The course is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of how IT can be leveraged to create value for customers and the organization as a whole.
Throughout the course, learners will explore key topics such as customer empathy, customer discovery, design thinking, and agile methodology. They will learn how to conduct market research, analyze customer feedback, and build IT systems and products that are tailored to meet the needs of their target audience.
The course also covers how to create IT roadmaps, manage IT budgets, and develop effective communication strategies to ensure that IT initiatives align with the overall business strategy. Additionally, learners will gain insights into how to develop a customer-centric culture within their organization and effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful IT solutions.
By the end of the course, learners will have a deep understanding of how to develop and implement a customer-centric IT strategy that can drive business growth, improve customer satisfaction, and increase organizational success.
Course Content:
Now more than ever, corporations are investing heavily in IT. The quality of these investments affect the daily work of millions, yet it’s not uncommon to see industry surveys where the failure rates for IT projects is over 50%. It’s possible to do better and it’s possible to do so consistently. In this two-week course, we’ll step through major challenges within corporate IT and how to address them with the disciplined use of design thinking, Lean Startup, and agile as a team framework.
By the end of this course, developed at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and taught by top-ranked faculty, you’ll be able to: Use the Business Model Canvas to focus your company strategy and facilitate buy-in from stakeholders Translate your work on the Canvas to specific charters in IT Rapidly prototype strategically-aligned processes for implementation within your IT infrastructure Please Note: This is a short-form course, two weeks in duration.
The Customer-Centric IT Strategy course, authored by Alex Cowan, consists of five parts and a total of 2 weeks. Here's a detailed breakdown of the course content:
Week 1: How do you define a customer-centric strategy you can actually execute?
10 videos (Total 61 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
Course Intro 2m
A Few Agile Things 6m
The Problem with IT Projects 6m
The 20-Minute Strategy Brief 5m
IT Strategy Brief: Value Definition 4m
IT Strategy Brief: The Customer Journey 7m
IT Strategy Brief: Key Activities 10m
Demo: Business Model Canvas Template 8m
Demo: Using Google Docs for Your Business Model Canvas 1m
Drafting a Process Inventory from Key Activities 7m
Course Overview & Requirements 10m
Week 1 Quiz on Customer-Centric Strategy 30m
Week 2: How do you prototype IT solutions people want to use?
An Example of Prototyping with Process 4m
Demo: Sketching a Process Design 6m
Validation Criteria: 0, 30, 90 Days 9m
Skit: Process Design 3m
Skit: Validation Criteria 1m
Course Summary 1m
Week 2 Quiz on Prototyping IT Solutions 30m
Reviews:
As a former learner of the Customer-Centric IT Strategy course on Coursera, I found the course to be a valuable learning experience. The course is authored by Alex Cowan, who is a renowned expert in the field of customer-centric IT strategy.
The course is structured in a clear and concise manner, with each module building upon the previous one. The course covers a range of topics, including market research, design thinking, agile methodology, IT roadmap development, and budget management. Each topic is presented in a way that is easy to follow and understand, with real-world examples and case studies to illustrate key concepts.
One of the strengths of the course is its focus on practical application. Throughout the course, learners are given a series of assignments and projects that simulate real-world scenarios. This approach not only helps to reinforce key concepts but also provides valuable hands-on experience that can be applied in the workplace.
In addition, the course is well-supported by the Coursera platform, which provides access to a range of resources and tools, including discussion forums, peer review, and online quizzes. The course instructors are highly responsive and provide helpful feedback and guidance throughout the course.
Overall, I found the Customer-Centric IT Strategy course to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in developing and implementing customer-centric IT strategies. The course is well-designed, engaging, and provides practical skills and knowledge that can be applied in the workplace. The course instructors are knowledgeable and supportive, and the course materials are of high quality. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to improve their skills in this area.
At the time, the course has an average rating of 4.6 out of 606 ratings.
What you'll learn:
After completing the Customer-Centric IT Strategy course on Coursera, authored by Alex Cowan, learners will have acquired several key skills, including:
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Customer empathy: The ability to understand and empathize with customers' needs, desires, and pain points.
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Customer discovery: The skills to conduct market research and gather feedback from customers to inform the development of IT systems and products.
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Design thinking: The skills to approach IT strategy development from a design thinking perspective, with an emphasis on human-centered design and iterative testing.
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Agile methodology: The ability to work within an agile development framework and manage projects in an iterative, collaborative manner.
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IT roadmap development: The skills to develop a comprehensive IT roadmap that aligns with the overall business strategy.
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Budget management: The ability to manage IT budgets effectively, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that initiatives are aligned with business priorities.
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Communication: The skills to develop effective communication strategies to ensure that IT initiatives are well-understood and supported by stakeholders.
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Collaboration: The ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including developers, designers, and business stakeholders, to deliver impactful IT solutions.
Overall, learners will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to develop and implement customer-centric IT strategies that can drive business growth, improve customer satisfaction, and increase organizational success.
Author:
Alex Cowan is an experienced entrepreneur, author, and educator who specializes in helping organizations develop and implement customer-centric strategies. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Harvard University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Throughout his career, Alex has founded and advised numerous startups, including his own software development firm, Leonid Systems, which he grew to over $10 million in revenue before selling the company in 2011. He is also the author of "Starting a Tech Business: A Practical Guide for Anyone Creating or Designing Applications or Software," a comprehensive guide to starting and growing a technology startup.
As an educator, Alex is a Clinical Professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, where he teaches courses on innovation and entrepreneurship. He is also a frequent speaker at conferences and events around the world, where he shares his insights and expertise on customer-centric strategy and innovation.
Overall, Alex Cowan is widely regarded as a thought leader in the field of customer-centric IT strategy, with a proven track record of success as an entrepreneur and educator. His extensive experience and deep knowledge of the industry make him a valuable resource for anyone looking to develop and implement customer-centric IT strategies that can drive business growth and success.
Requirements:
The requirements for the Customer-Centric IT Strategy course, authored by Alex Cowan, are as follows:
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Basic understanding of IT: Learners should have a basic understanding of information technology and its applications in business.
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Familiarity with business strategy: Learners should have some familiarity with business strategy, including how IT can be leveraged to create value for the organization.
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English language proficiency: The course materials and instruction are delivered in English, so learners should be proficient in the language to fully participate in the course.
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Access to a computer and internet connection: Learners will need access to a computer or mobile device with a reliable internet connection to access the course materials and complete assignments.
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Willingness to learn: The course is designed to be challenging and requires a willingness to learn new concepts and techniques.
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Time commitment: Learners should be prepared to commit several hours per week to complete the course materials and assignments on time.
Overall, the Customer-Centric IT Strategy course is designed for individuals who are interested in developing and implementing customer-centric IT strategies to drive business growth and success. Learners should have a basic understanding of IT and business strategy, as well as a willingness to learn and a commitment to completing the course requirements.
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