Solving Complex Problems Capstone

Overview

From the very start of the specialization, your assignments will be geared toward tackling a complex issue of your choice that you face in your career path, industry, or field. Each phase of the course builds up to a briefing paper that analyzes, evaluates, and attempts to solve a highly complex problem. Not only does this course teach you a skill set, but it puts you further down the road in understanding the problems of your chosen field. It advances your knowledge of your own field by teaching you to look at it in new ways. This is the CAPSTONE where the scaffolding of our problem solving and innovation skills will bear fruit in a series of preparatory assignments to make your briefing paper as effective as possible.

Syllabus

Revising the problem definition

Welcome to the Capstone! This module contains all sorts of information on how to finish the final assignment. At the end of the module, you will review the problem definition you wrote at the end of Course 1.

Incorporating multi-disciplinary perspectives

Here you will review the summary of sources your produced at the end of Course 2, as well as the reflective exercise you completed at the end of Course 3.

Projecting a status quo scenario

Here you will review the ‘status quo scenario’ from Course 3. Reflect on this prediction in light of the work you have done since you first formulated it.

Developing innovative solutions

Here you will review your preferred innovation from Course 3 to address the problem you have articulated.

Drafting a Complete Briefing Paper

Here you will now complete the final two sections of your Briefing Paper, and ensure that the paper proceeds smoothly and logically, with adequate signposts for the reader.