The Design Thinking Approach is something that many are interested in due to the great results that it brings. The world is changing rapidly and the challenges we face are often complex, full of ambiguity, uncertainty and unknowns. But in whatever we do, we are all expected to innovate, improve, be more efficient, do more with less,make good use of technology. And what we want to know is how to Innovate?
Use of Design Thinking as a routine approach to innovation is very effective, that’s why we want to focus a little bit more on the clear approach of Design Thinking.
Design Thinking is a human centred approach to innovation.
It is used to solve complex problems in innovative ways, balancing the needs of the people, the business requirements and the best use of technology. And this is not the only approach to problem solving. Where the human centred approach differs, is in putting people at the centre. It starts with a deep understanding of human needs, empathising with people, their needs and desires, their goals and aspirations, their frustrations and pains.
When we talk about a Human Centred Approach to Innovation, we talk mainly about two things:
the mindsets
the process.
The Mindsets
It is all related to 5 very important components: Compassion, Creative Confidence, Curiosity, Courage, and Collaboration. Because this is not the only approach to problem solving. Where the human centred approach differs, is in putting people at the centre. It starts with a deep understanding of human needs, empathising with people, their needs and desires, their goals and aspirations, their frustrations and pains.
The Process
The Process of Design Thinking as a human centred approach to innovation may come under many different labels and number of stages, but now you are able to recognise it and understand how the approach works.
The process itself allows you to frame the problem before coming up with solutions. And this is a big shift in mindset. As soon as we hear a problem, be that at home or at work, we rush to come up with solutions. We are programmed to be helpful, and we are expected to know the answers there and then. It is rare for the problem thrown at us to be the real problem. And as Don Norman says: “A great solution to the wrong problem is worse than no solution at all. So, this process allows you to fall in love with the problem first before coming up with solutions.
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