Basic Knowledge, Design

A few words about what is worth considering before you start the design thinking process

The design thinking process consists of 5 stages: discovery, defining the challenge, creating solutions, prototyping and testing, and planning implementation. However, before you want to use this methodology and start working, it is worth preparing for it. That is why today we would like to help you a little bit with this.

 

Just knowing the design thinking process does not guarantee success. Before you start your adventure with design thinking, it is worth preparing well for it. After all, as Confucius once said, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Below you will find a few issues worth considering before you start working.

Time – how much of it do we need during the design thinking process?

When planning work on a project, there is always a question of how long the entire process will take and how much time to plan for it? Time is one of the most valuable resources, which is sometimes difficult to control. Everyone usually wants it to be fast. In addition to this criterion, there are often wishes for it to be cheap and good. But is it possible? From experience, we know that three scenarios are possible:
  • Good and Fast -> that means it won't be Cheap.
  • Good and Cheap -> unfortunately then it won't be Fast.
  • Fast and Cheap -> then it is never Good.
It is difficult to give a clear answer to the question of how long the design thinking process should take. It depends on many factors, including:
  • project objective,
  • level of challenge complexity,
  • availability of the target group,
  • quality of the research conducted,
  • availability of project team members, etc.
If we can't afford to devote all our time to just one project, consider how much time we can devote to it each day or week.

For whom, i.e. who are the main actors of design thinking processes?

Before starting the design process, it is also worth considering who the so-called main actors of design thinking are. First of all, determine who the recipient/user/client of your project is. This is a group of people for whom you are looking for a solution to a specific problem. It is worth knowing that the design team is also an important actor, i.e. a group of people who jointly develop the best solution for users. Another person worth mentioning is the so-called designer or moderator. This is someone who leads the entire process, determines the course of the team's work, facilitates, motivates and stimulates the rest to action. Such a person makes sure that the process is carried out correctly and that the assumed goals are achieved. The last actor is the sponsor, i.e. the entity commissioning the design thinking process. Before starting work, you should verify with them the assumed goals, target group, expected effect, duration and methods of evaluation. It is also worth consulting progress with them at later stages so that they can provide us with feedback.

Purpose, or why do we start work?

Taking action is incredibly valuable and important, but without the right compass you may not get very far. Therefore, before you start designing, determine the goal of the project you intend to tackle. Its correct definition is crucial to the effectiveness of the entire undertaking. Remember that the goal should be, above all, specific and understandable. It is good for you to define how you will measure the level of its implementation.

Project team size

Another question that often comes up is the size of the project team. It is hard to give a clear answer. It all depends on the subject matter and the level of advancement of the problem that needs to be addressed. However, it is good to remember the rule that the more people, the greater the chance of chaos and ambiguity. It is therefore assumed that the best number of people is between 8 and 16 people.

Space as an important element of the design thinking process

A suitable place to work is an element of the process that is rarely remembered. However, a well-organized space is something that helps a lot in design work. Comfortable conditions really help develop creative ideas. Below you will find a few things to remember when choosing a place to conduct the design thinking process:
  • the available space should be adapted to the size of the design team,
  • there is an adequate amount of daylight in the room,
  • it is the right temperature – not too cold, not too hot,
  • it contains the equipment necessary for work, e.g. computers, projector, printer, etc.,
  • it can be used to create space for intimate activities, such as in-depth interviews,
  • you can separate a relaxation area in it,
  • you will be able to prepare coffee, tea or other drinks that will support the team during many hours of intensive work :)
In such a selected space, tables should also be prepared for work, so that each designated group finds itself at the same one. In addition, a place on the walls will also be useful, where you can hang colorful notes during brainstorming, empathy maps or personas.

What principles of cooperation are worth implementing during work?

At the very end, it is worth recalling a few rules of cooperation recommended during the design thinking process. The shortest advice is the rule "establish the rules of cooperation in advance". At the very beginning, together with the entire project team, develop a formula for design work. This will allow you to maintain order and avoid conflict situations. Keep time. Introducing restrictions is one of the most important factors influencing the success of the project. It is important for a given stage to have a specific time frame. It will never be the case that we will foresee everything, and thus have enough time to develop the issues undertaken. And the last piece of advice - there are no stupid ideas. Build a sense of respect and security in the team, so that everyone shares their thoughts, even the strangest ones. You never know if they will not inspire the entire team to look at a given issue differently or come up with a "fresh" idea for solving the problem. After considering these few issues, there is nothing left to do but get to work. Good luck! :)

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