DESIGN THINKING
Design Thinking is an innovation methodology that places user needs front-and-centre in the solution development process. It employs direct engagement with users to zone in on key insights that drive motivation and behaviour. This structured problem solving methodology is reinforced by mindsets and guiding principles that propel its practitioners towards greater teamwork, a shared innovation language, tools and techniques, and empathetic strategies in challenging the status quo.
USER-CENTRED APPROACH
The success of Design Thinking hinges on some of its key attributes - a keenness to discover underlying problems, navigating ambiguity, creativity and imagination, drawing logical conclusions, synthesis and reasoning skills, openness to feedback, and a commitment towards improvement and refinement. These skills become particularly important when dealing with novel challenges that dynamically evolve. After all, the way forward is paved with increasing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA).
Innovation brought on by Design Thinking is not always about making the next hi-tech device. It is about devising solutions that touch its intended end-user in a meaningful way. It is not necessarily about re-inventing the wheel, but rather taking a critical look at problems and asking the question, “can this solution better serve its purpose?”
DESIGN THINKING
Design Thinking is an innovation methodology that places user needs front-and-centre in the solution development process. It employs direct engagement with users to zone in on key insights that drive motivation and behaviour. This structured problem solving methodology is reinforced by mindsets and guiding principles that propel its practitioners towards greater teamwork, a shared innovation language, tools and techniques, and empathetic strategies in challenging the status quo.
USER-CENTRED APPROACH
The success of Design Thinking hinges on some of its key attributes - a keenness to discover underlying problems, navigating ambiguity, creativity and imagination, drawing logical conclusions, synthesis and reasoning skills, openness to feedback, and a commitment towards improvement and refinement. These skills become particularly important when dealing with novel challenges that dynamically evolve. After all, the way forward is paved with increasing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA).
Innovation brought on by Design Thinking is not always about making the next hi-tech device. It is about devising solutions that touch its intended end-user in a meaningful way. It is not necessarily about re-inventing the wheel, but rather taking a critical look at problems and asking the question, “can this solution better serve its purpose?”
STAY AHEAD
Organisations such as IBM, Google, SAP, PepsiCo, Airbnb, GE Healthcare, and PETRONAS Downstream have embedded Design Thinking into its workings not only to stay competitive but to chart new territories in its respective fields. Not surprisingly, Design Thinking is fast gaining traction as the innovation methodology for tackling the complexities and unknowns in the future of business and service delivery.
A CORE SKILL
Whether you are looking to shape your organisational culture, design processes, identify new market opportunities, define problem spaces, or plan public policy, Design Thinking is a core competency that enhances existing skillsets and expertise for your talent to achieve their goals.
STAY AHEAD
Organisations such as IBM, Google, SAP, PepsiCo, Airbnb, GE Healthcare, and PETRONAS Downstream have embedded Design Thinking into its workings not only to stay competitive but to chart new territories in its respective fields. Not surprisingly, Design Thinking is fast gaining traction as the innovation methodology for tackling the complexities and unknowns in the future of business and service delivery.
A CORE SKILL
Whether you are looking to shape your organisational culture, design processes, identify new market opportunities, define problem spaces, or plan public policy, Design Thinking is a core competency that enhances existing skillsets and expertise for your talent to achieve their goals.
THE FIVE STEP PROCESS
We use the five step process to bring structure to the creative problem solving process. This framework is used commonly by Stanford d.school and the d-school at University of Cape Town.
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The wavy lines connecting the circles indicate that Design Thinking is an iterative methodology. It allows its practitioners to start and return to any step depending on the requirements of the project or challenge.
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EmpathiseUnderstanding the way our end-users see and experience things. -
DefineFocusing on the problems that are important to our end-users.
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IdeateCreating possible solutions to the problem.
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PrototypeBuilding representations and experiences that bring the idea or concept to life.
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TestRevisiting users to test the idea or concept through prototypes.
THE FIVE STEP PROCESS
We use the five step process to bring structure to the creative problem solving process. This framework is used commonly by Stanford d.school and the d-school at University of Cape Town.
Read more
The wavy lines connecting the circles indicate that Design Thinking is an iterative methodology. It allows its practitioners to start and return to any step depending on the requirements of the project or challenge.
Read less
-
EmpathiseUnderstanding the way our end-users see and experience things.
-
DefineFocusing on the problems that are important to our end-users.
-
IdeateCreating possible solutions to the problem.
-
PrototypeBuilding representations and experiences that bring the idea or concept to life.
-
TestRevisiting users to test the idea or concept through prototypes.
MINDSET
Design Thinking demands the right mindset to bring the methodology to life. As such, we have the 12 Commandments of Design Thinking to further maximise the impact and outcomes of each step in the Design Thinking process. Internalising these commandments culminate in greater creative and collaborative outcomes.
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Think User-Centric
To never lose sight of the user whose problem is being addressed in the design project.Build On The Ideas Of Others
Being constructive and adding to the ideas of others through a collaborative effort provides for an improved and enhanced solution. One good idea could evolve into a great one through this method.Fail Early & Often
This is really about testing and breaking assumptions as early in the design process as possible. Testing assumptions using low resolution prototypes that are easily modifiable prevent costly mistakes when the stakes are higher.Look For Feasibility Desirability Viability
These are key elements for innovation to happen. When we are able to balance “Do they want this?” (Desirability), “Should we do this?” (Viability) and “Can we do this?” (Feasibility); the idea is bound to rock!Be Visual
A picture quickly captures your idea even better than words can. The more visible you make your idea, the easier it is for your team to quickly understand and build on it.Go For Quantity
To have one or more great ideas, we need to have a whole lot of ideas to choose from. Go for quantity encourages us to be generative as opposed to evaluative to achieve this result. Being generative ensures more novel and unusual ideas being given a chance to surface.Encourage Wild Ideas
Unorthodox or wild ideas should be encouraged as they offer higher disruptive potential. Even if they sound slightly far out of reach, one can never tell how far or where the core idea can take you.One Conversation At A One Time
Ensures that every team member is heard and valued by the entire team. It also ensures that each team member is focused on one idea at a time for more efficient brainstorming.Teach Teams With Teams
To counter biases that we might hold or blind spots that we may have about a problem. It serves as great opportunity to learn from peers to boost motivation, focus and depth of understanding.Stay Focused
To avoid unnecessary repetition and waste of time in a team setting. It also avoids confusion or a mismatch of ideas and solutions.Work Multidisciplinary
Allows the team to leverage on the unique skills sets, experiences, and background knowledge of each member to help view the problem from different angles. This helps form a more well-rounded view of the problem being solved.Allows the team to leverage on the unique skills sets, experiences, and background knowledge of each member to help view the problem from different angles. This helps form a more well-rounded view of the problem being solved.Defer Judgement
To hold off on evaluating any ideas, whether it is your own or the ideas of others. Evaluating the feasibility and viability of ideas or data too early, hampers the generation of radical solutions.
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Think User CentricTo never lose sight of the user whose problem is
being addressed in the design project. -
Build On The Ideas Of OthersBeing constructive and adding to the ideas of others through a collaborative effort provides for an improved and enhanced solution. One good idea could evolve into a great one through this method.
-
Fail Early & OftenThis is really about testing and breaking assumptions as early in the design process as possible. Testing assumptions using low resolution prototypes that are easily modifiable prevent costly mistakes when the stakes are higher.
-
Look for feasibility desirability viabilityThese are key elements for innovation to happen. When we are able to balance “Do they want this?” (Desirability), “Should we do this?” (Viability) and “Can we do this?” (Feasibility); the idea is bound to rock!
-
Be VisualA picture quickly captures your idea even better than words can. The more visible you make your idea, the easier it is for your team to quickly understand and build on it.
-
Go For QuantityTo have one or more great ideas, we need to have a whole lot of ideas to choose from. Go for quantity encourages us to be generative as opposed to evaluative to achieve this result. Being generative ensures more novel and unusual ideas being given a chance to surface.
-
Encourage Wild IdeasUnorthodox or wild ideas should be encouraged as they offer higher disruptive potential. Even if they sound slightly far out of reach, one can never tell how far or where the core idea can take you.
-
One Conversation At A One TimeEnsures that every team member is heard and valued by the entire team. It also ensures that each team member is focused on one idea at a time for more efficient brainstorming.
-
Teach Teams With TeamsTo counter biases that we might hold or blind spots that we may have about a problem. It serves as great opportunity to learn from peers to boost motivation, focus and depth of understanding
-
Stay FocusedTo avoid unnecessary repetition and waste of time in a team setting. It also avoids confusion or a mismatch of ideas and solutions.
-
Work MultidisciplinaryAllows the team to leverage on the unique skills sets, experiences, and background knowledge of each member to help view the problem from different angles. This helps form a more well-rounded view of the problem being solved.Allows the team to leverage on the unique skills sets, experiences, and background knowledge of each member to help view the problem from different angles. This helps form a more well-rounded view of the problem being solved.
-
Defer JudgementTo hold off on evaluating any ideas, whether it is your own or the ideas of others. Evaluating the feasibility and viability of ideas or data too early, hampers the generation of radical solutions.
ENVIRONMENT
The work environment plays a huge role in sparking productivity and openness. It includes aspects related to space setup, furniture, lighting and sound. Each piece of furniture and space at Genovasi d.school Malaysia is intentionally designed for specific learning outcomes.
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For instance, the high stools ensure that participants are not slumped in their seats, and are always in an active posture towards group participation. In fact, you will likely not see any stools in the team space during ideation as it is meant to be an active, rapid-fire session for the team.
Design Thinking practitioners make space work for them – whether its needing to have more efficiently timed meetings, better engagement at events, or a more focused discussion. Playing with elements in a given space is a great way to influence desired behaviours.
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