EXECUTIVE PROGRAMS         All Programs          Custom Programs

Throughout this virtual program, you and your peers will dive into the methodology of design thinking and explore its applications to business strategy. Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, small-group workshops, discussions, and hands-on exercises, you will expand your perspective on strategic issues, discover ways to redesign your organization's strategy, and learn how to apply design thinking to drive and sustain business success.

The program takes place over eight weeks, with live, synchronous classes most Tuesdays and Thursdays (8:00 AM to 11:45 AM ET, including a 30-minute break), small group discussions for learning and networking, and an optional post-program virtual follow-up session to touch base on your personal and professional implementation. Class sessions will take place via the Zoom platform. You will also have ample opportunity for interaction with faculty and peers inside and outside the class sessions. Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups. We advise setting aside a total of 10-12 hours per week for program work in addition to the synchronous class sessions. Throughout this design strategy course, you and your peers will dive into the methodology of design thinking and explore its applications to business strategy. Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, small-group workshops, discussions, and hands-on exercises, you will expand your perspective on strategic issues, discover ways to redesign your organization's strategy, and learn how to apply design thinking to drive and sustain business success.

Understanding the innovation process Gaining a big-picture view of the innovation process Defining creativity and its essential role in innovation Building the foundation and structure for innovation success Exploring human-centered design Identifying and understanding what customers need and want in a product, service, or process Understanding who your target users are and how to reach them Examining techniques for achieving deep customer understanding Discovering areas of opportunity Overcoming barriers to innovation through problem framing Identifying problem frames using webbing, abstract ladders, and strategy frameworks Opening up new paths of thinking, redefining problems, and finding areas of opportunity Generating innovative ideas Exploring new approaches to innovative thinking and techniques for idea generation Examining the tools of Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT), including task unification, division, attribute dependency, and inversion Applying methods of structured ideation, such as the Nominal Group Technique, Round Robin, Creative Matrix, and Alternate Worlds Developing concepts Focusing on the critical role that prototyping, experimenting, and iteration play in developing ideas Understanding how failed experiments can reveal new options and lead to better final outcomes Examining methods of prototyping, such as wire framing, body storming, think-aloud testing, and simulation Exploring attribute-value mapping, design heuristics, concept poster, rose-thorn-bud, and critique

Upon acceptance into Reimagining Strategy, you will be asked to provide a short description of a current strategic problem or challenge facing your organization. Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to work on a strategy to address this issue and seek input from HBS faculty and peers—a process that can help to clarify the root cause of strategic issues and produce a more effective solution.

Three to four months after the program ends, you can participate in an optional virtual gathering with HBS faculty members and program participants. During this session, you and your peers will have the opportunity to discuss the status of your strategic projects and the implementation challenges you have encountered. You will share and receive feedback from faculty and peers as you rethink your strategic approach.