Master of Management Studies (M.M.S) Creativity and Design Thinking Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026

Course objectives

• 1 To introduce foundational concepts of creativity, innovation, and design thinking, emphasizing their value in problem-solving and ideation.
• 2 To train students in the use of empathy, observation, and visual mapping tools (e.g., empathy maps, journey maps, mind maps).
• 3 To facilitate the application of prototyping and feedback mechanisms through iterative experimentation.
• 4 To encourage analytical thinking by guiding students in identifying user pain points and validating solution feasibility.
• 5 To inspire innovation by integrating design thinking into organizational problem-solving and developing viable impact strategies.

Course outcomes

• CO1 (Understanding): Explain the fundamental concepts of creativity, innovation, design, and the principles and stages of design thinking.
• CO2 (Applying): Apply tools, techniques, and models of design thinking such as empathy maps, mind maps, journey maps, ideation, and prototyping to real-world problems.
• CO3 (Analyzing): Analyze customer/user needs, define key problems, and develop testable prototype-based solutions through iterative experimentation.
• CO4 (Evaluating): Evaluate the feasibility and user impact of design thinking solutions using feedback loops and testing strategies.
• CO5 (Creating): Develop integrated design thinking strategies that transform innovative ideas into impactful organizational solutions.

Unit 1 CO1 · 3 hours

Creativity, innovation and design - Core concepts of creativity, design and innovation Creative people, Creative organizations, & Creativity Impact– Case Analysis & Discussions Distributed creativity How diversity and collaboration through networks support the creativity process

Unit 2 CO1, CO2 · 3 hours

Design Thinking Overview: Concept of Design thinking; Importance of Design Thinking Method; Design Thinking Skills; Design Thinking Mind-set; Principles of Design Thinking; Design Think Process & Stages

Unit 3 CO1, CO2 · 3 hours

General Design Thinking Practices: Listening and Empathizing Techniques; Observation. Ideation Techniques - Brainstorming, innovation heuristics, behaviour models, Unpacking; Personas; Pattern Recognition and Connecting the Dots

Unit 4 CO1, CO2,CO3, CO4 · 6 hours

Visualization Techniques and Diagrams, Use of Diagrams and Maps in Design Thinking - Exercise: Create an Empathy Map; Exercise; Create an Affinity Diagram; Exercise: Create a Mind Map; Exercise: Create a Journey Map

Unit 5 CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4 · 3 hours

Prototype and Test Techniques; Types of Prototypes; Forms of Testing in Design Thinking

Unit 6 CO2,CO3, CO5 · 6 hours

Experiments Designing and executing experiments for value creation: Empathize with the Customers and/or Users - Exercise: Engage the Customer /User; Define the Problem - Exercise: Define the Point of View; Ideate - Exercise: Develop Potential Solutions & Feedback on the Solutions; Prototype Alternate Solutions - Exercise: Create a Prototype of the Solution & Review the Prototype and Gain Feedback; Test the Solutions

Unit 7 CO2,CO3, CO4, CO5 · 3 hours

Moving from ideas to impact Bring the ideas presented in this course together and show how organizations can create impact from ideas

Unit 8 CO2, CO3 CO4, CO5 · 3 hours

Cautions and Pitfalls: Assumptions &, Pitfalls, Cautions in Design Thinking Workgroups – Case Discussions

Text Books

• 1 Tim Brown, Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation, Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.
• 2 Idris Mootee, Design Thinking for Strategic Innovation, John Wiley & Sons Inc

Reference Books

• 1 Brenda Laurel, Design Research methods and perspectives MIT press
• 2 Terwiesch, C. & Ulrich, K.T., Innovation Tournaments: creating and identifying Exceptional Opportunities, Harvard Business Press.
• 3 Ulrich & Eppinger, Product Design and Development, McGraw Hill
• 4 Bjarki Hallgrimsson, Prototyping and model making for product design, Laurence King Publishing Ltd