Design Thinking: A Solution-Based Approach for Strategic Planning

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Registration is closed. Thank you for your interest.

8:30 - 9:00am - Networking and Coffee
9am - Noon - Workshop

Half-Day Workshop: $90

About this session: Design is a solution-finding approach to solving problems using collective creativity to strengthen individuals, teams and organizations. In this highly-interactive session, participants will learn how to utilize human-centered design tools for implementing strategic plans. Learn about design tools such as logic modeling, statement starters and problem tree analysis to understand and redefine challenges, and identify viable, strategic solutions for leadership, innovation and program planning.

Who Should Participate: This workshop is suitable for program, evaluation and organization leaders.

About the Presenter:   Jennifer R. Madden, PhD, MNO, Assistant Professor of Management and Marketing and Director of the Master (MSc) of Business Design and Innovation program at Carthage College; President, Leverage Point Development

Jennifer is a researcher, teacher, facilitator and design thinker. In her work with community-based nonprofit organizations, she assists with strategic planning, resource development, and capacity building. Jennifer holds a Ph.D. from the Weatherhead School of Management, a master’s in nonprofit management, and a bachelor’s in both economics and American studies, all from Case Western Reserve University. Jennifer is a Nonprofit Management Research Fellow, a Fowler Sustainability Fellow and a Management Design Fellow. Her current research is on designing effective public-private partnerships then leveraging those collaborations to build capacity for effective performance and social innovation.

Her new book, Inter-Organizational Collaboration by Design in the Routledge Critical Studies in Public Management Series, examines how collaborations can overcome barriers to innovate and rejuvenate communities outlining the factors and antecedents that influence successful collaboration. The book proposes a theoretical perspective for collaborators to adopt the language of designers, evidence-based tools, and strategies to enable success. The book outlines her journey from research to action resulting in a “Collaboration Blueprint” that assisted community-based nonprofit organizations to secure over $13.5 million in grant funding.