agile-guide english

Design Thinking

Design Thinking

The first step in the process is to understand the problem of the target group and to

define all influencing factors in the problem area. An open-mindedness towards the

problem is important. As part of this process, the Design Thinking Team should be

brought to the same "expert level", which is based on a central and time-consuming

research activity.

Intensive observation of users in their natural environment provides important

insights that are compared with the assumptions made in the first step. It is all about

observing and talking directly to the user to get a real idea of the target group. It is

important to widen the view and not to focus solely on the actual core problem,

because often information can be found directly next to the problem focus. The

knowledge of understanding and observation must be visualized.

The aim is to gain a common understanding of the problem within the team. The

acquired information and insights are visually applied to the walls of the variable space.

An implicit interpretation (visual synthesis) is achieved by the type of arrangement on

the walls. In addition to the synthesized information, tensions can also be expressed

within the collected data and findings. At the end of the research, a common view of the

user's needs is defined and depicted in a visually condensed form.

Through the application of different creative techniques (brainstorming, changing

perspectives,...) ideas for innovations or the solution of problems are found. External

persons can also be integrated, who are often helpful in finding ideas. The

emphasis should also be placed on visualization and visual design. The developed

ideas are sorted, structured, grouped and summarized.

Design thinking focuses on rapid and iterative prototyping. The aim is to illustrate the

ideas found and test them within the target group. Prototypes can take on many

different forms to support the further development of ideas. This is not a functional

alpha version.

The prototypes are tested directly with the target group. If an idea fails, it will be rejected

as quickly as it was created. Prototypes are created and tested until the customer is

convinced of the idea.

At the end of the Design Thinking process there is a clear and validated

idea, which can now be implemented.

Understand

Observe

Point of view

Ideate

Prototyping

Test