Design Thinking Part II: Ideas to Action

AT A GLANCE

In Design Thinking Part II: Ideas to Action, you'll develop the ideas you sourced inPart I* and transform them into powerful actions. To capitalize on the promise of design thinking, you must do the exciting work that follows inspiration: developing ideas quickly and broadly, testing them for viability in relevant contexts, and bringing them to market. Expect to focus 5-8 hours per week on coursework during this five-week course.

*Please note that Part I of the course is required in order to take Part II.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Armed with the right challenge and a deep understanding of its context, you'll begin this course, Design Thinking Part II, by asking "What if?" You'll follow Professor Liedtka's disciplined - and different - approach to creative brainstorming, you'll consider a spectrum of possibilities and use the best ideas to generate solutions to your challenge. Next, you'll ask "What wows?" This critical analysis considers the needs of your stakeholders and your organization, and project feasibility to find the best intersection of potentials. Finally, you'll focus on "What works?" by bringing your ideas face-to-face with stakeholders. 

Throughout the process, you will share questions, complete assignments, give and get feedback from your peers and follow real-time insights from practicing designers in class forums.

ACCELERATE YOUR SKILLS

• Get viable results using a new, disciplined approach to creative brainstorming
• Develop inventive ideas into business-ready concepts
• Refine high-potential ideas and bring them into action in the workplace and the world
• Practice efficient growth strategies from the world of lean, design-focused entrepreneurs

COURSE FORMAT

This program is conducted entirely online over the course of four 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 II: Ideas to Action with:

• The ability to do more with less, to align and lead teams through a lean, efficient and vetted process for creative innovation
• A toolbox of skills to make small bets fast, evaluate failure intelligently and harness breakthroughs to propel company growth or social good
• New perspectives on in-market experiments that save time and resources while revealing smarter outcomes
• A tested solution to your real-life problem that speaks directly to the unique needs of your target audience 

PARTICIPANTS

This experiential conclusion to Professor Liedtka's design thinking process benefits public and private sector leaders alike, including those in finance, engineering, technology and administration, as well as healthcare, education and social nonprofit causes.

Prior participation in Design Thinking Part I: Insights to Inspiration is required to enroll in this next-level course.