Course Highlights
This design thinking course will:
- Explain the design thinking process.
- Discuss common roadblocks that can derail a team.
- Introduce a range of popular models and frameworks.
- Demonstrate tools that correspond with each stage in the process, from empathy mapping to prototyping.
Course Overview
Whether it’s a product that makes no sense, a cumbersome process, or another frustrating user experience, designs that overlook the end user risk falling short. This interactive workshop introduces participants to design thinking, focusing on actionable frameworks and tools to guide user-centric solutions.
Participants will explore a variety of tools and techniques used throughout each stage of the design thinking process:
- Understanding the Problem: Tools include empathy mapping, customer journey mapping, stakeholder interviews, and the 5 Whys.
- Unpacking and Sensemaking: Participants will learn to make sense of gathered information with mind mapping, key assumptions, “How Might We” questions, and problem-definition frameworks.
- Ideation and Selection: Techniques such as brainstorming, brainwriting, SCAMPER, and reverse brainstorming will be used to foster creativity and problem-solving.
- Prototyping: Participants will practice low-fidelity prototyping methods, including storyboarding, paper prototypes, role-playing scenarios, and Wizard of Oz prototypes.
- Testing and Feedback: Participants will engage with tools like feedback capture grids, “I Like, I Wish, What If,” A/B testing, and post-testing interviews to gather and analyze feedback effectively.
Through exercises and case examples, attendees will explore how to unpack challenges, generate creative solutions, and test ideas effectively. Design Thinking 101: An Introduction to User-Centric Problem Solving offers participants a foundational toolkit for tackling real-world problems with a human-centered approach. By the program’s conclusion, participants will be prepared to apply these techniques to their workplace challenges, designing solutions that genuinely meet user needs.
The following outline highlights some of the course’s key learning points. As part of your training program, we will modify content as needed to meet your business objectives. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of participant materials prior to the session(s).
Program Objectives
At this program’s conclusion, participants should be able to:
- Articulate the benefits of design thinking.
- Explain the kinds of problems design thinking can address.
- Identify pitfalls teams often encounter when embarking on the design thinking process.
- Describe typical ground rules for effective collaboration.
- Follow a range of design thinking frameworks.
- Apply multiple design thinking tools to their work.
Workshop Modules
- Learn by Example: What Is Design Thinking and Why Does It Matter
- The Functional Design Team: Avoiding Traps and Pitfalls
- Design Thinking Frameworks: Model Options
- Stage One Tools: Understanding the Problem
- Stage Two Tools: Unpacking, Sensemaking, and Insights
- Stage Three Tools: Ideation and Selection
- Stage Four Tools: Prototyping
- Stage Five Tools: Testing and Feedback
- Other Considerations: Implementation
Target Audience
This workshop is designed for groups that want to:
- Gain a foundational understanding of design thinking principles.
- Learn practical tools for implementing user-centric problem solving.
- Develop skills for identifying and addressing obstacles to collaboration.
Suggested Format
- One-Day Onsite Training Course
Questions This Course Answers About Design Thinking
- Where can my team find training on design thinking fundamentals?
- Who offers an interactive course to introduce design thinking frameworks and tools?
- How can my team learn to approach problem-solving with a user-centric focus?