Basics of Design Research (Pilot Q1/2016)

In this course, you’ll learn techniques, tricks, and strategies from SAP’s design research experts that will help you get the most out of your research experience. From identifying users through conducting a field visit to developing points of view, this course will provide you with a foundation for conducting design research in a people-centric way.

This course was retired in October 2023.

Self-paced since March 17, 2016
Language: English

Course information

Retired

This course was retired in October 2023.

Course Summary

In this course, you’ll learn techniques, tricks, and strategies from SAP’s design research experts that will help you get the most out of your research experience. From identifying users through conducting a field visit to developing points of view, this course will provide you with a foundation for conducting design research in a people-centric way.

In This Course You Will:

  • Learn to understand the relevance of design research in the development of quality products
  • Understand the roles of design researchers, moderators, and note-takers
  • Become familiar with the concept of empathy, which is key to understanding user needs
  • Learn the basics of design research: how to get ready for a field visit, how to run an interview, and how to capture and analyze your findings

Course Structure:

Each class is designed to support your learning

  • Video Lectures – Design thought leaders present topics with practical examples
  • Check Points – Short quizzes help you assess your understanding of the lectures
  • Further Reading and Resources – Links to additional materials as well as topic experts

Throughout the course, you will receive points for weekly challenges. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a document confirming course participation.

Course Characteristics

Course Contents

Week 1 – Introduction to the course:
Introduction of the teaching team and overview of design research, key terms, and roles

Week 2 – Planning and preparing how to get empathy:
Getting ready for a field visit

Week 3 – Interviews and observation:
Conducting a field visit: building a connection with the participant, having a conversation, and capturing the field visit

Week 4 – Analysis:
Analyzing your data through storytelling, clustering, building personas, and points of view

Target Audience

Anyone who wants to learn more about Design Research

Course contents

  • Course content no longer available

  • Week 1:

    Introduction to the course
  • Week 2:

    Planning and preparing how to get empathy
  • Week 3:

    Interviews and observation
  • Week 4:

    Analysis
  • I Like, I Wish:

    We Love Your Feedback … And Want More

Enroll me for this course

The course is free. Just register for an account on openSAP and take the course!
Enroll me now

Learners

Current
Today
290
Course End
Mar 17, 2016
209
Course Start
Feb 17, 2016
189

Certificate Requirements

  • Gain a Record of Achievement by earning at least 50% of the maximum number of points from all graded assignments.
  • Gain a Confirmation of Participation by completing at least 50% of the course material.

Find out more in the certificate guidelines.

This course is offered by

Andrea Anderson

Former VP Design Thinking, SAP User Experience Strategy

Andrea is a veteran of Design Thinking in software. With more than 10 years of practicing and teaching design thinking, she has applied the approach to software solutions, product strategy and services.

Andrea has been instrumental in leading the organizational transformation of SAP into an organization that practices Design Thinking throughout the world.

Lukas Schubsda

UX Researcher, SAP

Lukas Schubsda is the user research lead at Wrap Media, a mobile technology startup based in San Francisco. Previously he conducted user research at SAP, Google, and Intuit - Demandforce. He defines user research as the art and science of discovering and communicating valuable insights that emerge from studying, and empathizing with users of products, minimizing risk by validating or invalidating assumptions, and ultimately answering important questions that helps products and businesses succeed.

Sam Yen

Former Chief Design Officer, SAP

Sam had multiple roles at SAP: Chief Design Officer, Global Head of Design and User Experience, and prior to that he led the SAP AppHaus, an innovation team tasked with building new solutions, establishing new markets, and reaching new users for SAP. Sam initially joined SAP as a senior member of the Design Services Team, a group in the Office of the CEO tasked with accelerating the adoption of Design Thinking as a process for innovation and development of internal and external SAP products.

Cornelia Kinateder

Design Research Expert, SAP

Cornelia is a Design Researcher and Lead at the SAP office in Walldorf, Germany. With 10 years of experience, she is now a coach and expert in design research for SAP project teams and stakeholders worldwide. In addition to conducting, teaching, and adapting design research methods, she is considered a design research pioneer and veteran.

Carolin Flesch

Senior Design Researcher, SAP

Carolin is a Design Researcher and Trainer at the SAP office in Walldorf, Germany. In the last seven years, she has worked closely with many product teams, choosing and running different design research methods, analyzing qualitative data, and generating user-based product requirements. She also regularly teaches classes about design research at SAP.

George Kembel

Managing Director & Co-Founder, Stanford d.school

George is an entrepreneur and investor turned educator. He co-founded the d.school and now leads its global effort. Passionate about nurturing the creative potential of others, George spends his time working with students, teachers, leaders, and investors to unlock the latent innovative capacity of their teams and organizations.