Design Thinking and Project Management

University of Sussex
Brighton, England, United Kingdom
GB
Gary Bell He / Him
senior lecturer
1
Timeline
  • June 6, 2023
    Experience start
  • June 7, 2023
    Project Scope Meeting
  • June 14, 2023
    Half Review
  • June 19, 2023
    Experience end
Experience
3/4 project matches
Dates set by experience
Preferred companies
Anywhere
Any company type
Any industries
Categories
Change management Operations Project management Environmental sustainability
Skills
innovation project management problem structuring methods systems thinking design thinking scrum (agile) sustainablity
Learner goals and capabilities

Looking to improve your organization, and bring about change to the next level? Bring on students from University of Sussex to be your student-consultants, in a project design thinking-based experience. There is an emphasis upon strategy, co-creation, product and process design, value and benefits which are associated with the front-ending of the project life-cycle. The aim is to identify desirable, feasible and viable projects. Students will work on a project over the course of a two week period, connecting with you as needed with virtual communication and collaborative tools.

Students in this program/course will gain both creative and critical skills to help you imagine and plan projects in today’s highly complex and uncertain business and economic environment. Students are taught and supervised by leading innovation and project management experts in the University of Sussex Business School. This course draws on expertise from SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit. Within an environment that values innovation and sustainability, they’ll learn to imagine and plan projects effectively and efficiently.

Learners
Post-graduate
Any level
80 learners
Project
40 hours per learner
Learners self-assign
Teams of 4
Expected outcomes and deliverables

Deliverables are negotiable, and will seek to align the needs of the students and the organization.

Some final project deliverables might include:

  1. A 10-15 minute presentation on key findings and recommendations
  2. A detailed report including their research, analysis, insights and recommendations
Project timeline
  • June 6, 2023
    Experience start
  • June 7, 2023
    Project Scope Meeting
  • June 14, 2023
    Half Review
  • June 19, 2023
    Experience end
Project Examples

Students in groups of 3-5 will work with your company to identify your needs and provide actionable recommendations, based on their in-depth research and analysis.

Project activities that students can complete may include, but are not limited to:

  • Managing complex projects
  • Managing risk and innovation
  • Applying design thinking for project management
  • Applying advanced project management practices
  • Agile (scrum) Project Management
  • Traditional Project Management
Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:

Be available for a quick phone/virtual call with the instructor to initiate your relationship and confirm your scope is an appropriate fit for the course.

Provide a dedicated contact person who is available for weekly/bi-weekly drop-ins to address students’ questions as well as periodic messages over the duration of the project.

Provide an opportunity for students to present their work and receive feedback.

Provide relevant information/data as needed for the project.

How is your project relevant to the course?