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Innovation Catalyst and Design

Course Description

This course exposes students of any background, interest, and passion to the practice of innovation. Drawing from interdisciplinary methods and tools from fields like design, engineering, the arts, social sciences, and business, this course is designed to immerse students into the concepts of cross-disciplinary, team-based project work as well as enhance core skills required to implement innovation and problem-solving. Specific topics will include theoretical frameworks for innovation and problem-solving, process models for understanding and addressing business or organizational challenges, and strategies/tactics for implementing innovative solutions. The course places a heavy emphasis on consultative approaches and experiential learning through site visits, case studies, or invited speakers.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
In addition to the Undergraduate Assignments and Projects, graduate students are required to complete the following: Second Case Study: Students will be provided with a business or organizational case study which they must analyze and propose potential solutions for individually. A 2-3 page write-up is expected for each assigned case study assignment. Innovator Interview: Student will engage with an industry professional who is a champion for innovation in his/her organization and conduct a 1-hour informational interview. The student will then present an overview of key points from this discussion (with slides) in a five-minute lightning talk. (Included in the “Field Study Reflection” grading category.)

Athena Title

Innovation Catalyst and Design

Semester Course Offered

Offered fall

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will develop, support, and effectively express ideas in oral form using language with clarity and precision.
  • Students will tailor communication strategy, style, and convention appropriately for various audiences and/or contexts.
  • Students will experiment and take risks to creatively solve problems and advance knowledge.
  • Students will synthesize and/or transform ideas in original ways.
  • Students will consider and incorporate alternative or contradictory perspectives in designing solutions.
  • Students will develop imaginative or original responses to a need or inspiration.

Topical Outline

  • Week 1: Course Introduction and Design Sprint - Team-Building Activity - Training Session: Working in Cross-Disciplinary Teams - Value Proposition Design, 1.1 – Customer Profile - Value Proposition Design Skills Pre-Assessment
  • Week 2: The Geography of Design Thinking and Innovation - Value Proposition Design, 1.2 – Value Map - Value Proposition Design, 1.3 – Fit - Change by Design, Chapters 1-2 - Introducing the Case Study Concept
  • Week 3: Frameworks for Innovation (Part 1) - Guest Speaker (TBA) - Value Proposition Design, 2.1-2.4 (Prototyping Possibilities, Starting Points, Understanding Customers, Making Choices) - Change by Design, Chapters 3-4
  • Week 4: Frameworks for Innovation (Part 2) - INNOVATION CASE STUDY - Value Proposition Design, 2.5-2.6 (Finding the Right Business Model, Designing in Established Organizations) - Change by Design, Chapters 5-6
  • Week 5: Innovation Field Study - Experiential Visit (ex. Chick-Fil-A Innovation Center) - Instructor Provides an Overview of Final Project Assignment
  • Week 6: Innovation Field Study - Experiential Visit (ex. UGA Innovation Gateway)
  • Week 7: The Innovation Process (Part 1): - DESIGN CHALLENGE #1 - Students Review and Discuss Case Study #1 - Students Receive Final Project Assignments - Value Proposition Design, 3.1-3.4 (What to Test, Testing Step-by-Step, Experiment Library, Bringing It All Together)
  • Week 8: The Innovation Process (Part 2): - Guest Speaker (TBA) - Value Proposition Design, 4 (Create Alignment, Measure and Monitor, Improve Relentlessly, Reinvent Yourself Constantly, Taobao: Reinventing eCommerce)
  • Week 9: Operationalizing Innovation – Taking it to Scale - DESIGN CHALLENGE #2 - Guest Speaker (TBA) - Change by Design, Chapters 7-9
  • Week 10: Catalyst Implementation Challenge - Canvas - Project Management Competency Emphasis
  • Week 11: Catalyst Implementation Challenge – Design/Test - Market Research Competency Emphasis
  • Week 12: Catalyst Implementation Challenge - Evolve - Business Analytics Competency Emphasis
  • Week 13: Catalyst Implementation Challenges – Wrap Up - Mini-Pitches and Peer Evaluations
  • Week 14: Catalyst Challenge Presentations - CATALYST CHALLENGE PROJECT
  • Week 15: Project AAR and Evolution - INNOVATION FIELD STUDY REFLECTION - INNOVATOR INTERVIEW PRESENTATION - Change by Design, Chapters 10-11 - Value Proposition Design Skills Post-Assessment
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