Design Thinking: A Toolkit for Breakthrough Innovation
Kellogg School of Management
The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, founded in 1908 as the Northwestern University School of Commerce, is a private, university-affiliated business school located in Evanston, Illinois, with a presence in downtown Chicago. From its inception, Kellogg has fostered a culture of collaboration and analytical rigor, aiming to develop leaders who can navigate complex global challenges. The school's academic philosophy centers on a general management approach, emphasizing cross-functional understanding, practical application, and a strong focus on leadership development and innovation.Accreditations and RankingsAccreditations:AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) - accredited since 1916EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System) - accredited since 2004AMBA (Association of MBAs) - accredited since 2004Rankings:Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2024: #9Bloomberg Businessweek Best B-Schools (US) 2023-24: #1QS Global MBA Rankings 2024: #10U.S. News & World Report Best Business Schools 2024: #2 (tied)Executive Education at a GlanceKellogg School of Management's executive education programs are particularly known for their strengths in leadership, marketing, strategy, and innovation, reflecting the school's core academic expertise. The portfolio includes both open enrollment programs for individuals and custom programs tailored for organizations. Programs are delivered in various formats, including intensive in-person sessions at the Evanston and Chicago campuses, fully online courses, and blended learning experiences. Durations range from short, focused two-day workshops to multi-week certificate programs. Flagship offerings include the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and various Executive Scholar Certificate programs in areas such as Leadership, Marketing, and Finance. Open enrollment program costs typically range from approximately $5,000 for shorter online courses to over $70,000 for comprehensive multi-week programs like the AMP. Limited scholarships are available for select programs, often targeting non-profit leaders or specific underrepresented groups.Campus and FacilitiesKellogg's primary campus is the Global Hub in Evanston, Illinois, a modern, lakeside facility on the shores of Lake Michigan within Northwestern University's campus. This architectural landmark features flexible classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, and advanced technology designed to foster interaction and innovation among participants. The Global Hub's design encourages spontaneous collaboration and provides an immersive learning environment. Additionally, Kellogg maintains a presence in downtown Chicago at Wieboldt Hall, offering convenient access for professionals in the city's business district. The Evanston location provides a focused, collegiate atmosphere, while its proximity to Chicago offers participants access to a major global business hub, allowing for real-world application and networking opportunities within a diverse urban economy.Faculty and ResearchKellogg School of Management boasts a large and internationally diverse faculty, comprising scholars and practitioners recognized for their groundbreaking research and practical insights. The faculty's research strengths are particularly prominent in areas such as marketing, organizational behavior, finance, strategy, and entrepreneurship. Kellogg faculty are adept at bridging academic theory with real-world business challenges, ensuring that executive education participants gain actionable knowledge. The school is home to several notable research centers and institutes, including the Kellogg Center for Executive Women, the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, and the Center for Research in Technology & Innovation, all of which contribute to the curriculum and thought leadership in executive programs.Student Body, Alumni, and Career OutcomesKellogg's executive education cohorts are characterized by their international diversity, drawing participants from a wide range of industries, functions, and geographic regions. This rich mix fosters a dynamic peer-learning environment, where executives share varied perspectives and experiences. The Kellogg alumni network is extensive and influential, comprising over 65,000 individuals across more than 120 countries. Alumni hold leadership positions in major corporations, startups, and non-profit organizations globally, particularly concentrated in consulting, technology, finance, and consumer goods. While executive education programs do not typically offer formal career placement services, participants benefit from enhanced leadership capabilities, expanded professional networks, and the prestige of a Kellogg credential, which often supports career advancement and transitions into more senior roles.
Next Available Cohort
Choose your preferred start date
All-inclusive program fee
Duration
8 weeks
Format
online
Topic
Innovation
Language
English
About This Program
Why Kellogg School of Management?
Kellogg School of Management stands out for its distinctive emphasis on collaborative leadership, a deep integration of marketing and strategy, and a commitment to developing leaders who drive innovation. Its programs are designed for executives seeking to enhance their general management capabilities through a highly interactive and team-oriented learning environment.
Your Profile
- Product or service managers seeking an innovative, consumer-oriented strategy that minimizes the risk of bringing a new product to market by developing deep insights, rapid prototyping, and designing thoughtful experiments
- Designers who want to address people’s need (both stated and unstated) through creative thought processes and advance their careers with a hands-on certificate program
- Consultants who want to offer clients far more differentiated and disruptive solutions using a step-by-step method of problem solving and integrated design thinking approaches
- C-suite professionals, heads of business, and entrepreneurs who recognize that gaining an edge and increasing market share require re-imagining their businesses from the bottom up and wish to make design thinking an inherent philosophy in their organizations
- Individuals or teams that are developing transformational business models and searching for new ways to bring offerings to the market with lower risk and strong customer focus
Benefits
- Apply design thinking fundamentals to create solutions that are desirable, technologically feasible, and economically viable.
- Understand the complete design process, from inspiration to implementation, to transform ideas into innovative products or services.
- Gain practical experience with methods and tools like the Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) framework for customer discovery, synthesis, ideation, prototyping, and storytelling.
- Learn to use design thinking for conceiving innovative business models and forecasting trends.
- Develop individual creativity, overcome resistance to new ideas, and achieve advantages such as reduced time-to-market, lower costs, and increased market share.
- Implement design thinking as a rigorous, human-centered approach to creative problem solving across various functions, industries, and organizations.
What You'll Learn
- Module 1: Introduction to Design Thinking: Survey the fundamentals of design thinking and learn how they apply to solving business problems.
- Module 2: The Power of Why: Examine the functional, social, and emotional needs of users and stakeholders, and explore the connection between those needs and the decision-making process.
- Module 3: Translating Observations to Insights: Transform observations into meaningful insights that fuel innovation, using the process of synthesis.
- Module 4: Reframing Opportunities and Generating Ideas: Learn how to generate novel ideas using insights captured during synthesis.
- Module 5: Making Ideas Real: Discuss methods for prototyping ideas and testing their underlying assumptions.
- Module 6: Overcoming Resistance to New Ideas and Change: New ideas frequently encounter resistance, often from the very people they are meant to help. Use the principles of friction theory to recognize and address factors that hinder the customer journey.
- Module 7: Nontraditional Domains for Design Thinking: See how design thinking is making a difference in unexpected ways.
- Module 8: Designing Communications that Moves People: Apply creative techniques to design ways of communicating that are as unique as your ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Apply
- 1
Check your eligibility
Review the entry requirements listed on this page. Most executive programs require 8–15 years of professional experience.
- 2
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Send a message directly to Kellogg School of Management via Gradia to request a brochure or speak with an admissions advisor.
- 4
Prepare your application
Gather your CV, reference letters, and any required test scores. Many EMBA programs waive standardised tests for senior candidates.
- 5
Submit your application
Apply directly through Kellogg School of Management's official application portal.
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