About this course: The capstone project consists of a case study that must be addressed to complete the specialization. In the case study, you will be asked to assume the role of the incoming chief executive officer of a fictitious privately held medical device company. From the company’s standpoint, its customers are the clinics that use and dispense its products, rather than the end-users of the company’s products. The company is currently facing a range of challenges, including obstacles to access for world-wide users of the company’s product, as well as internal conflict about the company’s priorities and a new disruptive technology. You will be asked to help the board address key changes in the industry, by developing a strategy to meet these challenges. Specifically, you will submit artifacts responding to a series of challenges related to the case. The artifacts will be peer-assessed on how effectively you applied concepts and skills explored throughout the specialization, assessed your own skills as a leader, evaluated the data to help you make an informed decision, developed a customer-facing design process, and communicated your strategy to relevant stakeholders.

Created by: Northwestern University

Taught by: Greg Holderfield, Pentair - D. Eugene and Bonnie L. Nugent Clinical Associate Professor of Design, Director of the Segal Design Institute, Co-Director of the MMM Program
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science (Segal Design Institute)
Taught by: Ed Colgate, Allen and Johnnie Breed University Design Professor, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the Engineering Design and Innovation Masters Program at the Segal Design Institute
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
Taught by: Pam Daniels, Clinical Assistant Professor, Design Innovator in Residence
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Segal Design Institute)
Taught by: Sanjay Khosla, Adjunct Professor of Executive Education
Kellogg School of Management
Taught by: Florian Zettelmeyer, Nancy L. Ertle Professor of Marketing, Director, Program on Data Analytics at Kellogg
Kellogg School of Management
Taught by: Greg Carpenter, James Farley/Booz Allen Hamilton Professor of Marketing Strategy, Director of the Center for Market Leadership, Faculty Director, Kellogg Markets and Customers Initiative (KMCI)
Kellogg School of Management
Taught by: Hud Englehart, Faculty
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
Taught by: Ernest Duplessis, Faculty
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
Taught by: Daniel J. O’Keefe, Owen L. Coon Professor
Department of Communication Studies, School of Communication
Taught by: Leigh Thompson, J. Jay Gerber Distinguished Professor of Dispute Resolution and Organizations
Kellogg School of Management
Taught by: Elizabeth Gerber, Associate Professor, Co-director of the Research Cluster at the Segal Design Institute
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science (Segal Design Institute), School of Communication, Kellogg School of Management (by courtesy), School of Education and Social Policy (by courtesy)
Taught by: Tom Collinger, Executive Director Spiegel Research Center
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
Taught by: Barbara O'Keefe, Dean of the School of Communication; Professor of Communication Studies; Annenberg University Professor
School of Communication
Taught by: Candy Lee, Professor
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications

Basic Info	Course 6 of 6 in the Organizational Leadership Specialization.
Commitment	8 weeks of study, 2-4 hours/week
Language	English
How To Pass	Pass all graded assignments to complete the course.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Welcome to the Capstone

This capstone project will put all that you have learned in Northwestern University's Organizational Leadership Specialization to the test by asking you to address a series of challenges related to a case study.

1 video, 4 readings

Video: Introduction to the Capstone with Dean Blount
Reading: Steps to Complete This Module
Reading: Meet Your Professors
Reading: Capstone Grading & Logistics
Reading: Module 1 Case Study

WEEK 2

Shaping a Culture that Supports Growth and Innovation

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to assess the current culture and devise a plan for shaping a culture that supports growth and innovation for the company in the case study.

2 readings

Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
Discussion Prompt: Module Two Discussion Prompt

Graded: Shaping a Culture that Supports Growth and Innovation

WEEK 3

Discovering Opportunities

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to discover opportunities for growth and innovation for the company in the case study.

2 readings

Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
Discussion Prompt: Module Three Discussion Prompt

Graded: Discovering Opportunities

WEEK 4

Defining and Taking Advantage of Opportunities

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to define and take advantage of opportunities for the company in the case study.

2 readings

Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
Discussion Prompt: Module Four Discussion Prompt

Graded: Defining and Taking Advantage of Opportunities

WEEK 5

Communicating with Your Audience

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to develop a plan for effectively communicating with the audiences relevant to your primary opportunity for the company in the case study.

2 readings

Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
Discussion Prompt: Module Five Discussion Prompt

Graded: Communicating with Your Audience

WEEK 6

Crisis Response

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to create a crisis response plan for the company in the case study.

2 readings

Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
Discussion Prompt: Module Six Discussion Prompt

Graded: Crisis Response

WEEK 7

Leading People and Fostering Collaboration

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to address issues regarding leading people and fostering collaboration for the company in the case study.

2 readings

Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
Discussion Prompt: Module Seven Discussion Prompt

Graded: Leading People and Fostering Collaboration

WEEK 8

Capstone Wrap-Up

Congratulations! You have completed Northwestern University's Organizational Leadership Specialization. Please take some time to reflect on your experience and respond to your peers in the discussion forums.

1 video

Video: Conclusion to the Capstone with Dean Blount

FAQs

How It Works

Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from Your Peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

Creators

Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, and Doha, Qatar. Northwestern combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries.

Pricing

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Organizational Leadership Capstone

Organizational Leadership Capstone

Organizational Leadership Capstone