Lesson Plan

• Describe why businesses develop new products.
• Identify at least three advantages and three disadvantages of new product development.
• Analyse how market research and cost‑benefit analysis influence launch decisions.
• Evaluate potential risks such as cannibalisation and regulatory issues.
• Apply the product‑development process to a brief case study.

• Projector and laptop
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed handout with advantage/disadvantage table
• Worksheet containing a case‑study scenario
• Sticky notes for group brainstorming
• Exit‑ticket slips

Start with a quick think‑pair‑share: “What is the newest product you have bought and why do you think the company launched it?” Connect this to prior knowledge of product life‑cycle stages and explain that today’s focus is on the strategic reasons behind new‑product development. Success criteria: students will list key advantages and disadvantages and justify a launch decision.

1. Do‑now (5’) – Students write the product they mentioned and one reason for its launch.
2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Teacher presents why firms develop new products and outlines the main advantages and disadvantages.
3. Guided analysis (15’) – In pairs, learners fill a two‑column table (advantages vs. disadvantages) using the handout.
4. Case‑study activity (15’) – Groups assess a fictional company’s new‑product proposal using a checklist (market research, cost‑benefit, risks).
5. Whole‑class debrief (10’) – Groups share findings; teacher clarifies misconceptions.
6. Exit ticket (5’) – Each student writes one advantage and one disadvantage with a brief justification.

Summarise that successful new‑product development balances potential profit gains with cost, risk and market acceptance. Collect exit tickets and remind students to research a recent product launch for homework, preparing a short report on its advantages, disadvantages and overall viability.