---
title: How a product mindset makes online course design faster, stronger and learner-first
description: In this video, Oppida CEO Bianca Raby talks about the need to have a product mindset when designing online courses.
image: https://blog.oppida.co/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Oppida-Talks_02-A-product-mindset.jpeg
---
11/05/2021
# How a product mindset makes online course design faster, stronger and learner-first
[ Oppida Team ](https://blog.oppida.co/author/oppida-team)
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How a product mindset makes online course design faster, stronger and learner-first
3:01
In the video, 'Oppida talks: a product mindset', [Bianca](https://biancaraby.com/) likens the creation of the fixed components of a course to a factory production line, with different team members producing different parts, each contributing their skills and knowledge, until the whole course is assembled. But an online course is a very different thing from the model T Ford that came rolling off the end of the first production line. What else can we learn by extending the metaphor—what does a product mindset bring to [online course creation](https://oppida.co)?
First, with this approach, we understand that the quality of the ‘product’ is derived directly from the quality of the inputs—in this case, a team carefully curated for knowledge and skills, with a clear understanding of the roles played by each team member. At Oppida, we call it our [Online Course Development](https://oppida.co/online-course-development) A-Team, and you can read about how we put it together [here](https://www.oppida.co/insights/building-an-online-course-development-a-team).
## 
## Integrated online course creation
Referring to a product mindset is a way of distinguishing this approach from the more conventional project-based approach—build it then forget about it—or the organisational silo approach—build it and let someone else figure out how to make it digital. A product mindset means an [integrated and iterative approach to online course creation](https://oppida.co/the-oppida-way).
In writing about setting the stage for digital engagement in universities, former Harvard chief digital officer Perry Hewitt advocated a product mindset, noting that a product:
> has an owner with vision, operational responsibility, and awareness of the landscape; may have a roadmap that’s user-driven rather than vendor-driven; and has a lifecycle, which sometimes includes an end-of-life to make way for a new product. (2014)
## Learner-centred
A product mindset then is one which prioritises value to the user—in the education context, it’s learner-centred, driven by the needs of the student and what they can get out of it. As product management expert Mike Edmonds says, “a product must be designed to solve a core [customer need](https://oppida.co/success-stories)/business problem, then put in front of the people who will use it so that it can iterate and evolve over time.”(2015) Both Hewitt and Edmonds see a product as something that’s iterative, rather than once-and-done. And the [education product](https://oppida.co/online-course-assessment) should come with continuing support: it has a lifecycle with ongoing development.
Finally, a digital education product has to be viable. Agile proponent Julee Everett (2020) defines viable as:
- usable—easy to use and a great [user experience](https://blog.oppida.co/user-experience-in-elearning);
- valuable—a business has to be able to sell it and profit from it, or it has to serve the mission of a non-profit;
- feasible—the organisation can afford to build it and has the resources to do so, and it’s scalable and sustainable.
Put all of these elements together on your production line, and it won’t be a model T Ford that rolls off at the end—it will be an effective, high quality online course.
## References
Edmonds, Mike. ‘[How to launch impactful digital products efficiently](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-launch-impactful-digital-products-efficiently-2-3-mike-edmonds/?articleId=8742772769386897538)’. 2015
Everett, Julie. ‘[The Product Mindset Manifesto](https://clearlyagile.com/agile-blog/the-product-mindset-manifesto)’. 2020
Hewitt, Perry. ‘S[etting the Stage for Digital Engagement: A Five-Step Approach](https://er.educause.edu/articles/2014/9/setting-the-stage-for-digital-engagement-a-fivestep-approach)’, *Educause Review*. 2014
[Online course design](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/online-course-design), [Online education delivery](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/online-education-delivery)
## Related posts
[ ](https://blog.oppida.co/agile-thinking-in-online-course-design)
[Educational design terminology](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/educational-design-terminology), [Online course design](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/online-course-design), [Online education delivery](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/online-education-delivery)
## [How agile thinking transforms online course design (and makes it easier for your whole team)](https://blog.oppida.co/agile-thinking-in-online-course-design)
[Bianca Raby](https://blog.oppida.co/author/bianca-raby)
5/07/2021
Ever heard of Agile thinking? In start-up terminology, ‘implementing best practices’ often means...
[ Read more ](https://blog.oppida.co/agile-thinking-in-online-course-design)
[ ](https://blog.oppida.co/oppida-and-online-education)
[Online education provider teams](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/online-education-provider-teams), [Working in educational design](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/working-in-educational-design), [Education trends and insights](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/education-trends-and-insights), [Online course design](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/online-course-design), [Online education delivery](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/online-education-delivery), [Edtech](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/edtech)
## [Oppida and online education: Rebuilding trust in learning for the future of work](https://blog.oppida.co/oppida-and-online-education)
[Bianca Raby](https://blog.oppida.co/author/bianca-raby)
1/05/2019
Oppida and online education... I have always been an educator. It’s in my blood. However, over the...
[ Read more ](https://blog.oppida.co/oppida-and-online-education)
[ ](https://blog.oppida.co/popular-lms-platforms-of-2023-for-course-creators)
[Edtech](https://blog.oppida.co/tag/edtech)
## [The 11 most popular LMS platforms of 2023 (with key features every course creator should know)](https://blog.oppida.co/popular-lms-platforms-of-2023-for-course-creators)
[Oppida Team](https://blog.oppida.co/author/oppida-team)
26/09/2023
An LMS, short for Learning Management System, is a software application or web-based technology...
[ Read more ](https://blog.oppida.co/popular-lms-platforms-of-2023-for-course-creators)
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"articleBody": "\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n\n
\n\n
\n
In the video, 'Oppida talks: a product mindset', Bianca likens the creation of the fixed components of a course to a factory production line, with different team members producing different parts, each contributing their skills and knowledge, until the whole course is assembled. But an online course is a very different thing from the model T Ford that came rolling off the end of the first production line. What else can we learn by extending the metaphor\u2014what does a product mindset bring to online course creation?
\n
First, with this approach, we understand that the quality of the \u2018product\u2019 is derived directly from the quality of the inputs\u2014in this case, a team carefully curated for knowledge and skills, with a clear understanding of the roles played by each team member. At Oppida, we call it our Online Course Development A-Team, and you can read about how we put it together here.
\n
\n
Integrated online course creation
\n
Referring to a product mindset is a way of distinguishing this approach from the more conventional project-based approach\u2014build it then forget about it\u2014or the organisational silo approach\u2014build it and let someone else figure out how to make it digital. A product mindset means an integrated and iterative approach to online course creation.
\n
In writing about setting the stage for digital engagement in universities, former Harvard chief digital officer Perry Hewitt advocated a product mindset, noting that a product:
\n
\n
has an owner with vision, operational responsibility, and awareness of the landscape; may have a roadmap that\u2019s user-driven rather than vendor-driven; and has a lifecycle, which sometimes includes an end-of-life to make way for a new product. (2014)
\n
\n
\n
Learner-centred
\n
A product mindset then is one which prioritises value to the user\u2014in the education context, it\u2019s learner-centred, driven by the needs of the student and what they can get out of it. As product management expert Mike Edmonds says, \u201ca product must be designed to solve a core customer need/business problem, then put in front of the people who will use it so that it can iterate and evolve over time.\u201d(2015) Both Hewitt and Edmonds see a product as something that\u2019s iterative, rather than once-and-done. And the education product should come with continuing support: it has a lifecycle with ongoing development.
\n
Finally, a digital education product has to be viable. Agile proponent Julee Everett (2020) defines viable as:
valuable\u2014a business has to be able to sell it and profit from it, or it has to serve the mission of a non-profit;
\n
feasible\u2014the organisation can afford to build it and has the resources to do so, and it\u2019s scalable and sustainable.
\n
\n
Put all of these elements together on your production line, and it won\u2019t be a model T Ford that rolls off at the end\u2014it will be an effective, high quality online course.
![\"product](\"https://22642683.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22642683/product%20mindset.webp\")
![\"product](\"https://22642683.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22642683/product%20mindset%20principles.webp\")
![\"learner](\"https://22642683.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22642683/learner%20centred%20approach.webp\")
![\"online](\"https://22642683.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22642683/online%20course%20creation.webp\")