Certificate Program: Tools and Methods of Product Development
This certificate program combines three complementary short courses in a structured learning path.
Participants who successfully complete the Certificate Program and pass the final examination receive the corresponding ECTS credits. These credits are fully recognized as one module within the HECTOR School Master of Science program.
Participants build a broad understanding of tools and methods of product development, covering supplier management, quality management, and practice-oriented project work in documentation and reflection. The program further explores how supplier collaboration, quality systems, and rigorous project governance interact to enable reliable, compliant, and efficient product development from concept to industrialization.
General Information
| Date | Oct 26 - Nov 6, 2026 |
| Duration | 10 days |
| Location | On campus - Karlsruhe |
| Language | English |
| ECTS | 6 |
| Cost | 3,950€ |
Further questions?
Martina Waldner
Senior Program Consultant
info∂hectorschool.kit.edu
+49 721 608 47880
Program Structure
This certificate program combines three complementary short courses in a structured learning path.
Participants build a broad understanding of tools and methods of product development, covering supplier management, quality management, and project work in documentation and reflection. The program further explores how supplier collaboration, quality assurance systems, and rigorous project governance interact to enable reliable, compliant, and efficient product development from concept to industrialization.
Supplier Management
Introduction to Supplier Management, covering core concepts of strategic sourcing, supplier evaluation and development, and approaches for risk management, contracting, and performance monitoring to build resilient, cost-effective, and quality-driven supply networks.
| Date | Oct 26 - 28, 2026 |
| Duration | 2,5 days |
Quality Management
Introduction to Quality Management, covering core concepts of quality planning and assurance, process control and continuous improvement, and approaches for implementing standards, audits, and corrective actions to ensure reliable, compliant, and customer-focused products and services.
| Date | Oct 28 - 30, 2026 |
| Duration | 2,5 days |
Project Work III: 2DR Documentation, Reflection Theory and Practice
Introduction to Project Work III: 2DR Documentation, Reflection, Theory, and Practice, covering core concepts of systematic project documentation, critical reflection methods, and approaches to bridging theoretical frameworks with practical execution to deliver transparent, traceable, and improvement-oriented project outcomes.
| Date | Nov 2 - 6, 2026 |
| Duration | 5 days |
Who should attend
This certificate program is designed for professionals seeking a concise introduction to tools and methods of product development, focusing on supplier management, quality management, and practice-oriented project work.
- Product development and automotive engineers
Strengthen process reliability, supplier collaboration, and quality. - Quality managers and QA/QC specialists
Build and audit quality systems, drive continuous improvement. - Supplier managers and procurement professionals
Manage sourcing, supplier evaluation, risk, and performance. - Project managers and R&D team leads
Coordinate cross-functional projects, documentation, and reflection. - Process and operations engineers
Optimize development/production processes and ensure compliance. - Technology consultants and transformation leaders
Mature PD processes, supplier ecosystems, and quality frameworks. - Researchers and early-career academics
Apply state-of-the-art PD methods in practical contexts.
Ready to join the full certificate program?
Book the complete program to benefit from a coherent learning journey across all three certificate courses.