Design Thinking and Start-up Launch
PROF. XUE PEI; PROF. JEAN-FRANÇOIS DE JAEGHER
COURSE AIMS AND INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
The course aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of design
methods specific to the so-called Design Thinking (DT) approach and methods and
instruments for creating a Business idea and writing a Business Plan.
“Module 1 - Design Thinking for responsible innovation ” will introduce the
theoretical framework of the DT approach and process, illustrating the “schools of
thought”. As a diversified approach to innovation, the teaching of DT will train
students to break down the traditional management cognition for framing, defining,
and developing a design mindset for identifying business opportunities and
developing new value-creating logics and processes.
In “Module 2 - Developing a business plan for a new venture” students will develop
and evaluate a new entrepreneurial project. Throughout the module, students will be
required to follow the start-up process till the development of a Business plan.
At the end of Module 1, students will be able to:
– dive into a design mindset with critical thinking, merging DT methods in their
activities for elaborating an iterative and explorative process.
– experiment with design tools for research, ideation and prototyping through an
iterative and explorative approach
– acquire know-how on the creative process and operational plan, a necessary skill
in multidisciplinary working environments.
– articulate and communicate project research roads with a critical thinking
capability.
At the end of Module 2, students will be able to:
– analyze and assess the potential of a new business opportunity.
– develop a concise and compelling value proposition.
– design the basic characteristics of the new venture structure.
– engage in basic financial modelling and financial assessment for the new venture.
– write and present a Business Plan.
COURSE CONTENT
The course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge of:
– primary design methodologies and evolution of design thinking (overview).
– tools and methods used within the DT approach for the entrepreneurship
curriculum (perspectives).
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