Singapore University of Social Sciences

Design Thinking for Social Innovation

Design Thinking for Social Innovation (NPM530)

Applications Open: 01 May 2025

Applications Close: 15 June 2025

Next Available Intake: July 2025

Course Types: Modular Graduate Course

Language: English

Duration: 6 months

Fees: $2640 View More Details on Fees

Area of Interest: Management

Schemes: Alumni Continuing Education (ACE), Postgraduate Alumni Continuing Education (PACE)

Funding: To be confirmed

School/Department: S R Nathan School of Human Development


Synopsis

The needs of community groups are constantly changing and evolving with technological advancement and demographic shifts. Social innovation is complex, and the involvement of multiple stakeholders complicate the implementation process. NPM530 Design Thinking for Social Innovation aims to empower leaders and practitioners in the non-profit, public, government and corporate sectors, to be more effective in designing and implementing innovative solutions for our communities. By developing deep empathy for your stakeholders and the communities you serve, you can more effectively collaborate to create interventions to advance the sector holistically.

Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JULY

Topics

  • Cognitive biases
  • Customer journey
  • Five components of Design Thinking
  • Idea generation
  • Sensemaking
  • Social innovation
  • Social outcomes
  • Trade-offs and portfolio of options
  • User engagement techniques
  • Observational techniques
  • User-driven criteria
  • Value creation

Learning Outcome

  • Examine the design thinking process to uncover insights and address the (latent) needs of priority segments and the community.
  • Experiment with the range of design thinking tools, methods and mindsets and test the appropriate tool for different process steps.
  • Construct insights into the social, emotional, and behavioural needs of your customers and key stakeholders.
  • Formulate innovative solutions and rapid prototyping using the design thinking process.
  • Discuss and incorporate the perspectives of diverse stakeholder groups in the solutioning process.
  • Solve real social challenges using human-centred design techniques.
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