81534 Problem Framing
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Subject handbook information prior to 2019 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
In this subject students have the opportunity to advance their innovation skills by exploring a self-selected complex problem from their own professional practice and developing an innovation strategy in response. Students use frame creation, a design-based innovation methodology, as the guiding framework over the course of the program. Students learn to apply design research methods to map out the nature and perspectives of the chosen problem; they design and facilitate an engagement process to open new, shared understanding. The subject culminates with students producing a proposed framing or course of action towards resolving their chosen problem. Students are guided in this process through videos, animations, readings, guided exercises, online group discussions and peer feedback.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Clearly describe a current problem situation within its context. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Reflect on underlying paradoxes, challenges and complexity that is impacting on the ability to solve the problem. |
| 3. | Engage and collaborate with stakeholders and colleagues in an innovation project. |
| 4. | Conduct research to collect information relevant to the problem. |
| 5. | Analyse data to identify patterns and develop insights. |
| 6. | Conduct a thematic analysis individually and through leading a group process. |
| 7. | Create and develop understanding of new frames that seek to change how the problem situation is viewed and open new opportunities for resolution. |
| 8. | Test and critique new frames for their utility in motivating innovation in the context. |
| 9. | Present project information to an audience in a manner that engages and informs them to aid their productive involvement in the project. |
| 10. | Reflect and develop own practices to improve impact as a professional within the public sector. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- address problem situations with an attitude that is open, experimental, empathetic and ethical (A.1)
- communicate and collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team to develop innovative cross-disciplinary interventions (C.1)
- develop and evaluate different frames (perspectives) on problem situations that open up new directions for solutions (I.1)
- reflect on the problem solving and innovation practice of own organisation and indicate the position of the practice within the broader public sector innovation landscape (P.1)
- recognise the nature of open, complex, dynamic and networked problems to be able to identify problem situations that require a design-based innovation approach (R.1)
- conduct research to develop a deep understanding of problem situations and the needs, interests and values of multiple stakeholders (R.2)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject also contributes to the faculty's five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (see 'Graduate Attribute Development') through the following course intended learning outcomes:
- Communicate and collaborate effectively to develop innovative cross-disciplinary interventions (C-1)
- Be able to address problem situations with an attitude that is open, experimental, empathetic and ethical (A-1)
- Develop and evaluate different frames on problem situations that open up new directions for solutions (I-1)
- Reflect on the problem solving and innovation practice of own organisation and indicate the position of the practice within the broader public sector innovation landscape (P-1)
- Recognise the nature of open, complex, dynamic and networked problems to be able to identify problem situations that require a design-based innovation approach (R-1)
- Conduct research to develop a deep understanding of problem situations and the needs, interests and values of multiple stakeholders (R-2)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject students will be taught a design-based innovation methodology known as Frame Creation. All the modules in this subject will be taught online and will be a blend of:
· animations to illustrate each step of the frame creation journey
· videos to give more detail on the design concepts
· online follow-up exercises.
· online group discussions
· reading material
Content (topics)
· Understanding of the theoretical bases for frame creation
· Learning through experimentation and prototyping
· Exploring deep human values through thematic analysis
· Techniques for facilitation of problem framing
· Pitching a solution space
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Initial Problem Statement
| Intent: | To elicit the established view of the problem situation. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2 and 9 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1 and R.1 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Maximum 1000 words |
| Criteria: | This task will be assessed on clarity of the problem statement and quality of description of the context. |
Assessment task 2: Paper on a theme
| Intent: | To deepen understanding of uncovered core themes through application of hermeneutic phenomenology methods. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 10, 5, 6 and 7 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): P.1 and R.2 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 4 pages in length |
| Criteria: | This task will be assessed on quality of communication and insightfulness of the analysis. |
Assessment task 3: Problem Framing
| Intent: | To progress your industry project by developing new ways of conceptualizing your chosen problem and its potential resolution. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: , 10, 3, 7, 8 and 9 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.1 and I.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Criteria: | This task will be assessed on:
|
Required texts
1. Dorst, K., Kaldor, L., Klippan, L. and Watson, R., Designing for the Common Good, BIS Publishers, Netherlands
2. Dorst, K. (2015). Frame Innovation. MIT Press
3. Dorst, K. (2017). Notes on Design: How Creative Practice Works. Amsterdam, BIS Publishers
Recommended texts
Each online module has a reading list at the end of recommended readings. Your tutor will advice on which are the most useful.
