The Innokick Master's study plan is structured into six distinct phases that correspond to the phases of the Design Thinking process. This study plan enables students to acquire a portfolio of skills for each phase.
EmpathyThe empathy phase of the Innokick Master's programme is an essential step in the Design Thinking process, aimed at gaining a deep understanding of the needs, desires and constraints of the stakeholders involved in an innovation project. The courses in this phase cover ecosystemic thinking, question thinking, innovation culture and empathy methods for innovation.
By the end of this phase, students will have developed their curiosity, critical thinking and entrepreneurial posture. They will also have acquired the ability to research, synthesise and analyse information relevant to their projects, taking into account societal and technological trends, as well as the needs of customers and users. | PrototypingAfter selecting the most promising ideas, teams enter the prototyping phase. They develop simplified, tangible versions of the solutions they've considered, enabling them to test various approaches quickly and at a low cost. Courses during this phase cover topics such as frugal design, eco-design, interdisciplinary project and team management, and prototyping.
By the end of this stage, students will be able to select and apply agile methods to optimize the development of prototypes with the available resources. They will also be capable of creating a digital, physical, or service prototype using appropriate technologies, processes, and materials. |
DefinitionAfter gathering information during the empathy phase, the next crucial step is to define the problem to be solved. Problem definition requires managing the diverse perspectives of stakeholders and synthesizing the incoming data for the project. It is also essential to consider the risks and opportunities inherent in the innovation process. Courses in this phase primarily focus on understanding the strategic environment, applying a participatory approach, and mastering synthesis and problematization.
By the end of this stage, students will be able to anticipate and manage divergences to facilitate a participatory process. They will also be proficient in applying both quantitative and qualitative approaches within an interdisciplinary innovation context. Additionally, students will be able to synthesize the information gathered to clearly define the problems to be solved or the opportunities to be developed. | TestAfter prototypes are developed, they are tested with end users to gather valuable feedback. This step allows for concept validation, identification of weaknesses, and implementation of improvements before final deployment. Courses in this phase focus on simulation models, evaluation methods, user experience, and regulatory aspects.
Bythe end of this phase, students will be able to establish protocols to test and validate design hypotheses with stakeholders. They will also be capable of assessing the risks, impacts, and performance of innovation projects, considering societal and environmental factors. |
IdeationDuring the ideation phase, teams explore a wide range of creative ideas to address the identified problem. The goal is to encourage divergent thinking to generate as many potential solutions as possible, followed by selecting and promoting the most promising ones. Courses in this phase focus on creativity techniques, co-creation, open innovation, and methods for evaluating ideas.
By the end of this phase, students will be able to effectively mobilize and combine creativity tools, thus promoting an environment conducive to conducting a process of ideation and evaluation of ideas. | ImplementationOnce the solutions have been tested and validated, they are ready for market implementation. This phase involves planning and executing the deployment of the solutions while remaining adaptable to necessary adjustments and evolutions. Courses in the implementation phase cover change management, ecosystems, financing innovation, marketing and communicating innovation, and participatory leadership.
By the end of this phase, students will be able to develop implementation scenarios that incorporate economic, technical, and social considerations. They will also be proficient in communicating effectively to promote innovation. |