CMS02: Design Thinking Mastery for Corporate Management

1.1.     Introduction:

• Skill: Mastery of Design Thinking for effective management and innovation.
• Led by: Ir Prof Alan Lam at Gravity Academy.
• Aim: Equip senior managers with design thinking skills to foster creative problem-solving and enhance corporate strategy.

1.2.     Course Outline:

1. Introduction to Design Thinking
2. Empathy in Design Thinking
3. Defining Problems Clearly
4. Ideation Techniques and Tools
5. Prototyping Best Practices
6. Testing and Iterative Improvement
7. Integrating Design Thinking in Corporate Strategy
8. Design Thinking for Product Development
9. User-Centered Design Principles
10. Managing Innovation Teams
11. Measuring Design Thinking Outcomes
12. Real-World Applications and Case Studies

1.3.     Course Overview:

This course aims to provide senior management with the comprehensive knowledge and skills necessary to implement Design Thinking within their organizations effectively. Through a combination of theoretical lectures, practical workshops, and real-world case studies, participants will learn how to utilize Design Thinking to solve complex business problems, innovate, and drive strategic initiatives.

1.4.     The Curriculum:

• Introduction to Design Thinking:
  • Understanding the concept and importance of Design Thinking in today’s business environment.
  • Historical context and evolution of Design Thinking principles.
• Empathy in Design Thinking:
  • Techniques for developing a deep understanding of customer needs and experiences.
  • Methods to cultivate empathy within a corporate setting.
• Defining Problems Clearly:
  • Techniques for framing and defining business problems accurately.
  • The importance of problem definition in the innovation process.
• Ideation Techniques and Tools:
  • Brainstorming methods and tools to generate a multitude of ideas.
  • Structured ideation sessions and creativity enhancement techniques.
• Prototyping Best Practices:
  • Steps to develop prototypes quickly and effectively.
  • Importance of rapid prototyping in validating ideas.
• Testing and Iterative Improvement:
  • Methods for testing prototypes and gathering feedback.
  • Continuous improvement through iteration based on user feedback.
• Integrating Design Thinking in Corporate Strategy:
  • Aligning Design Thinking with corporate goals and initiatives.
  • Roadmaps for embedding Design Thinking into corporate culture.
• Design Thinking for Product Development:
  • Applying Design Thinking to streamline product development processes.
  • Enhancing product innovation and user satisfaction.
• User-Centered Design Principles:
  • Principles and practices of User-Centered Design (UCD).
  • Ensuring solutions address real user needs and experiences.
• Managing Innovation Teams:
  • Strategies for building and managing diverse innovation teams.
  • Fostering collaboration and creativity within teams.
• Measuring Design Thinking Outcomes:
  • Metrics and KPIs to evaluate the impact of Design Thinking initiatives.
  • Tools for measuring success and demonstrating value.
• Real-World Applications and Case Studies:
  • Analysis of successful Design Thinking implementations in various industries.
  • Learning from real-world examples and best practices.

1.5.     The Instructor:

Ir Prof Alan Lam: A seasoned expert in corporate management and innovation, Prof Lam brings a wealth of practical experience and theoretical knowledge to the course. His leadership and teaching blend real-world insights with academic rigor, ensuring that participants gain applicable skills and understanding.

1.6.     Why Choose This Course:

• Expert guidance by Prof Alan Lam.
• Comprehensive and actionable content tailored for senior management.
• Engaging and interactive learning formats, including workshops and case studies.
• Access to a robust network of peers and industry leaders.

1.7.     What Will You Obtain:

• Mastery of Design Thinking principles and their application in business contexts.
• Enhanced creative problem-solving skills. – Ability to foster a customer-centric approach within your organization.
• Knowledge on how to lead and manage innovation teams effectively.
• Tools and techniques to integrate Design Thinking into corporate strategy.
• Insight into real-world applications and successful case studies.

1.8.     Suitable Candidate:

• Senior management and corporate teams at large organizations.
• Executives responsible for strategic planning and innovation.
• Product development managers and team leaders.
• Professionals looking to enhance their creative problem-solving capabilities and drive innovation within their companies.