When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 4 modules in this course
This rigorous online course shows you how to use design to generate innovative business solutions. It starts by focusing on alternative design methodologies, including the non-negotiable essentials: design thinking methodology and jobs to be done. It then delves into strategies for choosing the right business model. This includes exploring value-creating and sustainable business models. After covering these foundational concepts, the course examines design tools that can be used to develop the business model in market by creating shared value and tips to manage the conversion funnel. The course concludes by looking at digital dynamics and providing insider tips to promote success.
To succeed in this specialization, you should be a professional with at least two to three years of experience in an organizational setting. Experience in a design role or working with designers is helpful.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Examine design thinking methodologies and essentials
- Choose a business model to maximize opportunity and manage shifts
- Assess challenges in the design process
- Develop solutions to design challenges and problems
In this week, you will explore design thinking and insight gaps. You'll start to think about what bias is and how to manage it in the design process. We'll outline the five stages of design thinking, and you'll gain insight into testing with a prototype. Finally, we'll consider why people hire and fire products or services as you discuss the relationship between design methodologies and the jobs to be done model.
Gaining Insight and Testing with a Prototype•3 minutes
Managing Bias in the Design Process•5 minutes
The Five Stages of Design Thinking•4 minutes
Guest Speaker Interview: Melanie Arens•7 minutes
Why We Hire and Fire Products•4 minutes
9 readings•Total 230 minutes
Welcome to the Course•30 minutes
Meet Your Faculty•10 minutes
Course Methodology and Assessment•30 minutes
Key Terms and Concepts•10 minutes
Bias and Prototype Testing•30 minutes
The Origins of Design Thinking•30 minutes
Human-Centered Design•30 minutes
Correlation versus Causality•30 minutes
Hiring and Firing Products•30 minutes
4 assignments•Total 120 minutes
Summative Quiz: Alternative Design Methodologies•30 minutes
Formative Quiz: The Non-Negotiable Essentials•30 minutes
Formative Quiz: The Design Thinking Methodology•30 minutes
Formative Quiz: Jobs to Be Done•30 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
Introductions•10 minutes
Driving Forces•10 minutes
Design and Jobs to be Done•10 minutes
Choosing a Business Model to Take Your Solution to Market
Module 2•5 hours to complete
Module details
In this week, you'll learn more about business models. We'll look at the difference between incremental change or radical innovation and the purpose of each. We'll look at specific examples of successful business model shifts and focus on the relationship between business models and product experience. You will learn about the three pillars of sustainable business models as well. You'll do this through an exploration of six types of business models. Finally, we'll discuss recommendations of business model shifts given a company's context.
Introduction to Choosing a Business Model to Take Your Solution to Market•1 minute
Incremental Change versus Radical Innovation•4 minutes
Guest Speaker Interview: Manoj Chiba•9 minutes
Successful Business Model Innovators•6 minutes
Sustainable Business Model Innovators•4 minutes
5 readings•Total 150 minutes
Types of Innovation•30 minutes
Six Business Models That Can Create New Value•30 minutes
Case Study - The Founder•30 minutes
What is a Sustainable Business Model?•30 minutes
Sustainable Business Models•30 minutes
4 assignments•Total 120 minutes
Summative Quiz: Choosing a business model to take your solution to market•30 minutes
Formative Quiz: Misidentification of the Opportunity Space•30 minutes
Formative Quiz: Six Business Models That Create New Value•30 minutes
Formative Quiz: Sustainable Business Models•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Defining Your Space•10 minutes
Design Tools to Evolve Your Business Model in Market
Module 3•4 hours to complete
Module details
In this week, you'll learn about the three types of fit: problem-solution fit, product-market fit, and commercial fit. You'll gain insight into how shared value is applied in the market, as well as discuss how business model selection impacts the creation of shared value. We'll introduce you to the concept of the conversion funnel, and share how this is applied through the design process. Finally, you'll learn about using heuristic analysis to identify problems and opportunities on the conversion funnel.
Conversion Funnels and Heuristic Analysis•30 minutes
4 assignments•Total 120 minutes
Summative Quiz: Design Tools to Evolve Your Business Model in Market•30 minutes
Formative Quiz: Business Design•30 minutes
Formative Quiz: Creating Shared Value•30 minutes
Formative Quiz: Managing Your Conversion Funnel•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Value and the Conversion Funnel•10 minutes
Pain Points and Success
Module 4•5 hours to complete
Module details
In this week, we'll explore the neuroscience behind cognitive load and user benefit. You'll look at the role of technology and consider how some companies and industries leverage cognitive load and increase user benefit well, and what happens if they're unable to do that. We'll explore analyses and perspectives on growth hacking. You'll recognize how to balance fast track delivery and innovation concurrently. Finally, we'll provide a few helpful tips for implementing design practices.
For more than a century, Parsons School of Design has been inspired by the transformative potential of design. Today, the school’s groundbreaking academic programs carry forward that mission, making Parsons the number one design school in the U.S. and among the top three globally. At the heart of a comprehensive university — The New School — Parsons draws on a range of academic fields to deliver a uniquely interdisciplinary education enriched by the resources of its home in New York City and branch campus in Paris. Here, the next generation of creative leaders engage in real-world learning and develop as critical thinkers and makers grappling with the pressing issues of our time.
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Reviewed on Apr 6, 2025
Really informative. All topics on this course are of inmensive use for my current work and they provided valuable insights that I can apply on my current role.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.