General Information
Promotional Video
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Instructor Bio
Anjana Dattani is an award-winning Professor of Business Design and Innovation. She works with executives across the globe on applying design-driven innovation methods and mindsets in a variety of contexts and industries. Since graduating from the Rotman MBA, she has designed and delivered Innovation-related courses at Rotman, MIT and Haas, led programs for senior leaders at private and public organizations, and published in management journals.
Description
This course is a foundational introduction to the mindsets and methods of business design. In a learning-by-doing format, the course combines the strategic analysis of a business challenge with the intensity and rigour of a business design case competition by teaching and guiding you to think in new ways. You will learn, then apply industry leading methods to start, find, frame and solve a real industry challenge. This course combines instructor-led, peer-to-peer and team-based learning and industry sponsor knowledge exchange.
Format
This course offers workshop-style classes with hands-on activities, flipped-classroom discussions, and field work (virtual and physical). You are expected to attend each class in-person, and engage with the teaching team, peers and a real organization on a business problem. Prepare to contribute to class discussions, group presentations and engage in self-directed learning.
- Intensive 2-hour workshops
- 2-4 hrs. of homework weekly
- 4-6 hrs. of desk/field research activities (between Class 4 and Class 7)
Course Learning Objectives
This course is aimed at students who appreciate design’s role in business and are keen to apply human-centred principles to business innovation. The learning objectives are to:
- Gain an in-depth understanding of Business Design methods and how they are applied in industry settings
- Actively practice business design mindsets and techniques using management frameworks, ethnographic methods and design techniques to find, frame and solve problems;
- In consulting teams, design and conduct empathic research in-field and online to gain insight;
- Experience sustained curiosity, empathy and creativity to reframe problems and offer customer-centred solutions to the industry class sponsor; and,
- Articulate and offer a novel and relevant solution to the industry sponsor.
Course Scope
Business Design is evolving into the most prolific approach to innovative problem-solving, innovation strategy, service/product design and business transformation. Today’s leaders must be equipped with a mindset, skillset and toolset to creatively solve problems that focus on the user, customer or stakeholder.
Evaluation and Grade Breakdown
| Component | Due Date | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Participation | Ongoing | 15% |
| Reflection Paper x 2 (Individual) | Class 2 & Class 12 | 30% |
| Innovation Design Brief and Research Plan (Team) | Class 4 | 10% |
| Individual Worksheets and Reflections | Ongoing | 15% |
| Business Design Proposal (Team) | Class 12 | 30% |
Required Resources
- Optional Textbook: Business Design Thinking and Doing by Dr. Angéle Beausoleil.
- Required readings and supplemental materials will be provided on Quercus
- A Business Design toolkit / templates will be provided for free
Note
The Business Design Course offerings in 2024-2025 will slightly differ from previous years. This first-year elective (BD Fundamentals) will now be taught as a live case with an industry partner. In Year 2, you will have the opportunity to explore this subject further, through courses such as Design Research, Creativity in Business Innovation, Future’s Thinking and Service Design. There is no second-year BD Practicum course.