Reflection – Learning Launch

Challenge

I am an academic analyst for a non-profit trying to launch a coding bootcamp in order to help  trainees get a better job in a tech career. The challenge is to re-launch the bootcamp in 2021, after  two years of unsuccessfully having had other iterations of the bootcamp that had huge drop-out  rates and no hires.

Selection

I used several tools from the design thinking process, but I choose to focus on the learning launch  because we already have a bootcamp program that we will continue to make adjustments to, based  on input from our students. Throughout some of the changes implemented thanks to benchmarking  and other research, we have already tweaked some parts of the learning experience with positive  results, however, we will continue to test more solutions in order to come up with a better learning  experience for all of the stakeholders.

Application

The first launch was a four-year program, intended to compete but also offer as much preparation  as a university education. We learned halfway through the program that this approach was too slow  and costly, so we decided to reduce the duration to 18 months. On this second iteration, we  observed that the traditional learning methods would not bring the results we wanted in the set  time frame, but we learned of other successful bootcamp programs that were achieving incredible  results in 6 months, so after some more research and benchmarking, we are planning on releasing  a third launch based on a completely different learning method and we have also shifted our target  users.

Insight

The most valuable insight from these learning launches has been the fact that, when it comes to the  tech and learning sector, you can’t really afford to invest so many resources without test-driving  them first. Waiting 4 years or even 18 months is just way too much to find out where are we making  mistakes and fine tune it, so we looked to other organizations who were doing the same and in  doing so, realised that when it comes to innovation, leaner is better, which is what we will try to go  for in this third launch.

Approach

What I would do differently next time is that I would probably, from the get go, use design thinking  or strategic design to figure out exactly the product/service that both our users need and stands  out. This would involve doing some more research/benchmarking and involving a larger number of  stakeholds from the very beginning. We already have some experience and luckily have lived to tell  the tale, but even applying just a little of design thinking has really helped us to such a great extent,  that at least I personally wouldn’t hesitate to use this approach again when in much need of  innovation.


Reflection – Learning Launch Challenge I am an academic analyst for a non - profit trying to launch a coding bootcamp in order to help trainees get a better job in a tech career . The challenge is to re - launch the bootcamp in 2021 , after two years of unsuccessfully having had other iterations of the bootcamp that had huge drop - out rates and no hires . Selection I used several tools from the design thinking process , but I choose to focus on the learning launch because we already have a bootcamp program that we will continue to make adjustments to , based on input from our students . Throughout some of the changes implemented thanks to benchmarking and other research , we have already tweaked some parts of the learning experience with positive results , however , we will continue to test more solutions in order to come up with a better learning experience for all of the stakeholders . Application The first launch was a four - year program , intended to compete but also offer as much preparation as a university education . We learned halfway through the program that this approach was too slow and costly , so we decided to reduce the duration to 18 months . On this second iteration , we observed that the traditional learning methods would not bring the results we wanted in the set time frame , but we learned of other successful bootcamp programs that were achieving incredible results in 6 months , so after some more research and benchmarking , we are planning on releasing a third launch based on a completely different learning method and we have also shifted our target users . Insight The most valuable insight from these learning launches has been the fact that , when it comes to the tech and learning sector , you ca n’t really afford to invest so many resources without test - driving them first . Waiting 4 years or even 18 months is just way too much to find out where are we making mistakes and fine tune it , so we looked to other organizations who were doing the same and in doing so , realised that when it comes to innovation , leaner is better , which is what we will try to go for in this third launch . Approach What I would do differently next time is that I would probably , from the get go , use design thinking or strategic design to figure out exactly the product / service that both our users need and stands out . This would involve doing some more research / benchmarking and involving a larger number of stakeholds from the very beginning . We already have some experience and luckily have lived to tell the tale , but even applying just a little of design thinking has really helped us to such a great extent , that at least I personally would n’t hesitate to use this approach again when in much need of innovation .