Organizational Leadership Capstone

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. 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.

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.

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 expand

1. Video: Introduction to the Capstone with Dean Blount
2. Reading: Steps to Complete This Module
3. Reading: Meet Your Professors
4. Reading: Capstone Grading & Logistics
5. 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 expand

1. Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
2. Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
3. 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 expand

1. Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
2. Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
3. 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 expand

1. Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
2. Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
3. 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 expand

1. Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
2. Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
3. 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 expand

1. Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
2. Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
3. 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 expand

1. Reading: Steps to Complete this Module
2. Reading: Video and Supplementary Reference Materials
3. 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 expand

1. Video: Conclusion to the Capstone with Dean Blount