MOOC Idea Generation Methods: Apply Methods for the Innovation Process on a Self Chosen Topic

The MOOC ‘Idea Generation Methods’ aims to explain techniques for the goal and process oriented generation of ideas. Idea generation is part of the fuzzy front end of the innovation process. Participants have the possibility to work on specific innovation topics in the area of sustainable energy.

Dr. Daniel J. Koch will impart a broadly diversified knowledge of the methods used in idea generation and he will show you how you can use them by your own. The MOOC is offered by InnoEnergy, the European company for innovation, business creation and education in sustainable energy and was produced by the Center for Technology-Enhanced Learning (ZML) at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).

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The course language is English, and the workload is about 4h/week. The aim of the course is to enable participants to apply methods of idea generation on their own project.

What will I learn?

Participants will be able to understand and apply certain methods of idea generation on any self-chosen topic. For example, participants will understand and will be able to apply methods like Mindmapping & Clustering, 6-3-5, World Cafe & DeBono Hats, Concept Mapping, Scenario Techniques (e.g. STEEP), Roadmapping and many more in a structured process.

What do I need to know?

No prior knowledge is necessary. You just need to be curious about Idea Generation Methods and have an interesting topic you would like to develop further.

Course Structure

The course consists of 7 chapters:

Chapter 1 - The sketch in your head
Strategic innovation management, Idea generation process, Innovation process and Fuzzy front end

Chapter 2 - Landscape or portrait?
Defining your Search Space: Context Definition, Agenda setting, Problem representation, incl. Clustering, MindMapping, 6-3-5, World Café, Concept Map…

Chapter 3 - What’s my perspective?
Scenario Method Part 1 - Defining the Scenario topic, STEEP Analysis, Influence factors and descriptors, Stakeholder analysis…

Chapter 4 - Using watercolor or oil? 
Scenario Method Part 2 - Present situation and Future assumptions, Mainstream & Understream Scenarios, Wild Cards, SWOT, Proposals for Action

Chapter 5 - What to draw when?
Scenario-based Roadmapping: Introduction, Market-, Product- and Technology Perspectives, Analysis of Needs and Potentials, Additional methods

Chapter 6 - Sketching your picture (1)
Establishing your Roadmap - Layers and Time axis, Collecting developments, Consistency Analysis and Evaluation

Chapter 7 - Sketching your picture (2)
Intuitive idea generation, Quality function deployment, Nutshell Ideas, Extension of Roadmaps

Duration

The MOOC has a duration of 7 weeks.

Next Run

Start: April, 11th 2017

Registration

If you want to enroll for this MOOC please visit the course room on ISE.

The first run of the MOOC was a huge success with more than 15.800 enrolled users. Come on and join us! Learn to develop your own idea.