Design Thinking
Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that applies designers' methods, such as understanding users, reframing problems, generating ideas, prototyping, and testing, to create solutions centered on people's needs.
Design thinking gives teams from any discipline a shared way to work on unclear or complex problems. Instead of jumping to the first solution, the team first builds an understanding of the people affected, then defines the real problem, explores many options, and tests the most promising ones quickly and cheaply. It is often used early in a project, when the problem itself is still unclear, and it treats a failed prototype as useful information rather than a setback.
Design thinking is closely related to human-centered design. Design thinking is usually described as an innovation process with named stages, while human-centered design is a broader philosophy that also appears in formal standards. A common misconception is that design thinking is a linear checklist or a single workshop with sticky notes. In practice, teams move back and forth between stages, and the value comes from testing ideas with real users rather than from the activities themselves.
Key parts
Empathize. Learn about the people involved and their experiences.
Define. State the core problem in terms of human needs.
Ideate. Generate a wide range of possible solutions.
Prototype. Build quick, low-cost versions of the best ideas.
Test. Try prototypes with users and learn what to change.
