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

Approx. 8 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Learn how to apply design thinking principles to solve social sector challenges in this course from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

Key Learning Points

Understand the unique challenges faced by the social sector and how design thinking can help address them
Learn how to conduct user research and use empathy to better understand the needs of stakeholders
Develop and test prototypes that address social sector challenges

Learning Outcomes

Develop a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the social sector
Learn how to apply design thinking principles to solve social sector challenges
Gain hands-on experience conducting user research and prototyping solutions

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

No prior knowledge or experience required
Access to a computer and the internet

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

Similar Courses

Design Thinking for Innovation
Designing for Social Innovation and Leadership

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Tim Brown
David Kelley
Jeanne Liedtka

Related Books

Description

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.

Knowledge

What design thinking is and when to use it
How to prepare to see and take action when opportunity arises
How to use design thinking to generate innovative ideas
How to take the many ideas you generate and determine which ones are likely to produce specific, desired outcomes

Outline

DESIGN THINKING FUNDAMENTALS
Welcome to the Course!
What is Design Thinking?
Why is Design Thinking Important?
How is Design Thinking Different?
Four Questions Animation
Four Questions and What Is?
Four Questions: What If? What Wows? What Works?
Kingwood Intro
Kingwood and What Is?
Kingwood and What If, What Wows, What Works
Dealing with Complex Social Systems
Visualization
Six Abilities That Matter Most
Catalyzing a Conversation for Change
Week 1 Design Thinking Fundamentals Quiz

BEFORE YOU BEGIN, AND ASKING "WHAT IS?"
Week 2 Overview
Introduction to What Is?
Kingwood Trust: Ethnography Part 1
Kingwood Trust: Ethnography Part 2
Monash University Medical Centre Intro
Monash Looks at What Is
Journey Maps and Unmet Customer Needs
Four Things to Know About Journey Maps
Journey Map Example: The Whole Aquarium
More Journey Map Examples
Journey Maps: My Favorite Tool
Assessing and Expanding Your Repertoire
Week 2 Before You Begin, And Asking "What Is?" Quiz

A MINDSET FOR INNOVATION, AND ASKING "WHAT IF?"
Week 3 Overview
Introduction to What If?
The Challenge of Possibility: Geoffrey and George, Part 1
The Challenge of Possibility: Geoffrey and George, Part 2
Intro to Iveragh, Kerry Part 1
Iveragh and What If, Kerry Part 2
The FDA Intro
FDA Design Thinking Description
Stakeholder Mapping
Stakeholder Example
Storytelling
Week 3 A Mindset For Innovation, And Asking "What If?" Quiz

ASKING "WHAT WOWS?" AND "WHAT WORKS?"
Week 4 Overview
Intro to What Wows: Assumption Testing
Whiteriver Part 1: First Assumptions
Whiteriver Part 2: Reassessing Assumptions
Intro to What Wows: Prototyping
MasAgro: Creating a Space for Experimentation
MasAgro's Hub System
MasAgro's Innovation Network
Intro to What Works
Monash Learning Launch
Monash Initiative: Long Patient Stays
Integrating DT Across Monash Organization
Reviewing Our Lessons
Actions for Impact
Indian Health Service (IHS) Hospital Check-in Redesign
Agile Psychological Medicine Clinic
Design Thinking Opportunity: Assignment Overview
Design Thinking Opportunity: Assignment Rubric
Identifying a Design Thinking Opportunity
Week 4 Asking "What Wows" and "What Works" Quiz

Summary of User Reviews

The Design Thinking for the Social Sector course from UVA Darden on Coursera has received positive reviews from users. Many have found the course to be engaging and practical, providing useful insights and tools for applying design thinking to social issues.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Practical and applicable insights and tools for design thinking in social sector

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging and interactive course structure
Clear and concise explanations of design thinking principles
Real-world case studies and examples provided
Opportunities for collaboration and feedback with peers
Instructors are knowledgeable and responsive to questions

Cons from User Reviews

Course may be too basic for those with prior design thinking experience
Some users found the course content to be repetitive
Limited opportunities for personalized feedback from instructors
Course assignments and deadlines may be challenging for some learners
Course may not provide in-depth analysis of specific social issues

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