Strategies and Tools for Industry 4.0

A.Y. 2025/2026
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
SECS-P/08
Language
English
Learning objectives
Industry 4.0 is a frame for the application of different digital technologies (e.g. Internet of things, machine learning and robotics) that can significantly modify or disrupt several industrial and service sectors. The course aims at providing students with a comprehensive understanding of Industry 4.0 objectives, framework and methodologies to face the complexity of implementing an Industry 4.0 strategy (decision making, problem solving, project management, change management) and its disruptive potential (automation, breakthrough in process management, new products/business models, etc.). To get this goal, the course will deep dive the main digital technologies that are state of the art in Industry 4.0, through business cases that will clarify the benefits, but also the risk and the complexity of their full implementation in the real-life context. To this purpose, a focus will be on the "human side" of Industry 4.0 that remains the key success factor: new skills, new ways of working, new organizational setup. The educational objectives will be pursued with constant exchange and critical discussion with and among the students, with a fact-based approach and taking advantage of individual and group activities.
Expected learning outcomes
The main expected result for the participants in the course is the practical learning on how to effectively approach an Industry 4.0 project or becoming a contributing innovator in a company with a strategic roadmap to Industry 4.0. Students will be able to frame the complexity of Industry 4.0, selecting the different opportunities behind the disruptive digital technologies, identifying the main objectives of their application and setting the main risks to be considered in approaching an Industry 4.0 change. Additionally, students will learn what are the skills to be further deepen to increase expertise in applying Industry 4.0 principles.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The Industry 4.0 vision
- A Conceptual Framework for Industry 4.0
- Overview of supportive Technologies
Smart technology framework for Industry 4.0 and applications
- Data Analytics
- Digital Traceability
Smart technology framework for Industry 4.0 and applications
- Robotics
- Augmented Reality
Smart technology framework for Industry 4.0 and applications
- Additive Manufacturing Technologies
- Virtual Factory and simulation
Strategies and tools for Industry 4.0
- Maturity and Readiness Model
- Technology Roadmap
Strategies and tools for Industry 4.0
- I40 Business model archetypes
- Smart and Connected Product Business Models
- Internet of Things and New Value Propositions
Strategies and tools for Industry 4.0
- Project Portfolio Selection
- Project management for Industry 4.0
Strategies and tools for Industry 4.0
- Lean Production Systems for Industry 4.0
- Skills 4.0: Talent Development for Industry 4.0
Project management workshop
- Teamworking exercise to experience what learned
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge and principles of general management, strategic management, innovation
Teaching methods
Industry 4.0 can only be understood through analysis of concrete cases and continuous critical thinking, driven by open questions. Today we already live in a 4.0 lifestyle, so the course will try to be a collaborative experience, taking advantage of available collaboration tools. Interactivity and collaboration are part of the students' engagement including prompt feedback and effectiveness evaluation of the course. Industry 4.0 experts from key companies will join us sharing experiences and results of Industry 4.0 projects. Teamworking is also a key pedagogic approach and a collaborative workshop is planned.
Teaching Resources
1) Handbook: Ustundag, A., & Cevikcan, E. (2018). Industry 4.0: managing the digital transformation (p. 286). Cham: Springer.
2) Slides and materials provided by the lecturer
Assessment methods and Criteria
1) individual written exam at the end of the course
2) intermediate and final pitches in front of the class during the whole course
3) teamworking activities on a company-based project
SECS-P/08 - MANAGEMENT - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor: Zollo Lamberto
Professor(s)
Reception:
Send an email to arrange a meeting.