design thinking

a way to aPPROACH problems in a user-centric way

Design thinking is a hands-on, user-centric approach to problem solving can lead to innovation, which in turn can lead to differentiation and a competitive advantage. This practical, human-centred approach is defined by the Design thinking process and consists of six phases -as illustrated to the right.

The core idea is that you first empathize with your customers or users, then define the problem clearly, and then ideate possible solutions. After that you prototype the most promising path and test that with users/customers prior to fully developing and launching it.

THE BENEFITS OF DESIGN THINKING

There are clear benefits to applying design thinking to business challenges - whether to figure out which new product to launch and find product/market fit, or if you seek to improve a process or build a learning program.

Some of these benefits are:

  • You start with empathy and user data and test your ideas with real people

  • You get various stakeholders involved and include different perspectives - which reduces bias and get’s you buy-in internally

  • You’re testing ideas early -which means you can do this at speed and relatively low cost

  • This means you’re de-risking and figuring out early if an idea has value

  • Plus, you’re infusing customer-centric thinking more widely across your organization - because this is a way of working that should certainly NOT be limited to the design department

design thinking vs design sprints

There is always a bit of confusion around what is design thinking versus a design sprint. And it’s relatively simple - a Design sprint is a specific time boxed way of applying going through the Design thinking process.

In a Design sprint you can achieve the work that is normally done within the space of 3-4 months, if conducted in standard meetings, emails and a lot of back and forth, within a single week.

Yes, that’s true - within 7 days (excluding preparation time) - but it is truly astonishing how much can be achieved by a team within such a short time span. Whether you’re exploring a new product idea or want to develop a company-wide learning program - the format works for pretty much any challenge. The key is in preparing well (ideally including a problem framing deep dive) and having a good facilitator. (Hi 😁)

design thinking learning journeys

Learning journey - App experience

black and white circular arc design

To extend the momentum generated through workshops, deep dives or off-sites and embed customer-centricity in your organization -

let your teams continue growing through app-based micro-learning.

The first hybrid learning journey that’s ready to be brought to your teams is - DESIGN THINKING FOR CUSTOMER CENTRICITY & SUSTAINING INNOVATION

    • Meet your teams where they are, integrate learning into every day.

    • Instil customer-centricity into real work challenges

    • Practice & learn in small bites, across an extended timeframe of 3-months

    • Offer innovative hybrid learning and development that creates connections and AHA moments

    • Increase retention & scale learning across your org through different cohorts.

  • An ideal group size is between 10-15 participants per cohort, so as to build meaningful connections and engaging (on-site or remote) workshops to start and finish.

    However, you can easily scale this and run several cohorts as needed.

  • Each learning journey lasts for 3 months and includes a kick-off and a wrap-up workshop.

  • The way learning & development should be. Weekly, small doses and inputs with access to the coach and learning cohort every other week through open office-hours. And throughout via the learning app.

Flowchart illustrating hybrid learning journeys with steps: goals and topics, kickoff workshop, app-based learning, remote meetups, coaching, and wrap-up workshop.

LEARNING JOURNEYS

How learning journeys work

A brainstorming session board covered with colorful sticky notes, including yellow, blue, orange, and green. Each note contains handwritten text and ideas, some of them emphasizing topics or questions relevant to the session, indicated by phrases like "how fascinating!" and "goals." The board appears to facilitate planning or organizational strategy.

1| Kick-0ff -
on-site or online

All learning journeys start with the team connecting through an on-site or online workshop to create momentum and define the problem space together.

I am are currently offering this for in-house teams within the same company (but get in touch if you are looking for a different set-up).

Screenshot of a mobile app discussing design thinking, mentioning Tim Brown and the Double Diamond framework. Includes options to view related articles on "Design Thinking" and "Double Diamond," and a button to "Read it later."
Person covered in yellow sticky notes sitting indoors.

2| Twice weekly
app-based impulses

Keeping the momentum and the learnings alive matters if you want to change the way you work.

Through an App each team member receives micro-learning units in various engaging formats to embed learning into everyone’s daily work.

Journeys are 3 months long, so the change in mindset really becomes a habit.

Through the app participants also have direct access to the coach, in case of issues or urgent questions.

Smiling woman with blonde hair in a white jacket sitting at a desk with a laptop and colorful stationery.

3| check-ins every other week & coach access at all times

This is a space to ask questions, solve challenges and discuss how things are going when applied to real-world problems.

I offer open office hours for the whole group every other week to further deepen the topics.

Most of all though, these are meant to connect, discuss and learn from each other.