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Solving Complex Problems Capstone

From the very start of the specialization, your assignments will be geared toward tackling a complex issue of your choice that you face in your career path, industry, or field. Each phase of the course builds up to a briefing paper that analyzes, evaluates, and attempts to solve a highly complex problem. Not only does this course teach you a skill set, but it puts you further down the road in understanding the problems of your chosen field. It advances your knowledge of your own field by teaching you to look at it in new ways. This is the CAPSTONE where the scaffolding of our problem solving and innovation skills will bear fruit in a series of preparatory assignments to make your briefing paper as effective as possible.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Revising the problem definition

Welcome to the Capstone! This module contains all sorts of information on how to finish the final assignment. At the end of the module, you will review the problem definition you wrote at the end of Course 1.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops critical thinking skills, which are necessary to solve problems and make sound decisions

Develops problem solving skills through a capstone project, which is particularly valuable for those looking to advance their careers

Taught by an experienced professor who provides valuable industry insights and guidance

Requires students to engage with multi-disciplinary perspectives, which helps broaden their understanding of complex issues

Provides a comprehensive overview of problem-solving and innovation skills

Emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and analytical skills, which are highly valued by employers in various industries

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Reviews summary

Capstone applying problem-solving skills

According to learners, this course serves as a culmination of the specialization, allowing students to apply problem-solving frameworks to a complex issue of their choice. Many find the core task, the briefing paper, to be a highly valuable and practical exercise that helps structure thinking around real-world problems. Students appreciate the opportunity to produce a tangible deliverable. However, some reviewers highlight the significant workload and time commitment required for the capstone project. Opinions are mixed regarding the level of guidance provided, with some finding it sufficient and others feeling it could be more extensive given the complexity of the task and the integration of prior courses.

Mixed views on clarity and support.

"I found the guidance and structure provided helpful for tackling such a large project like the briefing paper."

"While the project is clear, sometimes I felt the guidance wasn't deep enough for the complexity of my chosen real-world problem."

"The course materials explain the steps, but more examples or detailed feedback mechanisms could improve the experience."

"I struggled a bit with how to synthesize all the previous course work into a coherent paper, felt slightly undirected at times."

Applicable to professional problems.

"Tackling a problem relevant to my career made the capstone project incredibly useful and motivating."

"The framework for analyzing complex problems is directly applicable to challenges I face at work."

"I learned a structured way to approach difficult, multi-faceted issues, which is invaluable professionally."

Excellent for applying specialization concepts.

"This course really lets you apply the complex problem-solving framework learned in the previous modules."

"It's great to finally bring all the concepts from the earlier courses together in one large project."

"I appreciated how the course structure walked you through building the briefing paper using skills taught previously."

Highly practical capstone project.

"The briefing paper is the absolute core of this capstone and the entire specialization, making everything learned feel worthwhile."

"Writing the briefing paper was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. It forced me to really use the tools from previous courses."

"I feel like I finally put all the pieces together. The capstone project resulted in a paper I can actually use and share professionally."

"Producing the final paper was the highlight. It's a substantial piece of work that demonstrates the skills gained."

Requires substantial time commitment.

"Be prepared for a heavy workload. The briefing paper takes a lot of time and effort to do well."

"This capstone requires significant dedication. Don't underestimate the time needed, especially for research and writing."

"The amount of work for the briefing paper is substantial, definitely more than the individual course assignments combined."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Solving Complex Problems Capstone with these activities:

Review problem solving frameworks

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Solidify your problem-solving skills by revisiting frameworks such as STAR or SMART goals.

Browse courses on Problem Solving

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Identify the types of problem-solving frameworks.
Practice applying these frameworks to case studies.

Organize course materials

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Enhance your ability to locate key concepts and information within the course materials.

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Review and group notes and assignments according to topic.
Create a centralized system for storing and organizing materials.

Create a mind map of key problem-solving concepts

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Develop a visual representation of key problem-solving concepts to enhance your understanding and recall.

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Identify the main problem-solving concepts covered in the course.
Create a mind map using a tool or software.
Connect the concepts with branches and sub-branches.

Six other activities

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Show all nine activities

Read "The Innovator's Dilemma"

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Gain insights into the challenges faced by organizations when facing disruptive innovation, which is relevant to the course's focus on problem-solving and innovation.

View The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books) on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1-3 to understand the concept of the innovator's dilemma.
Identify real-world examples of companies that have faced the innovator's dilemma.

Draft a briefing paper outline

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Start developing the structure and key components of your final briefing paper assignment.

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Review the course syllabus and assignment requirements.
Identify the main sections and subsections of the briefing paper.
Create an outline including key points and supporting evidence.

Participate in a peer study group

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Engage with peers to discuss course concepts, share insights, and learn from different perspectives.

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Find or form a study group with classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss course materials, assignments, and problem-solving strategies.
Provide support and feedback to each other.

Attend online tutorials on problem-solving techniques

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Enhance your understanding of specific problem-solving techniques through guided online tutorials.

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Search online platforms for tutorials on problem-solving techniques.
Select tutorials that cover techniques relevant to the course.
Follow along with the tutorials and practice applying the techniques.

Solve case studies on innovation and problem-solving

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Apply your problem-solving skills and knowledge to real-world scenarios through case study analysis.

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Identify case studies that align with the course topics.
Analyze the case studies using problem-solving frameworks.
Develop and evaluate potential solutions to the problems presented.

Attend a workshop on design thinking or problem-solving

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Participate in an immersive workshop setting to enhance your problem-solving and innovation skills through hands-on activities.

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Research and identify workshops related to design thinking or problem-solving.
Register and attend the workshop.
Actively participate in the workshop activities and discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete Solving Complex Problems Capstone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Researcher

Researchers conduct studies to collect and analyze data to answer questions and solve problems. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Researchers, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and research methods. These skills are essential for Researchers to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights and make predictions. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Statisticians, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and statistical methods. These skills are essential for Statisticians to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems and create value for organizations. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Data Scientists, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and data analysis techniques. These skills are essential for Data Scientists to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Scientist

Scientists conduct studies to collect and analyze data to answer questions and solve problems. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Scientists, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and research methods. These skills are essential for Scientists to succeed in their roles.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and develop public policy. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Policy Analysts, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and communication skills. These skills are essential for Policy Analysts to succeed in their roles.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Web Developers, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and web development skills. These skills are essential for Web Developers to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Systems Analysts, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and systems analysis techniques. These skills are essential for Systems Analysts to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain documentation for technical products and services. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Technical Writers, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and writing skills. These skills are essential for Technical Writers to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers design and evaluate user experiences for products and services. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for User Experience Designers, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and design thinking skills. These skills are essential for User Experience Designers to succeed in their roles.

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Analyst

Analysts research, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course can be useful for Analysts, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and data interpretation techniques. These skills are essential for Analysts to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Software Engineers, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and software development skills. These skills are essential for Software Engineers to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Project Managers, as it teaches problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. These skills are essential for Project Managers to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Manager

Managers plan, organize, and lead teams of people to achieve organizational goals. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Managers, as it teaches problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. These skills are essential for Managers to succeed in their roles.

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Teacher

Teachers plan, organize, and deliver instruction to students. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Teachers, as it teaches problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and communication skills. These skills are essential for Teachers to succeed in their roles.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a wide range of issues, including strategy, operations, and technology. The Solving Complex Problems Capstone course may be useful for Consultants, as it teaches problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and communication skills. These skills are essential for Consultants to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Reading list

We've selected 22 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Solving Complex Problems Capstone.