Platform Thinking: designing a Platform (POK)

At first sight, it may seem that platforms "simply" connect different kinds of users, as Airbnb links travelers and hosts or as Uber links drivers and riders. Well, this is true: platforms link different kinds of users. Nevertheless, this is just the enabling factor to have a platform, definitely not enough to describe the wide range of activities they actually do.
Therefore, this module aims to assess the starting point of creating the platform, identifying the initial set of customers and the main challenging elements to bring the design forward. Then, it digs in the phases of kicking-off a new platform and then in managing its growth over time, becoming a real ecosystem. In other words, the course aims to present the main strategies and tactics to design, launch, and manage a platform. In the end, it introduces platform thinking steps, helping established companies evolve towards a platform model.

The course is structured into 3 Modules:
Module 1 – Setting the baseline,
Module 2 - Kicking it off,
Module 3 - Managing it through the growth.
The modules have different lessons within them, consisting of texts, videos, quizzes and individual self-reflection exercises. We advise you to follow the pathway linearly: even if all the lectures should be self-contained, they often build on concepts introduced in depth in previous videos. It is important that you keep your own pace: the length indications are a rough estimate, but your pace should guide you at best for the enjoyment and the individual reflection on the topics covered.
By actively participating in this MOOC, you will achieve different intended learning outcomes (ILOs).

1. To understand the main design variables to design a successful and meaningful platform,
2. To assess the main strategies to kick-off a platform,
3. The assess the main variables to manage the platform growth,
4. To apply the main “platform thinking” logics to established businesses to foster innovation.