Project leadership
15 days spread over 6 months
Design thinking
Learn how to integrate design thinking into your projects to transform collaboration and stimulate innovation. Master concrete tools to put the user at the heart of decision-making and create collaborative dynamics adapted to the challenges of complex projects.
training informations
Short program (FC)
duration
3 days spread over 1 month
price
CHF 2’250
language
French
location
Onsite
internationally recognized
hands-on & practical course
Presentation of the program
The success of a project depends not only on its execution, but above all on the tangible benefits it brings to the organisation and its various stakeholders. It is therefore essential to design processes, products and services that create value for the organisation while being aligned with the real needs of its stakeholders. In this context, design thinking is a powerful approach for enhancing adaptability, fostering collaboration and channelling collective creativity for better project management.
What you will learn in this course :
- Identify implicit and explicit user needs using analysis and empathy tools, to solve alignment and communication challenges.
- Adopt an iterative and flexible approach, adapting resources and team dynamics at each stage of the project.
- Effectively manage divergence and convergence to explore innovative ideas, then transform them into concrete solutions aligned with the project's objectives.
- Reduce the risk of failure by rapidly validating your hypotheses using rapid prototyping, so you can adjust your course when necessary.
- Strengthen stakeholder commitment by integrating a user-led perspective at every stage of the project, thereby promoting clear objectives and fluid communication.
This course will enable you to transform your approach to project management by integrating the principles of adaptability, creativity and user focus. You'll learn to navigate complex challenges with agility and structure collaborative, innovative projects that maximise their organisational impact.
Learning objectives
- Analysing user needs using empathy tools to solve alignment and communication challenges.
- Design collaborative and iterative processes integrating divergence, convergence and rapid prototyping.
- Integrating the principles of design thinking to structure projects in line with organisational needs and objectives.
Target audience
- Project or portfolio managers wishing to adopt a user-centered approach.
- Managers or professionals seeking to develop a new culture favoring collective intelligence and agility.
- Anyone wishing to explore new ways of collaborating and communicating around a project.
About the program
This short program Design thinking was built for professionals seeking to learn about fundamental concepts and then practice them trough practical exercises. There is a strong emphasis on practical application supported by academic excellence, with the use of exercises and break-out groups, industry examples and guest speakers. The fundamental notions will be presented beforehand, then supplemented and illustrated by numerous practical exercises based on real cases .
This approach will allow the participants to deploy the concepts presented during the course as well as forging a strong analytical mindset to tackle future challenges they might face on .
our speakers
main program
Program's sessions
You can see all our open program sessions in Design thinking below. Click on the session you are interested in or check the full calendar.
May
2027
open
- full dates
- 20, 21 and 22 May 2027
- language
- French
- registration
- Before 15 April 2027
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The Executive Education HEC Lausanne offers more than 59 Open programs
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How do I better understand users' real needs?
The program teaches you to observe, listen, and ask questions differently. You use empathy tools to uncover needs that are sometimes unspoken. Instead of relying solely on internal assumptions, you test your ideas against real-world feedback. This approach helps you design projects that are more relevant and better aligned with actual expectations.
What is design thinking really for in a project?
It structures collaboration around user needs. You learn to alternate between open exploration phases and more focused decision-making moments. This dynamic fosters creativity while keeping a clear direction. The project gains in both coherence and impact.
Is this useful if my project is already well defined?
Yes, because even a well-scoped project can benefit from a user-centered perspective. You test your assumptions and verify that the proposed solutions genuinely create value. This allows you to adjust certain elements before they become costly to change.
How do I avoid building a solution that no one will use?
The program emphasizes rapid prototyping and early validation. You learn to test your ideas on a small scale before rolling them out widely. This approach reduces the risk of error and allows you to course-correct sooner.
How do I get people with different profiles to collaborate better?
Design thinking provides a clear framework for organizing exchanges. You structure divergence phases to generate ideas, then convergence phases to select and prioritize. This method encourages participation and limits unproductive discussions.
Does this approach work in complex environments?
Yes, it is particularly well suited to uncertain or cross-functional contexts. You learn to move forward in stages, test, and adjust. This flexibility helps you navigate complexity without losing sight of your objectives.
Is this accessible if I have never done design thinking before?
Yes. The tools are introduced gradually and applied to real-world cases. You practice during the program, which makes them easier to adopt. No technical prerequisites are needed to get started.
How quickly can I apply this method in my team?
You leave with simple tools you can integrate into your meetings or workshops. You can structure an ideation session, clarify a need, or test an idea as soon as you return to work. Over time, you build a more collaborative culture centered on the value you create.
What are the terms and conditions applicable to this course ?
The Design thinking course is subject to the terms and conditions available here
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tailor made advices
they speak about us
The quality of the training and the professionalism of the instructors are reflective of HEC Lausanne.
Benjamin Flachs
Former participant
select your session
May
2027
open
- full dates
- 20, 21 and 22 May 2027
- language
- French
- registration
- Before 15 April 2027