Digital Strategy and Processes for Innovation

Course

In today’s rapidly evolving market and technological landscape, companies must continuously invest in innovation to face new challenges, remain competitive and grow. The Specializing Master in Digital Strategy and Processes for Innovation trains professionals to design and implement business innovation strategies, playing a key role across activities ranging from marketing to the redesign of internal processes. Students develop the skills to apply design thinking and emerging technologies, especially AI, within forward-looking organisations.

The programme prepares versatile professionals who combine technical expertise, strategic thinking and leadership skills, leading to career paths including Digital Strategist, Innovation Specialist, Digital Project Manager and Digital Innovation Manager. By the end of the course, graduates will have acquired the knowledge and competencies to enter the workforce quickly, contributing meaningfully to departments such as marketing, innovation, business development and communications within both private and public organisations. These include industries such as fashion, automotive, life sciences and retail.

The programme lasts 15 months and is structured around a practical, learning-by-doing approach, with regular opportunities for collaboration with partner companies.

• Interactive lectures on the core themes of design, marketing and innovation
• Practical workshops and project work in which students operate as consultancy and innovation teams
• Dialogue and mock interviews with senior executives (C-level) and HR professionals
• Company visits and an immersive consultancy week in Milan
• A personalised career design and professional development track
• A three-month internship with one of the programme’s partner companies

Gallery

Nice things done in 2023

Didactics

Training objectives

The Master’s programme brings together the creative and problem-solving mindset of design, the strategic outlook of marketing, and the operational effectiveness of cutting-edge technologies, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence. Its main objectives are to:

• Develop and consolidate a project-based methodology rooted in design thinking, enabling students to address complex and varied scenarios by breaking down and reconfiguring challenges in a creative and effective way
• Acquire process mapping tools and methodologies, essential for understanding organisational structures and identifying opportunities for improvement in people, channels and systems in order to meet business objectives
• Build the cross-sectoral knowledge necessary to work with companies in diverse industries, learning to speak their language and deliver tangible, scalable solutions

Didactic Modules

The Master’s runs over 15 months and includes face-to-face teaching from Monday to Friday. The academic calendar combines lectures, workshops and project work. The final stage of the course consists of a professional internship where students put their newly acquired skills into practice. Upon completion, students receive 60 CFU (Crediti Formativi Universitari), equivalent to 60 ECTS credits.

Module 1 | Inspiring: Digital Transformer Squad

A five-day role-playing game that allows students to get to know each other, build a strong team dynamic, identify personal strengths and map the transformative skills they will develop throughout the Master’s programme.

Module 2 | Listening

This module focuses on how to use data-driven methodologies to understand market trends. Students explore digital ethnography to interpret consumer behaviour and learn to design user-centred listening systems that turn data into strategic insights.

AI tools used: ChatGPT, Claude

Industry connection: Workshops and TrenDS (debates with CEOs and managers)

Module 3 | Strategy

Students learn to identify an organisation’s business goals, analyse key areas for transformation, define market positioning, and design strategic change across people, channels and tools.

AI tools used: ChatGPT, Claude

Industry connection: Workshops and TrenDS (debates with CEOs and managers)

Project work 1 | Empowerment

A three-week consultancy project in partnership with one or more of the programme’s corporate network. Students work as a real consultancy team to respond to a business brief set by the participating company.

Module 4 | Design

This module introduces methods for developing marketing and communication concepts using generative AI. Students also explore user experience design principles and build visual literacy skills for omnichannel communication strategies.

AI tools used: Midjourney

Industry connection: Workshops and TrenDS (debates with CEOs and managers)

Module 5 | Go to Market

Students will design effective marketing strategies and sustainable business processes. The module covers high-performing funnel design, digital and traditional media planning, compelling brand narratives and advertising budget management.

AI tools used: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Midjourney

Industry connection: Workshops and TrenDS (debates with CEOs and managers)

Project work 2 | Empowerment

A three-week project carried out with one or more companies in the Master’s network. Students are asked to work as a real consultancy team to respond to briefs set by the participating organisations.

Module 6 | Career Design

A tailored career development module that supports students in shaping their professional journey. It includes one-to-one coaching sessions, company networking opportunities, and “It’s a Match!” – a unique DSPI format that connects students and HR professionals through blind interviews based on shared motivation and interests rather than CVs.

Total hours: 500

Internship or Professional Project

How can students apply what they have learned during the Master’s in their first experience of the professional world?

Title Released

At the end of the course, students who pass the final examination will receive a joint first-level Specializing Master in “Digital Strategy and Processes for Innovation. Design, marketing and A.I. for business transformation” from the Politecnico di Milano.

Employment Opportunities

The Master’s prepares professionals to engage confidently with different managerial roles within organisations and to work across a variety of markets and sectors, including fashion, automotive, life sciences and retail. The combination of practical skills, strategic thinking and leadership ability supports a career path geared towards managerial and leadership positions.

Graduates may pursue the following roles:

• Upon completing the Master’s: Digital Strategist, Junior Digital Project Manager, Innovation Specialist
• Two to five years after the Master’s: Digital Strategist, Innovation Consultant, Digital Innovation Manager
• Looking ahead: Chief Innovation Officer, Marketing Director

Admission

Requirements

It is open to candidates holding a University Diploma or Degree in:

Economics and Business (including but not limited to: Economics, Finance and Corporate Law);
Humanities (including but not limited to: Philosophy, Sociology, Journalism, Foreign Languages ​​and Literatures, Humanities in the Environment and Landscape, New Art Technologies);
Engineering; Design; Architecture; Communication Sciences (including but not limited to: Culture and Language for Communication, Communication and Psychology, Media Languages, Publishing, Communication and Information Sciences); Marketing; Management.

Candidates are invited to consult the Master Board if their study path doesen’t match with these categories. For foreign applicants, equivalent qualifications will be considered in their respective studies.

Deadlines

To take part in the XII edition of the Specializing Master in Digital Strategy and Processes for Innovation, starting on October 20th, 2025, applications must be submitted according to the following criteria*:

Italian qualification within 60 days before the starting date

STEP 1
1) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to POLI.design

• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio
• Motivation letter
• Copy of ID document
• Other

The following documents should be uploaded on this page

2) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to Politecnico

• ID document copy
• Copy of the Diploma Supplement and copy of the degree diploma or self-certification on the appropriate form that can be requested to POLI.design (selezioni@polidesign.net)
• ANIS certification (access to the ANIS portal is via SPID or CIE from the following link)

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link
____________________

European qualification within 60 days before the starting date

STEP 1
1) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to POLI.design

• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio
• Motivation Letter
• Copy of ID document

The following documents should be uploaded on this page

2) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to Politecnico

• Copy of ID document
• Copy of Diploma Supplement
• Photocopy of degree certificate

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link

STEP 2
1) Documents to be sent for authenticity verification (within 45 days before the start date) 

• Diploma Supplement with a digital signature or verifiable QR code. Should the student lack a Diploma Supplement with a valid signature or verifiable QR code to verify its authenticity, the student will have to submit one of the documents required for students with a non-EU qualification (cfr. next item).

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link
____________________

Non-EU degree within 60 days before the start date

STEP 1
1) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to POLI.design

• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio
• Motivation Letter
• Copy of ID document

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page

2) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to Politecnico

• Copy of ID document
• Degree in original language + Italian/English translation
• Original transcript of passed examinations + Italian/English translation

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link

STEP 2
1) Documents to be sent for authenticity verification (within 45 days before the start date) 

• Enic/ Naric Certification or CIMEA 
• World Education Services (WES) Certification 
• Statement of value 
• Copy of the visa application or copy of the visa

According to the timeframe provided for by Italian law, the details of the application for a residency permit must also be communicated as well as the residency permit as soon as it is issued.

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link

*Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered at the discretion of the Scientific Committee.

Price

The cost of the University Specializing Master’s programme is € 12.000 broken down as follows:

• € 500,00 – enrolment fee to be paid to the Politecnico di Milano, no later than 30 days before the starting date following the procedures that POLI.design will specify;
• € 11.500 – participation fee for the University Master’s Course to be paid to POLI.design following the procedures that will be specified upon admission.

Companies can purchase the four specialization modules (Content Strategist, Digital PR & Reputation Manager, Digital ADV Specialist, Data Scientist) at a total cost of € 6,000 + VAT.

PROMO

EARLY BIRD: -10%

The promotion for those who have clear ideas, know which educational path can enrich their future, and can’t wait to get back to the classroom.

Deadline application: within May 30, 2025
Deadline for sending the signed contract and payment of the deposit of the participation fee: within June 13, 2025

FAMILY SUPPORT: -50%

A chance to gift your siblings the encouragement they need to invest in their future.

FRIEND TO FRIEND: -20%

An opportunity to gift to a friend to make education the foundation of their growth.

POLI.NETWORK: -50%

A promotion designed to strengthen the bond and identity among members of the Politecnico di Milano community.

BACK TO SCHOOL: -1.000€ on Specializing Masters

The discount for those who have already trusted POLI.design and Polimi, and wish to return to study and build their future.

SUPPLIERS

A 10% reduction to be applied on the participation fee (excluding registration fee or VAT) for suppliers and former suppliers of POLI.design. The reduction can be combined with other forms of discounts and/or exemptions*

*POLI.design reserves the right to verify the existence of the collaboration relationship.

PER MERITO

Intesa San Paolo supports talents and gives everyone access to training. Discover more details here

Faculty

MASTER BOARD

Francesca Piredda, Director
https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescapiredda/

Giulia Sormani, Technical Director
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsormani/

Marco Ronchi, Senior Advisor and Co-founder
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronchimarco/

Silvia Barozzi, Didactic Coordinator
https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvia-barozzi-050112114/

OUR PROFESSORS

Danny Abramovich, Serial marketing lecturer and SME trainer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-abramovich-bb8b1a17/

Serena Ballabio, Service Designer | Twig
https://www.linkedin.com/in/serena-ballabio-3a47a9b8/

Marco Belloni, M&A Advisor e Founder | Belloni&Zanzi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mricbelloni/

Paola Bonini, Consultant | Rai Academy e Rai Digital (Rai – Radiotelevisione Italiana)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolabonini/

Niccolò Brocchi, Executive Advisor | Twig
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nbrocchi/

Simone Dall’Angelo, Executive Advisor | Twig
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonedallangelo/

Matteo Damiani, Director, IT CIO South Asia Pacific & Korea | Tiffany&Co
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matteodamiani/

Umberto Dolcini, Strategic Designer | Twig
https://www.linkedin.com/in/umberto-dolcini/

Katia Goldoni, Executive Advisor | Twig
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiagoldoni/

Gaia Elena Pucci, Product Portfolio Manager, Analytics & AI Products | UniCredit
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaia-elena-pucci/

Giovanni Gaetano Reale, Senior Career Consultant | CambiarParadigma
https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovanni-gaetano-reale-27189120/

Franco Roncoroni, Interactive Brand Designer & Director
https://www.linkedin.com/in/francoroncoroni/

Carlo Sala, Director M.Sc. Finance | ESADE
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlo-sala-7a934631/

Emiliano Sergio Verga, Senior Digital Ecosystems Manager | CEFRIEL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilianosergioverga/

Partners

Current edition

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