General Information
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Instructor Bio
Anjana Dattani is a lecturer, researcher, and practitioner of design-driven innovation. She brings facilitation expertise from working with executives across the globe on learning and applying business design methods and techniques to their work in a variety of industries. Since graduating from the Rotman MBA, she has worked on the development and delivery of Business Design courses at Rotman, led programs through MIT and Haas, and continues to contribute to the global innovation community.
Description
This course is a foundational introduction to the theories and methods of business design. In a learning-by-doing format, the course combines the strategic analysis of a business design case competition and will challenge 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 and engage with the teaching team, peers and a real organization on a business problem. Course materials will be delivered in-person. You are expected to contribute to class discussions, group presentations and engage in self-directed learning.
- Intensive 2-hour studio/class
- 2-4 hrs. of homework weekly
- 4-6 hrs. of desk/field research activities (between Class 5 and Class 7)
- Templates will be provided
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 the Business Design Methodology and how it is applied in industry settings
- Actively practice the Business Design Method (4-step process), 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 innovation management, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Class Participation (Individual) | Ongoing | 15% |
| Reflection Paper x2 (Individual) | Class 2 & Class 12 | 30% |
| Innovation Design Brief and Research Plan (Team) | Class 4 | 10% |
| Worksheets and Reflections (Individual) | Ongoing | 15% |
| Business Design Proposal (Team) | Class 12 | 30% |
Required Resources
- Required Textbook: Business Design Thinking and Doing (available at Bookstore)
(Note: If you are purchasing from the bookstore website, “New” = hard copy; “Perpetual Vs” = e-book; “120-Vs” = e-book with access for 120 days; “60-Vs” = e-book with access for 60 days; “30-Vs” = e-book with access for 30 days) - A digital Business Design toolkit with templates will be provided for free.
- Required readings and supplemental materials will be provided on Quercus (see Modules Folders for details)
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.