Enhance & Accelerate your Design Thinking Process
I am a great fan of Design Thinking.
For those that are not familiar with this approach to problem solving or Innovation i will use the definition outlined by The Interaction Design Foundation:
‘Design Thinking is a design methodology that provides a solution-based approach to solving problems. It’s extremely useful in tackling complex problems that are ill-defined or unknown.’
The Design Thinking Process as used by the d.school at Stanford consists of 5 stages:
Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test
This is usually represented in a linear fashion although there are numerous feedback links.
The Design Thinking process is becoming increasingly popular.
But we need to start developing ways to improve and accelerate it.
For example:
The way the process is described suggests that ideate is a specific stage (which it is) but surely we need creativity at every stage of the process?
Finding new and different ways to gain consumer insights can be a creative process.
Defining the problem in human centred ways can or should be creative.
The ideating process can move beyond brainstorming for example.
My key point is this.
Each step and hence the total Design Process can and should be accelerated and made more creative.
This is where the Blitz tool can help.
Blitz is a fast, fun and energising way to think.
It’s built around thinking quickly so as to minimise the often negative internal self-talk we all seem to use.
For example:
You can Blitz how to test your latest prototype.
Generate 9 ways to do this in 2 minutes working by yourself.
Ready, set, Blitz.
In a group setting you can create far more diverse options than normal brainstorming for example.
My point is this.
Design Thinking is a powerful tool.
But it can be made better.
Blitz is one such way.