Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector from Coursera

Do you work for a nonprofit or in the social sector? Are you struggling to solve the problems and meet the needs of the people you serve? Come learn more about how design thinking, a human-centered approach to problem solving, can help you truly understand an issue, generate ideas worth testing and iterate to find solutions that make a real difference. Through global stories from areas as diverse as government, health care, and education, we’ll show you the tools, techniques and mindset needed to use design thinking to uncover new and creative solutions in the social sector.

The development of this course was supported by the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. For more about the Batten Institute, see:

http://www.darden.virginia.edu/batten-institute/

@BattenInstitute

@DesignatDarden

What's inside

Syllabus

DESIGN THINKING FUNDAMENTALS

Welcome to the first week of Design Thinking in the Social Sector! This week, we provide an overview of design thinking: what it is, why it is different, and why we need it in these uncertain times, especially in complex organizations. We’ll examine the four simple questions at the heart of the design thinking methodology, and illustrate that approach with a visit to the Kingwood Institute in the UK. We’ll conclude this module by giving you a chance to hear from some other experts – Angela Meyer on the visualization tool and Dan Pink on six abilities that matter most.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN, AND ASKING "WHAT IS?"

Welcome back! This week, we’ll examine the types of problems that are well-suited for design thinking. We'll recognize what we need to do before we begin a project, and then take a deep dive into the first question in the design thinking process, “What is?” and the concepts of insights and design criteria. You’ll see how asking “What is?” helped improve daily living for adults with autism, their families, and the staff of the Kingwood Trust. Then we’ll look at the Monash University Medical Centre in Australia and how it asked this same question to make patient-centered care a reality. Along the way you’ll learn about two design tools: journey mapping and repertoire.

A MINDSET FOR INNOVATION, AND ASKING "WHAT IF?"

Welcome back! This week, we'll continue our exploration of repertoire and a "mindset for innovation" through two personas we call George and Geoffrey. We'll examine the question "What If?" as a way to think about possibilities. You'll look closely at how brainstorming within the design thinking process helped organizations as different as the Federal Drug Administration and the leaders of a small town of Iveragh, Ireland. This week's tools, storytelling and stakeholder mapping, illustrate ways to gather more information about projects and users.

ASKING "WHAT WOWS?" AND "WHAT WORKS?"

Welcome to our final week! This week we transition from idea generation to testing by examining the intersection of what stakeholders want and what the organization can sustainably offer. We'll consider the role of prototypes as a way to test our assumptions about a solution, and consider what it takes to launch a solution into practice, and see real-life examples of prototyping and testing in social sectors as diverse as healthcare and agriculture. You'll begin to think about your own social sector challenge you could tackle with design thinking. We end this week with some advice and actions for impact.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops empathy for clients and leadership for change in the non-profit and social sector

Examines innovative solutions and creative thinking in complex organizational settings

Strengthens core abilities in the design thinking process, which is highly relevant to business innovation

Requires no prerequisites, which makes it accessible to beginners

Led by instructors who are recognized for their expertise in design thinking and human-centered problem solving

Emphasizes real-world applications and provides examples from various social sectors

Reviews summary

Design thinking for impact

Students say this course offers an in-depth look into Design Thinking. Described as engaging, it features case studies and tools that show learners how to solve complex problems in the social sector. Students particularly value the real world examples and opportunities to apply what they've learned to their own projects.

Self-paced format allows learners to study at their own pace

"I have to say that i was skeptical about this experience (my first international e-learning course) but the contents offered are worth a try."

"Thank you for such a lovely course provided by University of Virginia. I have learnt a lot from this course."

"This was my first course. I really enjoyed the way they taut us and the examples given by them were amazing."

Course is relatively short, allowing learners to complete it in a short amount of time

"This was my first course. I really enjoyed the way they taut us and the examples given by them were amazing. the examples provided me with certain guidelines which were very very useful while doing my project work. My experience was really good and I was also motivated. Thank you so much."

"Thank you for such a lovely course provided by University of Virginia. I have learnt a lot from this course."

"The course is very extensive and very elaborately explained. The usage of worked out real life examples added great value for the course."

Includes assignments and quizzes to reinforce learning

"The final assignment helped to integrate it all. One improvement could be to add some summary notes of the process described with tools to be used for easy access/remembering in the future."

"Each week concludes with an auto-graded assessment, and there is also one peer-graded assignment to cap everything off."

"I found the assignment a valuable exercise, it was also obvious that many of peers did not feel the same way."

Modules are well-organized and easy to follow

"This course gives an excellent overview of Design Thinking methodology in the context of social and nonprofit sector."

"I really enjoyed the DT course. Provided in-depth examples and explanation about how the tool is implemented. Highly recommended for those who have a little/no knowledge about the tool."

"That was one of my favorite and enjoyable course so far. Very insightful and well prepared."

Expert instructors provide guidance and insights

"Excellent course, I obtained here the knowledge and tools I was looking for: design thinking, social impact and people as central human design. The mentors in this course are really passionate about the topic and also very good examples are given to understand better all the modules of the syllabus."

"Great course. I really enjoyed the instructors and their passion for the topic. I learned so much about such an important field."

"The course really helped in understanding the process of designing a solution and more importantly focus on redefining the problem! A course for those who want to learn the innovation process."

Thorough exploration of methods, tools, and case studies

"Excellent course! Very well organized and planned, with a very well structured learning path."

"Good overview of design thinking. Good speakers, but the concept of the course with everything in video lectures (and some being more than 10 minutes long) is a bit annoying."

"I feel very motivated and found an amazing passion here learning with the greatest faculty of the greatest university."

Provides students with opportunities to apply their understanding of Design Thinking to real-world projects

"The hands-on application of learning is what makes this course very special. Learning how to identify problems, coming up with the most innovative solution and everything in between. All taught through real-life examples from top-notch organisations!"

"The course very extensive and very elaborately explained. The usage of worked out real life examples added great value for the course."

"The information offered is both interesting and simple to comprehend. accompanied by examples and explanations, in order to improve understanding of design thinking's application in the real world."

Features relevant case studies and examples of Design Thinking in action

"This course gave me the opportunity to open my mind to new knowledge about how to improve and understand the world of business"

"Exceptional course, I obtained here the knowledge and tools I was looking for: design thinking, social impact and people as central human design."

"Interesting to take a design thinking course about innovation in the social sector. Good balance of theory and examples from the real world."

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 Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector with these activities:

Problem-Solving Skills

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Refresh your problem-solving skills to enhance your ability to apply design thinking principles.

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Review fundamental problem-solving techniques.
Practice solving a variety of problems using different approaches.
Seek feedback on your problem-solving process and improve accordingly.

Online Design Thinking Resources

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Enhance your knowledge of design thinking by exploring online resources and tutorials.

Browse courses on Design Thinking

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Identify online resources or tutorials related to design thinking.
Review the resources or tutorials and take notes on key concepts and tools.
Apply what you learn to your own design thinking project or idea.

Course Materials Compilation

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Solidify your understanding of course content by organizing and reviewing materials.

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Gather all course materials, including lecture notes, readings, and assignments.
Organize and compile the materials in a logical and accessible way.
Regularly review the compiled materials to reinforce your learning.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Design Thinking Tool Practice

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Reinforce your understanding of design thinking tools and techniques through practical exercises.

Browse courses on Design Thinking

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Review the different design thinking tools and techniques covered in the course.
Select a specific tool or technique to practice.
Apply the tool or technique to a small-scale challenge or problem.
Reflect on your experience and how it enhances your understanding of the tool or technique.

Design Thinking Peer Feedback

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Improve your design thinking skills by seeking feedback from your peers on your ideas and solutions.

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Pair up with a peer who is also taking the course.
Share your design thinking project or idea with your peer.
Provide feedback to your peer on their solution, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement.
Listen attentively to the feedback provided by your peer.

Design Thinking Case Study Analysis

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Enhance your understanding of design thinking by analyzing real-world case studies of successful social sector initiatives.

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Select a design thinking case study that interests you.
Read and analyze the case study thoroughly.
Identify the key design thinking principles and techniques used.
Discuss the challenges and successes of the initiative.
Reflect on how the case study can inform your own design thinking practice.

Design Thinking Challenge

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Engage in a practical design thinking project to apply the concepts learned in the course and solve real-world problems in the social sector.

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Identify a social sector challenge or problem that you are passionate about.
Define the problem statement clearly.
Brainstorm and generate ideas for potential solutions.
Develop a prototype or mock-up of your proposed solution.
Test your solution with stakeholders and gather feedback.

Design Thinking Pitch

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Develop your presentation skills and ability to communicate design thinking concepts effectively.

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Prepare a design thinking presentation that showcases your project or a hypothetical solution.
Practice your presentation thoroughly.
Present your design thinking solution to a group of peers or professionals.
Gather feedback and reflect on your presentation skills.

Career center

Learners who complete Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products, often working closely with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the needs of your customers, develop innovative solutions, and bring products to market successfully. This course will help you build a foundation in design thinking, which is a human-centered approach to problem solving that can be applied to any industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers (UX Designers) focus on the interaction between users and products, ensuring that products are easy to use and enjoyable. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the user experience design process, conduct user research, and create prototypes and mockups of new products. This course will help prepare you for a career as a UX Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Innovation Consultant

Innovation Consultants help organizations develop and implement new ideas and strategies. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the innovation process, identify and evaluate new opportunities, and develop and implement innovative solutions. This course will help prepare you for a career as an Innovation Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Consultant

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs are individuals who use their business skills to solve social problems. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the challenges and opportunities of social entrepreneurship, develop and implement innovative solutions, and build a sustainable business. This course may be particularly helpful if you are interested in starting your own social enterprise.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of nonprofit organizations. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the unique challenges and opportunities faced by nonprofits, develop and implement effective strategies, and manage staff and resources. This course may be particularly helpful if you are interested in working for a nonprofit organization that focuses on social good.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies, and make recommendations to policymakers. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the policymaking process, conduct research, and communicate your findings effectively. This course may be particularly helpful if you are interested in a career in public policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and projects. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the program management lifecycle, develop and implement effective programs, and manage budgets and resources. This course will help you prepare for a career as a Program Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Community Organizer

Community Organizers work to build and strengthen communities, often by organizing residents to address local issues. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the principles of community organizing, develop and implement community-based initiatives, and advocate for social change. This course may be particularly helpful if you are interested in a career in community development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Social Worker

Social Workers provide support and assistance to individuals and families who are facing challenges. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the principles of social work, develop and implement effective interventions, and work with diverse populations. This course may be particularly helpful if you are interested in a career in social work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Educator

Educators teach students in schools, colleges, and universities. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the principles of education, develop and implement effective lesson plans, and manage a classroom. This course may be particularly helpful if you are interested in a career in education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educator

Researcher

Researchers conduct research to advance knowledge and understanding in a particular field. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the research process, design and conduct research studies, and analyze and interpret data. This course may be particularly helpful if you are interested in a career in research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Consultant

Consultants provide advice and expertise to organizations on a variety of topics. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the principles of consulting, develop and deliver effective presentations, and manage client relationships. This course will help you prepare for a career as a Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the project management lifecycle, develop and implement project plans, and manage risks and resources. This course will help you prepare for a career as a Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations improve their business processes and operations. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the principles of business analysis, develop and implement solutions to business problems, and communicate your findings effectively. This course will help prepare you for a career as a Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns to promote products and services. The skills you learn in this course will help you understand the principles of marketing, develop and implement effective marketing strategies, and measure the results of your marketing campaigns. This course will help you prepare for a career as a Marketing Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager