Design Thinking Process - Identify an Opportunity

In the live training session early this week, I introduced the Design Thinking Process & Tools (Online Programme), the Design Thinking Templates I have developed to date, and the Online Tools available for organising a Design Thinking initiative in your organisation.

During the next live training session, this coming Tuesday, May 14th, I’ll introduce you to the first step in the design process using the Design Opportunity Template.

In many organisations, teams struggle to get started with design thinking because they are unclear whether this is the right approach for their growth initiative.

So, during the upcoming live session, let’s clarify the difference between design thinking and conventional rational (strategic thinking) and explore when it is appropriate to use one or the other.

As you can see on this, and my other platforms, I’m more keen on using the term Strategic Design rather than just Design Thinking – this is because, in starting a new profitable growth opportunity, we need both minds at work.

The problem we face as innovators is not only to understand the difference between these two approaches, which are both necessary, but to grasp how to connect them appropriately.

The Design (thinking) Opportunity Template enables you to test the contribution that design can bring to the success of your new project.

There are six questions you and your team need to answer to assess if design is appropriate for the growth opportunity you are envisioning in your organisation:

1. Level of complexity

2. Availability of data

3. Current offer

4. Human centred

5. Understanding of the problem

6. Level of uncertainty

Any successful project begins by engaging team members early in the process and fostering a sense of commitment to it. It’s essential to get your team on board, especially in deciding if design thinking is the right choice for the project, and why.

Secure your spot for the upcoming live training session; seats are filling up quickly.

Meanwhile, it would be awesome if you could watch the video tutorial above and work on the template by downloading it here.