Our Flagship Professional Development Program

Capstone Case Study Curriculum

Building a Capstone Case Study during this 8-week program involved many steps. 

First, small group teams of 4-6 interns were built and led by volunteer coaches.  Each group’s goal was to make a multi-disciplinary business plan on how a company or industry could survive COVID-19’s impact. Government functions were also considered.

When each team chose their focus, they then analyzed and tested questions like:

  • What are the best changes we can suggest, such as:

    • Operational processes

    • New target demographics

    • Technology

    • Marketing

  • How might day-to-day changes impact staff or customers?

  • How can the company stay profitable?

  • Will the nearby community be impacted?

  • What should the owner need to do differently?

In week 4, interns presented their “statement of challenge” to a large panel.  Then, in week 8, they returned to the panel to share their final recommendations. Some had new marketing plans while others designed mockups for new online tools.  

Along the way, interns learned and used a vast array of business skills, such as project management and strategic thinking. 

Program Schedule

Week 1

Program Orientation

  • Welcome and introductions 

  • Review curriculum and schedule 

  • Introduce cases and groups 

  • Team building activity 

  • Industry Panel discussion

  • Business Panel discussion

  • First meeting with coach and advisor

Week 2

Problem-solving and
Project Planning

  • Approaching the case study

  • Strategies for problem-solving 

  • Market research

  • Design thinking 

  • Project planning

  • Measuring success  

  • Project Management Keynote

Week 3

Digital Solutions for
Business Challenges

  • Presenting with confidence 

  • Presenting user experience scenarios and prototypes

  • Best practices in designing presentations 

  • Digital Health Case Study

  • Digital Transformation Keynote

Week 4

Data Science and Analysis

  • Making data-driven decisions 

  • Leveraging technology for project work 

  • Business Experts Panel:

    • present your case study company/organization situation

    • COVID-19 challenges

Week 5

Professional and Personal Development

  • Building resilience in an uncertain landscape 

  • Mindfulness and well-being 

  • Building your brand 

    • Resume guidelines 

    • LinkedIn best practices 

    • Providing and receiving feedback

  • Networking Activity

  • Brand-building Keynote

Week 6

Business Communications  

  • Strategies for workplace communications (Email, IM, Slack, Teams, Yammer etc.) 

  • Business writing for internal communications

  • Communications styles in the workplace

  • Persuasion and the art of influence

  • Cross-functional collaboration 

  • Business Communications Keynote

 Week 7

Business Strategy and Implementation 

  • Scenario planning

  • Business Case development

  • Organizational Change Management

  • Entrepreneur Keynote

  • Best Practices in Delivering Presentations

Week 8

Capstone week!

  • Each group presents case recommendations to panel of experts

  • Lessons learned 

  • Program review and next steps

  • Team building activity 

  • Inspirational Keynote