Design Thinking for Managers

Design Thinking is a creative strategy used to provide solutions to complex challenges. It can be applied by professionals to design products, spaces, services and systems by using the designer’s sensibility and methods to match people’s needs with what is technologically feasible and economically viable.

This course is based on a format developed for Said Business School’s MBA, this is a fast-paced course combining the creativity of a design studio with the analytical rigour of academic research.

The course follows a blended learning format, to maximise learning and give participants the flexibility to fit the learning around their schedule. Starting 4 weeks prior to the face to face workshop, candidates will work through a series of online resources and webinars, to cover core concepts and to begin to apply design thinking concepts to their own contexts.

This ensures candidates are well prepared when they arrive for the workshop. After the workshop, participants will complete a further task applying design thinking to their own organisation, and will receive personal feedback from their tutor. Once this is complete, the learner will receive a certificate evidencing their achievement.
The training will give you the practical skills and knowledge to lead a “design” thinking project using key frameworks, methods and tools. Backed up by case studies and peer-to-peer learning, you’ll develop a nuanced understanding of design thinking and its potential for organisations in consumer, B2B and public sector contexts. You’ll take away insights into how you as a manager can develop and build this capability.

After the course, you will be invited to join a network of peers to continue discussing and developing your design thinking practice.

Outcomes:

When you complete the course, you will be able to:

• Undestand design thinking: what it is and why it matters to organisations
• Describe the main frameworks, methods and tools and when and how to use them
• Identify opportunities to use design thinking in relation to your own team and organisational challenges
• Know where and how to access the leading tools and templates

Topics:

• Getting insights from user behaviours and habits
• Generating and exploring new concepts informed by insights
• Involving customers and users in idea generation and prototyping
• Building a design capability in your organisation
• The challenge of measuring impact

How it will be taught:

Online learning via the live online sessions and online resources, practical workshops applying design thinking frameworks, methods and tools to organisational challenges; case study discussion; peer to peer learning and feedback; guest speakers.


Please note: This course is for students aged 18 and older