Basics of Design Research (openSAP)

In this course, you’ll get an overview from SAP’s design research experts that will help you get the most out of your field research experience. From identifying users through conducting a field visit to developing points of view, this course will provide you with a foundation for conducting design research in a people-centric way.

In This Course You Will:

- Understand the relevance of design research in the development of quality software products

- Understand the roles of design researchers, moderators, and note-takers

- Become familiar with how to gain empathy, which is key to understanding user needs

- Learn the basics of design research: How to get ready for a field visit, how to run an interview, and how to capture and analyze your findings

Course Structure:

Each class is designed to support your learning

- Video Lectures – Design practitioners present topics with real-world examples

- Check Points – Short quizzes help you assess your understanding of the lectures

- Hands-On Exercises – Small, manageable exercises related to and expanding on the class topics, to be completed individually or in collaboration with your fellow participants

- Further Reading and Resources – Links to additional materials as well as domain experts

Throughout the course, you’ll receive points for weekly challenges. Upon completion of the course, you’ll receive a document confirming your participation in the course.

Course Content

Week 1 – Introduction to the course

Introducing the teaching team and an overview of design research, key terms, and roles.

Week 2 – Planning and preparing how to gain empathy

How to get ready for a field visit by agreeing on outcomes, defining and finding participants, creating a field visit guide, and also planning logistics.

Week 3 – Conducting a field visit

How to conduct a field visit, from building a connection with the participant to having an insightful conversation and capturing the field visit.

Week 4 – Analyzing your data

How to analyze your data by sharing your findings with your team and making sense of your data through clustering.

Week 5 – Synthesizing your findings

How to create a persona based on your clusters and extract insights from your data to create points of view.