Course curriculum

  1. 1

    • Introduction

    • Course Overview
  2. 2

    • History and Context

    • Overcoming Fixedness

    • Apollo 13 - Applying the "closed world" approach to problem-solving

    • Closed World - thinking "inside the box"

    • How constraints lead to innovation in the developing world

    • The smartphone as a medical diagnostic tool

    • Examples of "closed world" innovations

    • FFF - Function Follows Form

    • Function Follows Form in developing countries

    • Smart Farming solutions to assist Emerging Farmers

    • Examples of function follows form innovations

    • Assignment: Apply the "Closed World" principle

    • Assignment: Apply "Function Follows Form"
  3. 3

    • Introduction to the tools and how to apply them

    • The SUBTRACTION tool

    • Introducing Amazon Go and the world’s most advanced shopping technology

    • SUBTRACTION - Coca-Cola Example

    • OPTIONAL: Assignment: Apply "Subtraction" template

    • The MULTIPLICATION tool

    • MULTIPLICATION: Multiplying buttons on a mouse

    • MULTIPLICATION - Coca Cola Example

    • Exercise: Identifying Multiplication with Modification

    • Exercise model answers: Identifying Multiplication with Modification

    • The DIVISION Tool

    • Modular furniture

    • Vetsak - A South African modular couch innovation

    • DIVISION - Coca Cola Example

    • OPTIONAL: Assignment: Applying DIVISION to a product

    • The TASK UNIFICATION Tool

    • One-stop government services for small businesses

    • Multi-functional smart watch

    • Air fryer-microwave combo

    • TASK-UNIFICATION - Coca Cola Example

    • OPTIONAL: Assignment: Apply TASK UNIFICATION to redesign a backpack

    • The ATTRIBUTE DEPENDENCY Tool

    • ATTRIBUTE DEPENDENCY - Coca Cola Example

    • ATTRIBUTE DEPENDENCY Approach

    • Assignment: Dominos - 30 minutes or you get your pizza free

    • Combining the 5 SIT Thinking Tools
  4. 4

    • PRACTICAL 1: Reinventing the desk lamp using SIT tools

    • PRACTICAL 2: Reinventing Home Security using SIT tools

  5. 5

    • Reflections & Insights

    • Additional Reading & Resources

    • Your experience of this course