What is Design Thinking? Human-centered Problem-solving

With the continuing rise of Agile Project Management, a term Project Managers are hearing more often is Design Thinking.
So, in this video, I will answer the question, 'What is Design Thinking?'
Design Thinking is a technical problem-solving method that learns from the world of industrial design. It’s characterized by being very much human-centered – focused on the needs and behaviors of users. It makes incremental changes to improve the way a solution adapts to the needs of users.
It’s also highly iterative. And therefore, it is great for dealing with poorly characterized or partially understood problems. Hence its frequent use alongside Agile methodologies.
And it is empathetic. You need to show empathy for the needs of the people who will use the products or solutions you design.
(Do you want to know what Agile is? https://youtu.be/D5FoRXGa8ic)
There are 4 Phases to Design Thinking:
1. Empathy
2. Essence
3. Experiment
4. Evolution
There are many variants on this process. This one is my own interpretation, so as not to run afoul of any proprietary Design Thinking methodologies.
Empathy
Step 1: Discovery
Understand Users and their needs. Empathize with them and understand their mindsets.
Step 2: Define
Challenge assumptions and redefine the problem until you have a clear understanding of the solution you need to find. State the problem in terms of the solution users need. Frame it in a people-centred way.
Essence
Step 3: Ideate
Find solutions that meet the needs of the people. This is where you create the initial design. Continually challenge assumptions to create a strong idea.
Experiment
Step 4: Prototype
Build a simple model of a solution for the sole purpose of learning
Step 5: Test
Put the prototype to the test. Expose it to users in real situations. Evaluate how it performs and how it disappoints users. Then cycle back to Step 3.
Evolution
Step 6: Evaluate
Once your solution is out there, evaluate its performance. Look at the need for changes.
Step 7: Iterate
Treat the product as a prototype and develop it further, with subsequent versions/releases.
___
Other videos about Agile and Agile-related topics:
What is.
- Agile? https://youtu.be/D5FoRXGa8ic
- a Minimum Viable Product - MVP? https://youtu.be/OUStxocWTso
- Lean Project Management? https://youtu.be/Eptywqps6lw
- the Cone of Uncertainty? https://youtu.be/QZHQv88kYgw
Other Agile Project Management Resources
- Our Agile Project Management Playlist.
.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?listPLsz8d8r2a994Ar3DSebvhVUwEIAxnG3pF
- Agile Learning Roadmap and guide to our Agile resources.
.https://onlinepmcourses.com/project-management-certification-programs/study-agile-project-management/
___
For more great Project Management videos, please subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMZfp1_wquyegVY9SoER0Nw?sub_confirmation1
For all our great Project Management articles and resources, please check out the OnlinePMCourses website: https://onlinepmcourses.com/
For basic Management Courses - free training hosted on YouTube, with 2 new management lessons a week, check out our sister channel, Management Courses: http://youtube.com/c/managementcourses
For more of our Project Management videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management: https://onlinepmcourses.com/free-academy-of-project-management/
#ProjectManagement #Agile #DesignThinking