Talent Development Programs
Robust design is the discipline of reducing sensitivity towards variation. Having a robust design will generally allow a company to improve cost and performance of products as well as having a more controlled product development process with bigger predictability. Robustness is achieved by looking into disciplines like kinematics, structure calculations, DFM, DFA and tolerances.
The robust design training aims to educate and support companies in both learning the methods and implementing them.

Better Products via Design
Robust Design uses methods and tools that help engineers and designers to make better products via a systematic approach to product development. Robust Design seeks to quantify design quality on both new and existing products and systems
For Designer, Manager & Organization
Robust Design is for a variety of professionals ranging from:
- The designer who wants to make better products
- The manager who wants to have a better control over the timeline
- The organization that wants better product quality or lower cost
Modular setup
The Robus Design program is divided into three parts:
- Introduction: Basic ideas and implications
- Fundamentals: Learning how to implement the basics
- Advanced: Learning how to apply all the methods to full
Modular setup of courses
The training programs are setup by introductory courses; "Introduction" & "Fundamentals". From here development paths can be tailored for designers, sustainable designers and chief engineers.
Courses are hosted via MS Teams (online) or physically for larger groups.

“Introduction” is a prerequisite for “Fundamentals”.
“Fundamentals” is a prerequisite for the “Robust Toolbox”.
“Robust Toolbox” is based on a modular setup – pick and choose relevant courses.
“Application” courses are role-tailored and focus is to sustain and apply knowhow from the robust toolbox in actual context to ensure that learnings are sustained. Some Toolbox courses are prerequisites/a part of the application package.
“Certification” can be obtained after “Application” – by proof of application of the robust design knowhow.
Development Levels
Design Introduction
The Robust Design Introductions course is a prerequisite for the Robust Design Fundamentals Course.
Objectives
After course completion the participant will be able to:- Understand the methods of Robust Design
- Understand which benefits that come with implementing the method
- Understand how predictability ties into product development time, cost and quality
Participants
The course is directed towards everyone who is affected by the implementation of robust design in the organization:- Designer
- Projectmanager
- Technical management
- QA
- Production
Approach
Online training conducted via MS Teams Language: English – Possibility of Danish and German support in group work on request before course initiation. Lectures and group work are supported by quizzes and polls. Duration: two sessions of approximately 4 hoursDesign Fundamentals
In the Robust Design Fundamentals, the participant gets a solid introduction to the tools used in Robust Design. The participant will be able to apply the tools and be able to analyze and improve an interface with regard to robustness as well as understand the implications the interface has to the rest of the design.
The Robust Design Introductions course is a prerequisite for the Robust Design Fundamentals Course
Objectives
After course completion the participant will be able to:
- Assess robustness of existing products as a baseline
- Design new products with robustness in mind
- Quantify improvement in robustness
Participants
The course is primarily aimed at employees that are designing products, and production systems:
- Design engineers
- Lead/chief engineers
- R&D engineers
Secondarily employees involved in QA or more general trouble shooting positions
Approach
Online training conducted via MS Teams
Language: English – Possibility of Danish and German support in group work on request before course initiation
Lectures and group work on own products supported by quizzes and polls
Duration: Four sessions of approximately 3-4 hours
Follow-up session with the examination at a later date.
"Great introduction to a different approach on designing. It feels like a new tool in the workshop!"
Mechanical Design Engineer, Arjo
Introduction & Fundamentals Courses
Overall satisfaction with the course
4.5 / 5
Overall satisfaction with the course
4.4 / 5
Robust Toolbox
Modular courses of robust design – each with focus on a specific robust design discipline.
- Online training conducted via MS Teams
- Language: English – Possibility of Danish and German support in group work on request before course initiation
- Lectures and group work on own products supported by quizzes and polls
- Duration: 2-4 days of of approximately 3-4 hours sessions
M1: Kinematics Pro
Duration: 5 days of 4 hours + homework.
Topics:
- Mechanism and structure
- Sub-systems & static systems
- Workflow & link to one-pagers
- Handling flexible joints
- Handling over-constraints
- Handling flexible features
- Project Tracking
- Module development
- Black boxed systems
- Advanced systems
- Checking for valid solutions
- Communication & team setting
- Reporting and stage gates considerations
M2: Tolerance Basics
Duration: 2 days of 4 hours + homework.
Topics:
- Variation management basics
- IT grades
- Clearance
- TG grades
- Basic stack-ups
- Intermediate stack-ups
- RSS vs. WC
- Production capabilities
- Workflows & best practices
- Feedback loops
M3: Tolerance Master
Duration: 3 days of 4 hours + homework.
Topics:
- Tolerance chains identification
- Linear tolerance chain parameter setting/notations and rules of thumb
- Worst case scenarios
- RSS
- Statistical variation
- Troubleshooting – how to improve
- Setup of complex tolerance chains
- Parameter list
- Workflows (P-inspect and other software)
- Handling geometrical operators
- Handling of many chains / mechanical lead overview
- Link to functions / IO-functions / transfer functions / calculation models
- GD&T Basics
- Datum settings
- Modifiers
- TED
M4: Feasibility Studies
Duration: 2 days of 4 hours + homework.
Topics:
- Basics
- Most common calculations
- Design driver theory
- Guiding calculations
- Verification triangle: Calculation – Simulation – Testing workflow
- Exercises
- Communication & progress metric
M5: Transfer Functions
Duration: 3 days of 4 hours + homework.
Topics:
- Basic intro
- Describe a function
- Sensitivity calculation
- Design for lower sensitivity
- Communicate sensitivity
- Documentation best practices
- Monte Carlo simulations
- Target setting
- Link to tolerance chains
- Performance evaluation
- Reporting into “Function Index”
- Workflow & the great overview
M6: Handling of over constraints
Duration: 3 days of 4 hours + homework.
Topics:
- Basic intro
- Describe a function
- Sensitivity calculation
- Design for lower sensitivity
- Communicate sensitivity
- Documentation best practices
- Monte Carlo simulations
- Target setting
- Link to tolerance chains
- Performance evaluation
- Reporting into “Function Index”
- Workflow & the great overview
M7: Part Strength & Product Structure
Duration: 2 days of 4 hours + homework.
Topics:
- Basics
- Most common calculations
- Design driver theory
- Guiding calculations
- Verification triangle: Calculation – Simulation – Testing workflow
- Exercises
- Communication & progress metric
Toolbox
Per participant per day (4 hours)
Application & Certification
Application & certification in the robust design toolbox.
The Robust Design Fundamentals is a prerequisite for participating in the Robust Design Advanced course.
Some of the robust toolbox courses is a prerequisite as well.
Objectives
After course completion the participant will be able to:
- Use Robust Design tools to lead technical projects
- Secure robustness on product level by Robustness KPI tracking
- Implement and guide on good design practices that will secure good solutions
Participants
The course is aimed at the technical specialists that work with products on a deep technical level and works with the product architecture
Approach
Online training conducted via MS Teams
Language: English – Possibility of Dansih and German support in group work on request before course initiation
Lectures and group work on own products supported by quizzes and polls
Duration: tailored timelines to ensure support and application on actual projects.
Certification based on project results and final presentation.
Duration: two sessions of approximately 4 hours
Robust Designer
Duration: 2 days of 4 hours + homework. Hereafter regular sparring (8 check-ins of 1 hour) on project to ensure application at different project stages.
Prerequisites: Kinematics Pro (M1) + Tolerance Basics (M2) (included in package price)
Topics:
- Starting from scratch
- Application of Robust Design toolbox
- Setup of systems
- Setting project assumption and start guesses
- Link to product requirements
- Planning (review of timeline and activities)
- Creation of work packages for technical challenges
- Roles and responsibilities
Robust Design Project manager
Duration: 3 days of 4 hours + homework. Hereafter regular sparring on project (8 check-ins of 1 hour) to ensure application at different project stages.
Prerequisites: Kinematics Pro (M1) + Handling of over constraints (M6) (included in package price)
Topics:
- Workflows: in project
- Workflows: in company
- Recommended setup
- Organization
- Roles & Resp.
- Technical lead
- Handling the RD8 Index and 8 disciplines
- Visual management & use in everyday life
- Implementation steps
Robust Design Subject Matter Expert
Duration: 3+2 days of 4 hours + homework. Hereafter regular sparring on project to ensure application at different project statges. Tailored timeline for each course participant (to match individual needs).
Prerequisites: “Robust Designer” + min. 2 additional toolbox courses
Topics:
- Decoupling
- Ensuring; Kinematic index = 0
- Transfer functions
- Pre-dimensioning & tolerance estimates
- Dimensioning
- Materials & material pairs
- Testing
- Sensitivity & transfer functions
- DFM / DFA
- Detailed design
- Design of “small surfaces”
- DFM
- DFA
- Assembly surfaces
- Tolerancing
- Material selection & Surface pressure & part strength
- Testing
- Team dynamics and support to team
Certification
Access to online tools
During the course, the participants will be working with several robustness tools that helps the participant to improve own products and keep track of the product.

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You still have questions about the RD8 Talent Development?
Find answers in our FAQ
What is the target group of your trainings?
We conduct upskilling sessions for people within different positions and industries. We target people who work with product design daily. Usually, our training participants carry job titles such as Mechanical Engineer, Product Designer, Head of Product Development, Project Manager, Industrialization Engineer, Head of Production, etc. There are no limitations regarding industries or product types. In case you are still uncertain if this training is well-suited for you, drop us a message and we will assess your fit.
Do I need to bring specific skills to the table?
If you are working in Mechanical Engineering, you probably have all the skills necessary to join our courses. Keep in mind that we offer courses on different levels so that we can start off from the right skill sets you already have. If you are uncertain whether your skills are sufficient to book a course with us, please reach out for a quick assessment.
What are your main means of teaching?
We value interactive means of teaching which is why we always include group work when applying newly acquired skills. New knowledge is transferred in classroom-style lessons. Over the years, we have built up the competences to ensure engagement in both online and offline course settings. You are in any case more than welcome to contribute with ideas and questions, and we appreciate your active participation. During as well as after completion of our trainings, learners have access to our online platform providing all the materials we are working with. These include challenges to individually work on, group work tasks and quizzes, amongst others.
Do participants need extra time next to the training hours?
There is no additional time needed for preparation etc., but there might be some homework to be done. The necessary amount of time required is indicated on the specific course’s description. During the training hours, there are timeslots to work on individual projects, so this is accounted for.
Which materials do you use for the trainings and do participants have to bring anything?
During our sessions, we work with several exercises and physical prototypes before applying the learned skills to actual cases. We have sample cases to choose from, but we prefer you working on cases from your day-to-day-life. Our online platform provides all materials that are, of course, included in the course’s price. Ideally, you are equipped with licenses to MS Office and a CAD system of your choice. If not, please let the instructor know upfront so we can make the necessary arrangements. Online resources are retrievable on our online platform also after the training. The only things participants need to bring is a computer (in case of an online training also a headset and a webcam) and – in all cases – a good mood!
What languages are the courses conducted in?
Our coaches are fluent in English, Danish and German allowing us to offer courses in all these languages. The language of our training materials is English. Please include your preferred course language in your signup.
How many participants are there in a course?
Generally, the course size depends on the complexity of the course curriculum. After the introduction course, we aim to have no more than 12 participants per instructor, however exceptions are possible based on your demands. In any way, we always make sure to have a setting where everyone has the chance to contribute and get the required personal attention.
What is the signup deadline?
Please reach out to us as early as possible to allow us enough time for planning etc. We recommend signing up at least 4 weeks before the preferred course start. Do not hesitate to contact us for trainings on short call, though – we will try to accommodate your inquiry.
What happens if I am sick the day of the training?
In case of sickness, we will find a solution on a case-to-case basis. This could for instance be the rearrangement of the learning session to a later date. Please make sure to contact us as soon as possible so that we can plan accordingly.
Do I get a certificate upon completion of the course?
Upon completion of a course, every participant receives a diploma of participation. There is further the option to receive a certificate for the application courses. This will be awarded after successful completion of a final project and exam. Please reach out to us if you are also interested in this type of certificate.