Create Innovative Teams with Design Thinking from edX

Explore the role of design thinking for teams with the University of Adelaide

A design thinking approach is crucial for problem-solving and encouraging innovation. On this four-week course from the University of Adelaide, you’ll learn how to implement design thinking principles to increase innovation in your team.

The course has been carefully designed to help you gain practical knowledge you can use in your context. You’ll learn the basics of design thinking to enable your team to generate and implement ideas rapidly.

By the end, you’ll understand how to analyse your own team environment and get started with design thinking for innovation.

Unpack the principles of design thinking

As you learn what design thinking is and how it differs from other approaches, you’ll discover the benefits of this approach for teams and organisations.

You’ll learn the core principles of design thinking and how they work in action. This knowledge will ensure you know how to apply the principles to problem-solve in your context.

Delve into idea generation

Idea generation is an important component of innovative teams. On the course, you’ll learn how to implement team-based methods for idea generation.

You’ll learn techniques for idea expansion and visualisation, as well as selection, refinement, and implementation.

Learn how to implement design thinking in a team environment

With the knowledge of design thinking principles and benefits, you’ll then learn how to implement design thinking within your team environment.

Exploring real-life examples, you’ll learn the steps you can take to bring design thinking to your team and overcome the hurdles you may encounter.

This course is designed for new or emerging managers, or team leaders from any industry.

You’ll be supported to upskill and update your approach to management, no matter what industry you are working in.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Describe the benefits of implementing design thinking in a team environment.
Apply principles of design thinking to develop well-defined problem statements.
Identify team-based methods for expanding, refining, visualising, and implementing ideas.

Explain how design thinking could be implemented in a team environment.
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Describe the benefits of implementing design thinking in a team environment.
Apply principles of design thinking to develop well-defined problem statements.
Identify team-based methods for expanding, refining, visualising, and implementing ideas.
Explain how design thinking could be implemented in a team environment.
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Syllabus

Week 1: What is Design Thinking?

Define design thinking and explain how it differs from other approaches - Well define design thinking, consider 'wicked problems', and explore various problem-solving models.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores design thinking, which is widely used in various industries

Taught by instructors from the reputable University of Adelaide

Develops team-based methods for idea generation and visualization, which are core skills for innovation

Provides a hands-on approach through real-life examples and practical implementation techniques

Suitable for new and experienced managers and team leaders from diverse industries

Reviews summary

Design thinking for team innovation

According to learners, this course offers a foundational introduction to design thinking for teams. It is often described as having a clear structure, making its core principles accessible. Students find the focus on practical application and team-based methods for ideation particularly valuable for generating and implementing ideas rapidly. While it provides a solid framework for fostering innovation, some learners suggest it serves as a good starting point rather than an exhaustive deep dive, primarily benefiting new and emerging managers seeking actionable strategies.

Illustrations provide context and aid understanding.

"The real-life examples were very helpful in seeing design thinking in action."

"I appreciated how the course showcased practical scenarios for implementation."

"Observing how these principles apply in actual situations made the concepts stick."

Strong emphasis on collaborative idea generation.

"The sections on team-based methods for ideation were particularly insightful for me."

"I learned new techniques for idea expansion and visualization within a team setting."

"It really helped me understand how to bring ideas to life through prototyping and testing with my team."

Offers a well-organized and understandable introduction.

"The course broke down design thinking into easily digestible modules."

"It provides a strong foundational understanding of design thinking principles."

"I found the progression from theory to implementation very logical and clear."

Provides actionable strategies for team innovation.

"I appreciate how the course focused on methods I can apply directly to my team's work."

"Learned practical strategies to help my team generate and implement ideas more effectively."

"This course is highly relevant for managers looking to foster innovation in their teams."

Best suited for beginners or those new to the topic.

"While comprehensive for an introduction, I wish it offered more advanced concepts."

"This course is a great starting point, but don't expect deep dives into every methodology."

"For experienced design thinkers, much of this might be a review of basic principles."

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 Create Innovative Teams with Design Thinking with these activities:

Review Problem-Solving Techniques

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Strengthen your problem-solving skills to enhance your design thinking abilities.

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Review the steps of the problem-solving process
Practice applying problem-solving techniques to sample problems

Create a Design Thinking Case Study

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Deepen your understanding of design thinking by applying it to a real-world scenario.

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Ideate and select a problem statement
Develop a solution using design thinking principles
Create a presentation summarizing the case study

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Career center

Learners who complete Create Innovative Teams with Design Thinking 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 and services. They use their skills in design thinking to create products and services that meet the needs of customers. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Product Manager. You will learn how to identify and prioritize customer needs, develop product roadmaps, and launch new products and services. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in product management, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Human-Centered Designer

Human-Centered Designers use their skills in design thinking to create products and services that are tailored to the needs of users. They work with users to understand their needs, develop prototypes, and test and evaluate their designs. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Human-Centered Designer. You will learn how to conduct user research, develop prototypes, and evaluate user experiences. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in human-centered design, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Design Researcher

Design Researchers use their skills in design thinking to understand the needs of users and develop products and services that meet those needs. They conduct research to gather data about users, their needs, and their behaviors. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Design Researcher. You will learn how to conduct user research, analyze data, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in design research, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Service Designer

Service Designers use their skills in design thinking to create and improve services. They work with organizations to understand the needs of users and develop services that meet those needs. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Service Designer. You will learn how to identify and prioritize user needs, design service blueprints, and evaluate service performance. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in service design, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers are responsible for designing the user experience for products and services. They use their skills in design thinking to create products and services that are easy to use and enjoyable to interact with. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective User Experience Designer. You will learn how to understand user needs, design user interfaces, and test and evaluate user experiences. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in user experience design, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers use their skills in design thinking to create products and services that are easy to interact with. They work with users to understand their needs, develop prototypes, and test and evaluate their designs. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Interaction Designer. You will learn how to conduct user research, develop prototypes, and evaluate user experiences. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in interaction design, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Information Architect

Information Architects use their skills in design thinking to organize and structure information in a way that is easy to find and use. They work with users to understand their needs, develop information architectures, and implement those architectures in products and services. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Information Architect. You will learn how to conduct user research, develop information architectures, and evaluate information architecture performance. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in information architecture, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Strategy Consultant

Strategy Consultants help organizations develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals. They use their skills in design thinking to help clients identify and solve problems, develop new strategies, and implement those strategies effectively. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Strategy Consultant. You will learn how to analyze industry trends, develop business strategies, and facilitate strategy implementation. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in strategy consulting, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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UX Writer

UX Writers use their skills in design thinking to write clear and concise content for products and services. They work with users to understand their needs, develop content strategies, and write content that meets those needs. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective UX Writer. You will learn how to develop content strategies, write clear and concise content, and evaluate content performance. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in UX writing, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with businesses to analyze their needs and develop solutions to improve their operations. They use their skills in problem-solving and analysis to help businesses make better decisions. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Business Analyst. You will learn how to gather and analyze data, identify and solve problems, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in business analysis, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Architect

Architects use their skills in design thinking to create buildings and other structures that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. They work with clients to understand their needs, develop design concepts, and produce final designs. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Architect. You will learn how to develop design concepts, create prototypes, and test and evaluate your designs. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in architecture, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Innovation Consultant

Innovation Consultants are responsible for helping organizations innovate and grow. They use their expertise in design thinking to help clients develop new products, services, and processes. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Innovation Consultant. You will learn how to identify and solve problems, generate and test new ideas, and implement design thinking principles in a team environment. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in innovation, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Interior designer

Interior Designers use their skills in design thinking to create interior spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. They work with clients to understand their needs, develop design concepts, and produce final designs. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Interior Designer. You will learn how to develop design concepts, create prototypes, and test and evaluate your designs. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in interior design, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers use their skills in design thinking to create visual content that communicates messages and ideas. They work with clients to understand their needs, develop design concepts, and produce final designs. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Graphic Designer. You will learn how to develop design concepts, create visual content, and communicate your ideas to clients. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in graphic design, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers use their skills in design thinking to create products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. They work with clients to understand their needs, develop design concepts, and produce final designs. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Industrial Designer. You will learn how to develop design concepts, create prototypes, and test and evaluate your designs. This course is designed for people who are interested in a career in industrial design, or who want to learn more about design thinking.

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