Applying Design Thinking to a Project

The following figure show some examples on how to apply Design Thinking.

These are just examples. Of course, there are many more ways to run a Design Thinking project or integrate Design Thinking approaches into any project.

This figure shows the overall customer engagement cycle and relate approaches.

Within the early engagement phase (mystery space), a Design Thinking workshop can help to explore a topic an identify the relevance for a company.

Afterwards, when a high level solution vision has bee defined, Design Thinking is the ideal approach, to drive the vision forward towards implementation.

The actual implementation might be done based on agile principles (in case of a software development project).

This figure shows the straight forward way of a plain Design Thinking project.

The design team runs through the complete Design Thinking cycle and respective iterations, having frequent Design Thinking sessions or workshops.

During research, the team approaches users to collect data. Typically this is done, by observing and interviewing them in their all days environment.

In addition to that, all key phase results get validated with key-users - especially, of course, the designed prototypes.

This figure shows another way of leveraging Design Thinking within implementation projects.

Hereby Design Thinking techniques are integrated into the phases and activities of more "classic" implementation approaches.

Because of the nature of Design Thinking, this is especially meaningful at the beginning of a project, where Design Thinking helps to frame the scope, identify pain points and define user requirements very efficiently.

Of course Design Thinking stands not alone in the world of methodologies.

It does not replace other methodologies like ASAP (Standard SAP Implementation Method), EAF (Enterprise Architecture Framework), PMI (Project Management Standard) and so on.

Instead, Design Thinking complements the existing methodology toolbox.

Looking at SAP software implementations projects, an important field of application is the early phases of the development life cycle, where generation of new ideas is in the foreground.

Another area of application is the "Blueprinting" phase, where Design Thinking can help to identify pain points and user requirements very efficiently.

But, this is just a rough sort-in attempt. As already pointed out, Design Thinking techniques can be applied, whenever there is a need for creative problem solving.

User Story Mapping is a method, which can be used as interface between Design Thinking and Implementation.

It is a user-centric methodology for breaking down a solution vision or other results of a Design Thinking project and set the ground for implementation.

The method can be used to structure data and transform results into implementation backlog items.

The map has to be created with the complete design/development team and should be validated with users and stakeholders.

The figure shall remain you: are you prepared?

To run a Design Thinking workshop, you need a Design thinking compliant room setup.

Key elements of such a room setup are a lot of space to move around and a lot of whiteboard space.

Ideally, the room has a comfortable and unconventional atmosphere.

A classical meeting room, with fixed tables (for example, grouped in U-shape) is not appropriate.

Do not forget to have enough material and supplies in the workshop room.

During workshop execution, track all results and team spirit by video or photo.

Send a debrief document to all participants, describing the workshop atmosphere and with all the workshop results briefly after the workshop. All participants must be able to answer the question "How was it?" easily.

During post-production, further elaborate and visualize the workshop outcome with experts.

You might add feasibility and viability aspects to the workshop outcomes.

If there are outstanding go/no-go decisions regards the overall results of a Design Thinking project, build a solution draft with business case/ ballpark implementation effort, high level architecture, UX mockup/click-through simulation for presentation to decision makers.

This solution draft can also be used as a fundament to transform Design thinking results into a backlog for implementation.

Within the context of UX centered design challenges, the creation of mock-ups are a good way to detail out screen designs and drive paper based prototypes further towards implementation.

An initial mock-up can be part of the workshop postproduction, but typically, the creation of mock-ups is again an iterative and creative process with further end-user validations.

Video maker tools like Magisto can help to make the debrief even more appealing.

You can take few random photos and short videos of your workshop, then you use the app to create a fancy video in just few clicks that will mash up all the photos and videos .

Then before the demo of the prototype in your workshop you can show this video to the "judges" to show them how hard the teams worked all day.

It creates a good vibe before the prototype demos.

The figure illustrates some tips about so called ice-brakers in workshops.

The figure illustrates the main tip: are you really listening?

Further details/explanations:

I don't care

This is the apathetic guy that sits in the corner and doesn't contribute at all. They just bring down the mood in the room and sap others energy.

The Talker

This person gets the microphone and wont let go, they just keep talking and talking.

The Know It All

This person seems to always know everything even if they are wrong and are not interested in listening to anyone, they also argue a lot.

The Wonderer

Also known as the derailer, they get stuck on an idea or have their heads in the clouds and every time they talk it just doesn't seem to be relevant.

The figure shows key qualities and key characteristics a good Design Thinking coach should have.

All these characteristics apply to a Design Thinker in general, but even more to a coach.

The personal characteristics of a coach are important, as she or he will influence and inspire the team work with them.

At the end of the session, perform a wrap-up of the second day.

Perform a "round the table pulse check" on the very last two post-its for today.

One sentence "I like …" and one "I wish …"

Close the training with good wishes for all and a big thank you.