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UCL Centre for Systems Engineering

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Technology Strategy

Content

For millions of years, technology has had a key role in defining human evolution. Today, technology continues to shape modern society, influencing the way we live and interact through television, smart-phones, networked computers and social media.

The extent to which individuals, organisations and society as a whole has come to depend on technology will be explored, with an introduction to the idea of technological risk, which will be developed more fully in the Risk, Reliability, Resilience module.

In this module, the process by which new technology is developed and acquired will be explored. Why are some technologies adopted faster than others? Why do some technologies fail to penetrate the mass market? Can we measure the maturity of technology, and what is the role of technology maturity in shaping adoption? 

Intellectual property rights and the process by which new ideas are turned into new technology products are examined.

Chips

Skills

Technology must be developed in the face of major uncertainty. Students will learn to make decisions despite this uncertainty by using key tools such as scenario planning and technology roadmapping.

Students will learn to apply critical skills, including:

  • Working effectively in small teams
  • Analyzing data to extract key information
  • Presenting results
  • Decision-making, applying systems and strategic thinking

Teaching mode

The module usually runs annually and is taught through a mixture of lectures, interactive discussions and group exercises which facilitate networking among peers.

Accreditation

This module is 15 credits. It is a core module on the MSc Technology Management and an optional module on the MSc Systems Engineering Management and the MSc Management of Complex Projects.