Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Design Thinking and Innovation Management
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
- in-class: at the beginning and/or during class breaks
- back office: prior confirmation by email (rcolombari@uic.es)
Introduction
In an increasingly competitive business environment, technological innovation plays a fundamental role in enabling organizations to compete and survive (or even emerge). The ability to introduce innovative products and business models becomes essential not only to captivate and retain customers but also plays a crucial role in solving social and environmental challenges. In this constantly evolving context, it is imperative to equip future professionals with the relevant tools and perspectives to lead a transformation towards more innovative approaches focused on user needs.
The course "Design Thinking and Innovation Management" focuses on introducing theoretical frameworks and methodologies that enable a rigorous approach to the development of innovative ideas, whether in established business environments or in the agile ecosystem of startups. The pillars of the subject focus on the development of innovation (with the Design Thinking methodology, supported by lean startup concepts, to ensure customer focus, and rigorous development of impactful innovations) and its management (innovation dynamics, protection through patents, evaluation of the level of technological maturity, etc.).
The essence of the course will be mainly based on a practical approach, focused on a project that will use concrete tools for idea generation and problem-solving. The combination of the methodology and tools of design thinking and lean management of technological innovation will allow students not only to conceive innovative ideas but also to plan and execute projects in a concrete and effective manner.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 26 - To comprehend and use the basic concepts of marketing and the main sectorial policies and understand the commercial environment in which these companies operate.
- 31 - To develop the ability to identify and interpret numerical data.
- 32 - To acquire problem solving skills based on quantitative and qualitative information.
- 33 - To be able to search for, interpret and convey information.
- 36 - To interpret quantitative and qualitative data and apply mathematical and statistical tools to business processes.
- 37 - To be able to apply managerial methods, tools and techniques.
- 39 - To acquire the ability to solve problems and make decisions based on relevant information, applying the appropriate methods and situating the problem within the organisation as a whole.
- 41 - To be able to descriptively summarise information.
- 42 - To be able to empirically analyse financial phenomena.
- 48 - To be able to identify the information needs in order to manage the main departments within organisations.
- 51 - To develop decision making skills.
- 52 - To develop interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
- 53 - To acquire the skills necessary to learn autonomously.
- 54 - To be able to express one’s ideas and formulate arguments in a logical and coherent way, both verbally and in writing.
- 55 - To adopt good time management skills.
- 56 - To be able to create arguments which are conducive to critical and self-critical thinking.
- 59 - To skilfully use software and ICTs.
- 61 - To develop skills for adapting to new situations.
- 63 - To be able to analyse business related behaviour and decisions and evaluate them from an economic, social and ethical point of view.
- 64 - To be able to plan and organise one's work.
- 65 - To acquire the ability to put knowledge into practice.
- 66 - To be able to retrieve and manage information.
- 68 - To develop mechanisms that encourage sensitivity towards social welfare issues.
Syllabus
Technological Innovation Management
- Dynamics, paradigms, diffusion
- Product development phases, TRL (Technology Readiness Level)
- Protection of intellectual property
- Case studies of success and failure, strategies
Design Thinking and Lean Startup for customer-centric Innovation
- Identifying and defining current problems and solutions (PESTEL analysis, stakeholder analysis, moonshot thinking, customer personas, patent/sector analysis, etc.)
- Developing and defining innovative solutions (ideation techniques, SWOT analysis, multi-criteria analysis, value proposition, competitive advantages, etc.)
- Developing innovative business models: Traditional Business Model Canvas and Lean Canvas
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Given the practical nature of this course and in accordance with the business perspective, the teaching method combines theoretical readings and practical development, in teams of 4-5 students, of a project carried out through homework and in-class activities. The presentation sessions include presentations, questions and feedback, and the entire team must be present. In the classes, there will be a frontal part (theoretical concepts, methodologies, tools, video viewing, examples of practical cases, etc.) and a practical part (activities, exercises, project progress in the group with access to tutorials). Individual reports will also be made to reflect on the project in its phases.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Los puntos se asignarán a varias actividades de la siguiente manera:
40% proyecto en grupos (PG)
- 20% evaluación continua, 5% por cada fase del DT; se evaluan:
- presentaciones intermedias
- calidad del trabajo en clase
- 20% presentación final; se evaluan:
- capacidad de implementar feedback a lo largo de las fases
- uso correcto de todos los conceptos vistos en clase
- calidad de la presentación
- necesario para aprobar toda la asignatura: suficiencia en ambas partes de este apartado
- evaluación continua: en caso de insuficiencia en una de las fases, no se recupera y habrá que compensar en las otras fases
10% actividades individuales (AI)
- 2.5% x 4 entregas de reflexiones sobre el proyecto
- necesario para aprobar toda la asignatura: suficiencia en cada entrega
- se puede recuperar una entrega insuficiente con una segunda entrega
20% asistencia y participación en clase (AP)
- 15% asistencia y atención (A)
- test sobre los contenidos de la clase
- presencia en el aula (las ausencias justificadas no suben esta nota)
- 5% participación activa (P)
- +1% cada intervención/contribución positiva en clase
- necesario para aprobar toda la asignatura: máximo 2 ausencias no justificadas en las 13 sesiones (el total sería quince, pero las primeras dos no cuentan, al ser periodo de cambios de matrículas)
30% examen final (EF)
- repuestas abiertas y test multirespuesta sobre contenidos vistos en clase y aplicados al proyecto
- necesario para aprobar toda la asignatura: 5 de 10 en el examen final (EF ≥ 5/10)
Nota* = 0.4 x PG + 0.1 x AI + 0.2 x AP + 0.3 x EF
* en caso de no llegar al mínimo necesario en cualquier de los apartados, la nota final de la asignatura se calificará con el valor más bajo entre 4.0 y la nota que resulte de la media ponderada.
Segunda convocatoria:
- 100% Examen
- máxima nota posible: 7/10
- Volver a entregar las entregas insuficientes; para aprobar la asignatura, todas deben estar suficientes
Normas generales:
- Si un estudiante no puede asistir a una sesión por causa de fuerza mayor (emergencia médica y/o familiar), debe informar al profesor con la debida anticipación (24 horas). La ausencia justificada a una sesión no implica que se exima de la entrega de las asignaciones previstas en esa fecha.
- Abandonar el aula antes de que finalice la clase es perturbador; si un estudiante absolutamente necesita hacerlo, debe obtener permiso antes o al comienzo de la clase. Entrar al aula después de que empiece la clase es perturbador; se permite entrar a clase durante los primeros 15 minutos de cada una de las dos horas (el profesor puede registrar una ausencia en caso de retraso)
- Todas las actividades serán evaluadas por su contenido y por su presentación. Se espera que tengan un adecuado nivel de calidad en ambos sentidos y que se entreguen a tiempo; los días de retraso en la entrega de una actividad suponen la pérdida de nota (un punto por día de retraso).
- Los teléfonos móviles están estrictamente prohibidos en actividades de evaluación. Si un alumno utiliza un móvil o dispositivo similar en una evaluación (a menos que el profesor lo permita explícitamente) será expulsado de la misma y tendrá como nota 0 puntos. Se aplicará la misma penalización si se detecta plagio en cualquier entrega y examen.
Bibliography and resources
- Maurya, Ash. Running Lean. Cómo iterar de un plan A a un plan que funciona. Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, 2014, 978-84-16125-09-8
- Osterwalder, Alexander, and Yves Pigneur. Business model generation: a handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
- Ries, Eric. The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses. New York: Crown Business, 2011.