book

Design Thinking For Dummies

by Muller-Roterberg

July 2020

Beginner

304 pages

7h 54m

English

For Dummies

Audiobook available

Read now

Unlock full access

About This BookConventions Used in This BookFoolish AssumptionsWhat You Don’t Have to ReadHow This Book Is OrganizedIcons Used in This BookBeyond the BookWhere to Go from Here
This Is Design ThinkingSeeing What Design Thinking Can DoUnderstanding the Basics of Design ThinkingStart Design Thinking Right Away
Focusing on People Early OnMore than Traditional Market ResearchFinding the Lead UserActively Involving the Lead UserDeveloping EmpathyIllustrating IdeasFailing in Order to LearnEnsuring Diversity on the TeamOffering Team-Oriented and Creative WorkspacesMaking the Process Flexible Yet Focused
Ensuring a Positive AttitudeEncouraging the Willingness to ChangeArousing CuriosityAsking For (and Receiving) Support from the TopAsking For (and Receiving) Creative FreedomEnabling Fast Decisions in the Design Thinking ProcessTolerating Mistakes During Design ThinkingFind the Competencies You Need for the Task at Hand
Defining the Project GoalsPlanning Work PackagesCorrectly Planning for the SequenceCorrectly Planning for Your ResourcesCorrectly Planning for the Project Budget
Assembling the TeamClarifying Communication within the TeamArranging WorkshopsDesigning Common Spaces
Finding the Right Search AreaA Well-Defined Task Is a Task Half-SolvedIdentifying Knowledge GapsSystematically Closing Knowledge GapsEstimating Influences on the TaskReformulating the Task

Recognizing Empathy as a Key to SuccessProceeding with EmpathyCollecting InformationEvaluating Information
Putting Observations to Proper UseThoroughly Preparing Your ObservationsYour Observations in a Systematic FashionApplying Consistent Observational Methodologies
Finding the TaskFocusing On the Right PeopleRecognizing the Needs of Your Target UsersAnalyzing Needs as TasksSelecting the Most Important Wishes and ProblemsDetermining the Right Point of View
Mastering the Creative ProcessOpening Up Sources of New IdeasUnderstanding the Creative PrinciplesKnow the Success Factors for Increasing CreativitySelecting the Appropriate Creativity Techniques
Solving Difficult Problems Intuitively and CreativelyGenerating Ideas by BrainstormingInspiring with Random WordsGetting New Stimuli through ProvocationsChanging Perspectives with the Walt Disney MethodAssuming Different Mindsets with the Six Hats Method
Selecting the Right Evaluation MethodRelying on Diversity in the Team for Your EvaluationsQuickly Selecting IdeasEvaluating the Advantages of (and Barriers to) IdeasEvaluating Ideas with ChecklistsMaking the Chances for Success Measurable
Understanding the Benefit of ExperimentsClarifying Tasks in the Prototype PhaseDeveloping and Using Prototypes EfficientlyUsing Different PrototypesMaking Ideas Clear and Tangible
Clarifying Tasks in the Test PhaseTesting with InterviewsTesting with Online StudiesLearning from Test Results
Ensuring Good PreparationFinding the Right EntryTaking Notes CorrectlyListening ActivelyPaying Attention to EmotionsAlways Following UpConcluding Discussions SuccessfullyCompleting a Sufficient Number of InterviewsPostprocessing InterviewsUsing Every Opportunity
Prepare the StructuresEncourage Collaboration and Communicate OpenlyCreate a Sense of UrgencyEstablish a Leadership CoalitionCommunicate a Vision for the Culture of InnovationEstablish a Company Culture Tolerant of MistakesBroadly Empower EmployeesOvercome ResistanceCounter ObjectionsCurb Euphoria

Content preview from Design Thinking For Dummies

Chapter 6

Understanding the Task

IN THIS CHAPTER

Defining the search field

Clarifying the task and its causes

Collecting and evaluating missing information

Capturing new perspectives of the task

In the first phase of the design thinking process, you have to define the search field and understand the task that you want to solve. To accomplish this, you have to analyze the task and examine the determining factors and causes and then reformulate the task so that you can identify new facets. You should take the time to gain this basic understanding of your task because this is the only way to carry out the next steps in your search for ideas in a meaningful way. Only when you have compiled this information can you decide which technical perspective you must integrate in the steps ahead and which expertise is relevant.

Finding the Right Search Area

You've decided you want to develop something new. To do that, you first have to define what it is that you’re actually looking for. Is it in response to a specific customer problem, a customer wish, or the application of a particular technology ...