Turning real-world challenges into innovative solutions

The Mindset: Design Thinking

The Real World Case Studies are an integral part of the third semester and begin each autumn. The programme starts with a three-day Design Thinking workshop at IMC Krems. Students and representatives of partner organisations work together on a real-world challenge, learning how to analyse complex problems systematically from the users’ perspective and develop new approaches to solving them.

“Design Thinking is an ideal method for analysing complex challenges in healthcare in a structured way and working together to develop practical, user-centred solutions. People are always at the heart of the process – whether they are patients, employees or other stakeholders.” The systematic approach makes it possible to bring together different perspectives while giving equal consideration to people’s needs, technological possibilities and economic constraints, explains Prof. (FH) Dr Manfred Pferzinger, Design Thinking Coach, Head of the master degree programme in Management of Health Institutions and Head of the Institute of Health Management at IMC Krems.

From the Challenge to the Prototype

Over several months, students work with their respective partner organisations to address specific challenges. This brings together professional expertise from the field, scientifically grounded knowledge and the students’ own perspectives. The aim is to develop solutions that are not only innovative but can also work under real-world conditions.

For partner organisations, the collaboration offers an opportunity to look at their own challenges from new perspectives and explore Design Thinking as a tool for managing complex change processes. Students, in turn, gain valuable experience in tackling real-world problems and applying their knowledge directly in practice.

In the 2026/27 academic year, students are working on real-world challenges in collaboration with Herz-Kreislauf-Zentrum Groß Gerungs, ASZ – Das Arbeitsmedizinische und Sicherheitstechnische Zentrum in Linz, “Tut gut!“ Gesundheitsvorsorge GmbH, Fresenius Kabi Austria GmbH, Caritas der Erzdiözese Wien (Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vienna) and Hilfswerk Niederösterreich Betriebs GmbH. Alles Clara Gemeinnützige GmbH also played a key role in the preparatory Design Thinking workshop. The non-profit organisation, established by ERSTE Stiftung (ERSTE Foundation), aims to provide support and relief for family members caring for loved ones.

Alles Clara contributed two design challenges to the three-day workshop, which the students worked on together with representatives of the project partners. “It is fascinating to see the inspiring solutions that can emerge when diverse teams of students and practice partners go through such an intensive Design Thinking process over two days. We are taking away many ideas and impulses for both our online and offline activities, which we will incorporate into our efforts to reach children and young people with caring responsibilities,” explains Nicole Traxler, Managing Director of Alles Clara Gemeinnützige GmbH.

The Real World Case Studies bring students and organisations together around the same table, creating space for new perspectives on real-world challenges. Students can apply their knowledge directly and gain practical experience, while partner organisations benefit from new approaches to addressing their own challenges,” says Pferzinger.

The programme culminates in a Prototype Festival at IMC Krems at the end of January, where the project teams present their solutions and prototypes to the partner organisations.