chemicals vs commodity chemicals R&D models

Module 2: R&D Strategy & Portfolio Management (2 ECTS)

• R&D strategy alignment with business strategy
• Technology roadmapping
• Stage-gate & agile R&D models
• Portfolio balancing: incremental vs breakthrough innovation
• Tool: R&D portfolio risk-return matrix

Module 3: Scale-Up & Technology Transfer (2 ECTS)

• Lab → pilot → commercial scale challenges
• Process robustness & reproducibility
• Tech transfer documentation
• Collaboration between R&D, engineering & operations
• Case: Failed scale-ups in fine chemicals

Module 4: Intellectual Property & Regulatory Landscape (1.5 ECTS)

• Patents, trade secrets, freedom-to-operate
• IP valuation and monetization
• Regulatory impact on R&D (REACH, FDA, CDSCO, EPA)
• Data integrity and compliance in R&D labs

Module 5: Sustainable & Green R&D (1.5 ECTS)

• Green chemistry principles
• Lifecycle assessment in R&D
• ESG-driven innovation
• Decarbonization through process innovation

Module 6: R&D Leadership & Collaboration (1.5 ECTS)

• Leading scientists and engineers
• Academia-industry collaboration
• Open innovation models
• Managing CROs, universities, startups

Assessment Strategy

• Case analysis (20%)
• R&D strategy assignment (20%)
• Group project: R&D portfolio design (30%)
• Final applied project: R&D commercialization plan (30%)

Mapping

Standalone: PG Certificate in R&D Management

Stackable: PG Diploma / Techno-Commercial MBA

Career Roles: R&D Manager, Innovation Head, Technology Director