Overview
Design Thinking is a solutions-based methodology for tackling complex problems that are ill-defined or unknown. The approach has been adapted by both business and engineering teams to resolve challenges ranging from internal team conflict resolution to product development. Some of the methods used in Design Thinking include understanding human needs, re-framing problems in a human-centric way, brainstorming new ideas, and adopting a hands-on approach in prototyping and testing.
In this instructor-led, live workshop training (online or onsite), participants will learn how to apply the five stages of Design Thinking to better understand the problems experienced by end-users of a product or service, then develop the best approach for resolving them.
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Use creative strategies to match customers’ needs with technologically feasible solutions.
- Formulate a strategy to increase customer value and enhance product and service offerings.
Format of the Course
- Interactive lecture and discussion.
- Lots of exercises and practice.
- Hands-on implementation in a live-lab environment.
Course Customization Options
- To request a customized training for this course, please contact us to arrange.
Requirements
- Experience with designing and/or developing software solutions for customers
Audience
- Developers
- Project managers
Course Outline
Day 01
Introduction
- Customer-centric vs tech-driven innovation
Overview of Solution-based Thinking
- Structured thinking and the Design Thinking methodology
Tools for Design Thinkers
- Mind maps, idea generators, innovation matrix, what-if cards, etc.
Design Thinking for Product Development
- Identifying the real user of your product
Case study
- “Spying” on the customer
Gaining an Empathic Understanding of the Customer’s Problem
- Drawing pictures of the customer’s natural behavior
- Mapping the customer’s actions on a timeline
Defining the Problem with the Current Solution
- Identifying the key problems experienced by the user of your product
- Categorizing, visualizing, and estimating the value of solving key problems
Exercise
- Customer journey: Creating a timeline with pictures, emails, quotes and actions.
- Analyzing the key problems
- Deciding which problems to solve
- Presenting your findings
Day 02
Generating Ideas
- Using visualization, mapping, and storytelling to create solutions
Prototyping a Solution
- Tools and methods for validating concepts rapidly
Testing and Iterating
- Real-time testing
- Validating, communicating, and releasing your innovation
Case study
- Fail often, fail fast
Using Design Thinking for Resolving Internal Issues within the Development Team
- Seeing conflict as a positive force for invention
- Managing conflict through debate and discussion
- Empathy as a key ingredient
Exercise
- Building ideas as a team
- Mocking up the prototypes
- Communicating your innovation
- Presenting your findings
Summary and Next Steps
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