Idea Lab's loosely structured framework reflects the non-linear path of product development. By providing innovators and mentors with a catalogue of resources without a prescribed approach, Idea Lab makes room for each innovator to map their own journey with the guidance of industry experts.
Idea Lab references key ISHOW assets (tech development milestones) to establish an innovator's current stage of development. This initial assessment will provide the starting point from which specific curriculum and activities will be assigned to the innovators.
Innovators will be assigned learning modules through Coursera (an online learning platform with accredited courses from top tier universities such as Harvard, Standford, Kenyatta University, and Oxford) These learning modules will provide instruction around foundational topics such as, human centered design, market analysis, business development as well as provide access to resources aimed at technical capacity building, e.g., modeling in Fusion 360, prepping models for rapid prototyping, and CAD for mechanical design. In addition to these prepackaged learning modules, an innovator's curriculum may included topics for self-study/research, industry white papers to review, or frameworks to implement. The Idea Lab curriculum reflects the real world of product design and development. Its agile, adaptive and non-linear. The curriculum is built after an innovator's needs are identified, so each journey will be unique.
