Ateleris Academy
Ideen Labor on Digital Innovation
Validate Before You Build: Structured Problem Solving with amplilabs
Contact us now to plan a workshop for your team and organisation!
Too often, digital transformation of a service, product, or an entire organization begins with a technology-driven idea before we’ve truly understood the underlying problem or the real needs of users. The result? Misaligned solutions, wasted resources, and missed opportunities to leverage emerging technologies such as AI, data-driven insights, and software-defined services.
The Idea Lab workshop flips that script. In just three intensive days, spaced out over two to three weeks, your team will learn to identify, validate, and deeply understand real-world problems before jumping into digital solutions. The time between sessions is intentionally designed to allow space for stakeholder interviews, data gathering, and insight-driven analysis, and is defined together with you during the kick-off call.
Guided by experienced facilitators, we combine lean, user-centered methods, such as Design Thinking, with a focused exploration of AI-driven innovation, data analytics, and software-defined opportunities. We select and tailor the best digital innovation tools for your context and goals. Whether you walk away with a refined digital concept, a clear “no-go” decision, or entirely new ideas for software-defined services, you’ll leave equipped to tackle the right problems, smarter, faster, and with greater digital impact.
Emilie Etesi will teach this interactive, hands-on course. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact Laszlo Etesi, the course coordinator.
Goals
In this course, participants will:
- Learn how to define and frame relevant problems clearly and effectively.
- Understand the needs and context of target groups or stakeholders.
- Gain hands-on experience with design thinking techniques.
- Apply structured methods to explore and test solutions iteratively.
- Learn how to develop and refine solution ideas based on real feedback.
- Conduct early validation of concepts through direct testing with end users.
- Communicate ideas in a structured, results-oriented format
- Understand how to assess the viability of an idea before entering a formal project phase, making informed decisions.
- Strengthen creative and entrepreneurial mindsets.
Contents
Day 1 (Full Day): Problem Framing & User Understanding
- Clarify and define the core problem.
- Develop a solid understanding of the target group (users/stakeholders).
- Prepare user interviews
Day 2 (Full Day): Ideation & Prototyping
- Develop solution ideas based on the defined problem and the results of user interviews.
- Begin prototyping and testing solutions directly with the target group.
- Gather real feedback early in the development phase to stress-test concepts.
Day 3 (Full Day): Validation & Presentation
- Continue refining and validating solutions based on test feedback.
- Prepare and present an initial concept of the solution to a jury of stakeholders (e.g., leadership or project sponsors).
- The jury evaluates the concept and may suggest further development or approve the next steps.
Target Group
This course is tailored specifically for:
- Tech-focused teams and leaders who have initial ideas and want to validate them thoroughly before committing resources to build digital solutions.
- Companies and organisations that are actively seeking better digital solutions require assistance in identifying, clarifying, and formulating their core business problems before making further investments.
- Program, project, and product managers in software and ICT settings aiming to leverage AI, data-driven insights, and software-defined services for maximum impact.
- Leaders and teams looking to identify the right problems and opportunities for digital innovation, and wanting structured guidance to translate these insights into actionable next steps.
Requisites
Participants should:
- Come with an open mindset, curiosity, and a willingness to dive in.
- Prepared for an intensive, hands-on experience
- Come with a real-world challenge or idea in mind that they’d like to explore. This could be a problem with their team, project, product, or organization.
- No prior knowledge is required.
We’ll take care of the methods and tools, you bring the energy and ideas.
Languages
- Course language (spoken moderation): English, German, or French
- Course materials (slides, handouts): English, German, or French
- Technical discussions and inputs: English or German
Please verify the course language during sign-up.
Duration
Total: 3 full days
Venue
The workshop works best when held close to your team and stakeholders, that’s why we’re happy to travel directly to your location! We kindly request a spacious venue with movable furniture, allowing for flexible group activities and interactive collaboration. Please also ensure there are enough flipcharts with paper available. We’ll take care of bringing all other necessary workshop materials.
Costs
CHF 12’500 for a group of up to 15 people. For groups of 15 people or more, please contact us to discuss your options.
Important Information
We provide all the tools and materials needed for the workshop content. The hosting organization is responsible for the venue, flipcharts (with paper), and catering.
Enrollments and Inquiries
Team Workshop (on-demand)
Course date, venue, and pricing available upon request. Customizations possible.
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