INTRODUCTION
How to apply System Dynamics, Design Thinking, Lean and Agile Techniques
Successful businesses are making billions by recognizing the value of integrating “Design Thinking” and “System Dynamics” into their process.
Design thinking is applied to strategy and innovation and is concerned with solving problems through synthesis. It allows work on many possible solutions at once, breaking down complex issues into tangible ones that can be analyzed and solved. This method enables consideration of the problem from a variety of perspectives and speculates on both the past and future of the situation.
System Dynamics is useful in policy or strategy formulation, in rapidly changing or complex situations. It is used to solve problems by seeing the bigger picture as an additional tool to traditional analysis that is concerned with breaking a problem down to its constituent parts.
Both approaches can be used in addition to the scientific method of problem-solving which requires a highly-defined problem focused on delivering a single solution.
Participants will learn when and how to use System Dynamics, Design Thinking, Lean and Agile Methods as responses to the constant change in technology, population, and economic activity that are transforming the world, and increasing the complexity of today's business organizations.
This IRES training course covers the essential skills needed to explore a complex scenario and problem as a manager and strategic advisor. The training concentrates on the skills required to deploy systems dynamics and design thinking effectively and maximize their benefits as problem-solving approaches that deliver real business benefits in areas such as:
- Corporate growth, stagnation, and decline
- The adoption of new technologies
- Managing business cycles
- Supply chain design
- Product and project development
The Designing Solutions to Complex Business Problems techniques are normally applied to:
- Identify real issues in complex interconnected situations
- Gain increased productivity through business improvements in complex situations
- Examine long-term trends and alternative business solutions for harnessing radical innovations
- Focus on the key elements of complex scenarios
- Evaluate the best course of action through strategic problem solving
- Designing and implementing organizational change, as well as influence complex alliances, partnerships and other interfirm relationships.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- General managers and senior functional managers who coordinate diverse groups and groups of diverse individuals.
- Executives who manage training and education.
- Operation managers and human resources managers
- Directors of organizational development and corporate strategy
- Professionals in technology-intensive sectors
- Project Management professionals
- Engineers needing to grapple with a complex business context
Duration
5 days
Course Level:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand how to apply the system dynamics and design thinking methods to design policies that lead the organization to higher performance
- View problems from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders
- Explore powerful analytical tools and techniques that bring together different views
- Practice lean and agile analysis, planning and management techniques
- Judge and select a point of view in complex scenarios that correspond with the most typical and the most specific circumstances
- Participate in groups exploring familiar and new problems
- Evaluate long-term drivers for change and the potential actions against organizational needs
COURSE OUTLINE
Day 1: Introduction to Dealing with Complexity
- Introduction – the problem of problem-solving
- System Dynamics and Design Thinking –an overview
- Recognizing complex problems and complex solutions
- Characteristics of complex problems and the associated risks
- The modelling process – from understanding to design
- What does complexity mean in practice?
Day 2: Developing Strategic Scenarios
- Complexity in strategy, operations and projects
- The role of scenario planning
- The learning cycle in strategy development and implementation
- The role of strategic risk management
- Understanding the impact of partnerships and alliances on complexity and risk
- How can System Dynamics and Design Thinking help?
Day 3: System Dynamics Tools
- Recognizing and modeling causal loops
- The value of understanding Stocks and Flows
- Understanding complexity: System Dynamics in action
- Modeling growth (Innovation and New Product Development)
- Exploring the role of positive feedback on business growth
- Tools for modeling dynamic situations
Day 4: Design Thinking Tools
- What is Design Thinking? – Principles
- The IDEO approach
- A Design Thinking Process
- Applying Divergent and Convergent Thinking
- Applying Design Thinking Tools
Day 5: How to Create and Optimize Value
- Integrating System Dynamics, Design Thinking, Agile and Lean
- The power of visual thinking
- The role of prototyping, experiments and Kaizen
- Solving a difficult business problem in practice
- How to apply these methods in your organization
- Next steps and commitment to action
Related Courses
Course Administration Details:
Methodology
These instructor-led training sessions are delivered using a blended learning approach and include presentations, guided practical exercises, web-based tutorials, and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience as professionals and trainers in these fields. All facilitation and course materials are offered in English. Participants should be reasonably proficient in the language.
Accreditation
Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued an Indepth Research Institute (IRES) certificate certified by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
Training Venue
The training will be held at IRES Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and lunch. All participants will additionally cater to their travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
Accommodation and Airport Transfer
Accommodation and Airport Transfer are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training Officer.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +254715 077 817
Tailor-Made
This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our IRES Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +254715 077 817
Payment
Payment should be transferred to the IRES account through a bank on or before the start of the course. Send proof of payment to [email protected]
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