In a world where next-to-impossible problems can feel like the norm, it doesn’t hurt to approach them in innovative, creative ways. Sauder decided to teach its MBA students how, by testing the idea of embedding design thinking into the first term of the MBA’s life at Sauder: the integrated core.
After an experimental workshop on the concept in spring 2010, the MBA Core Team resolved to find different ways weave design thinking into its curriculum.
When the full-time MBA cohort started in September, they completed Experience Point/IDEO’s Design Thinker simulation as a mandatory part of their orientation. The simulation, discussed here (link!), taught the students the vocabulary of the design thinking process at the beginning of their MBA journey.
It doesn’t stop there.
Moura Quayle has joined the full time MBA core professors to help students expand their thinking processes with a design thinking lens on topics from accounting to finance, marketing to HR.
Embedding the thinking construct into the core courses is no easy task. By sitting in on a selection of classes this semester, Quayle will learn more about the program. She is already collaborating with the other core professors to enhance the MBA core content with design thinking in a way that compliments the current material.
The process has given Sauder’s MBA students an approach to their cases and decision briefs that emphasizes users/clients and visual thinking.
Observation and insights, two major building blocks of the design thinking process, have been embraced by both faculty and students alike, Quayle said.
“It will be exciting to see the results of their next project,” she added.