PROGRAM

Design Thinking Part I: Insights to Inspiration

Course Dates:

25/02/2018 To 31/03/2018

Cost:

USD $ 495

Language of Instruction:

English

Faced with growth or development challenges, most managers dive headfirst into the search for inventive solutions. But creative roundtables, brainstorming sessions, and other traditional attempts to conjure inspired ideas typically fall short. Discover your creative potential. Learn a proven, structured approach to invention — a truly systematic process for ideation — to spark workplace creativity.

AT A GLANCE

In this five-week, project-based course taught by Darden Professor Jeanne Liedtka, internationally recognized leader in design thinking, you'll lay the groundwork for great ideas, strengthen your innovation mindset and learn research techniques that jumpstart your team's potential for new and inspired ideas. Expect to focus 5-8 hours per week on coursework.

Excellent program providing good introduction to design thinking methodology, required mindset and tools. Practical, pragmatic approach and real-life examples, not just "theory." Very engaged and supportive mentors.
Marco Fasani, Market Manager, Formenti e Giovenzana Spa

This course gives managers the right tools and mindset to start tackling problems with a different approach. I will continue developing my design thinking knowledge, applying what I learn in my business and daily job issues.
Jairo Berbeo, Regional Manager, Sales, P&G

COURSE OVERVIEW

Creative solutions for the future begin with thoughtful insights into the present. This introduction to the design thinking process asks you to identify a human-centered problem to solve and begin as designers do - with the here-and-now needs, desires and behaviors of those who need innovation the most.

You'll craft and carry out a research plan that answers the question "What is?" and follow a guided process of gathering and identifying important insights about the needs and wants of others. You'll use this information to identify the attributes of an ideal solution and hear stories of design thinking at work to inspire ideas for moving your organization forward.

ACCELERATE YOUR SKILLS

Approach real-world problems from the point of view of your target audience, no matter how different your perspectives typically are
Discover the business and social challenges most likely to yield fruitful ideas
Develop an action plan for research and gather feedback for your unique challenges
Identify important insights into the needs and wants of others using human-centered and customer-centric tools like journey mapping

COURSE FORMAT

This program is conducted entirely online over the course of five weeks. Each week, participants should expect to spend approximately five to eight hours viewing instructional videos and completing field work, readings, assignments, and peer evaluations. This course uses the text The Designing for Growth Field Book: A Step by Step Project Guide. An electronic version is available at a 50% discount throughColumbia University Press, coupon code D4GFB-DTIPS.

For the course to be completely successful, participants should maintain respectful communication with the faculty and fellow participants and comply with all applicable rules, instructions, requirements and terms of service.

TAKEAWAYS

You'll walk away from Design Thinking Part I: Insights to Inspiration with:

The ability to work better with fewer resources by leading a lean research process that sparks creative innovation
A toolbox of skills to systematically research key markets and pinpoint the territories with highest potential for innovation
First-hand knowledge and practical application examples from veteran designers
A deeper understanding of how exactly to identify, map out and research business and social situations
Stronger creative muscles to help you solve work and life challenges

PARTICIPANTS

Designed for managers who want to explore the principles of design thinking and how a human-centered approach to innovation can transform their organization, this course will benefit organizational leaders from the public and private sectors, including those in finance, engineering, technology and administration, as well as healthcare, education and social nonprofit causes.