Design Thinker capabilities have been used by companies like Apple, Nike, IBM and government agencies like the Australian Taxation Office and the National Health Service of the UK to create innovative solutions to meet 21st century needs. Recent research suggests that firms leveraging these skills outperform market expectations and tangible financial value. Chesson Consulting uses a Design Thinking framework to help companies tackle challenges. We use an evidence-based approach based on the research of Dr. Dani Chesson.
The Design Thinker Approach
Dani teaches companies how to use Design Thinking to respond to the changing marketplace. Below is a high-level overview of Chesson's Design Thinker Process developed through research and tested in solving real-world challenges:
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The Design Thinking Process begins with understanding the challenge. While many problem solving approaches begin this way, Design Thinking is unique in that it emphasizes taking an empathetic human-centered approach. Here we look to understand how people are impacted by the challenge. This stage focuses on gathering information to learn about desirable solutions.
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The next stage of the Design Thinking Process is about conceptualizing solutions. Here we engage in generative thinking to imagine how we may alleviate the challenge. The focus in this stage is to come up with as many ideas as possible so we can find viable ways of solving the challenge.
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This stage is about selecting some ideas to test out so we can determine feasible solutions that can be implemented. Here we engage in piloting, prototyping, and collecting input to understand the feasibility of solutions.
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The final stage of the Design Thinking Process is to implement the solution(s) we have determined meet the three criteria of desirability (what customer want), viability (add value to the company), and feasibility (practical in the marketplace). Here we focus on planning, communicating, and executing change.
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Building Design Thinker Capabilities
Learning the Design Thinking approach is only the first step to mastering this way of working, you also have to build capabilities. This is why Dr. Dani Chesson developed Chesson's DESIGN THINKER PROFILE, this assessment helps teams understand their Design Thinking capabilities. Once we know where your capabilities are we can create a customized plan for strengthening and leveraging these capabilities.
The Six Core Capabilities of a Design Thinker are...
Optimistic About Solutions: Design Thinkers view problems as challenges to be overcome.
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Empathetic & Human-Centered: Design Thinkers are curious about people's experiences.
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Idea Generators: Design Thinkers are able to imagine possibilities.
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Visually Expressive: Design Thinkers are comfortable with creating visuals to communicate their ideas.
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Collaborative: Design Thinkers realize that great solutions do not happen in isolation. They seek input and engage others.
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Embrace Risk & Learn from Failure: Design Thinkers see risks and failures as part of the solution finding process.
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Solutions Created Using Design Thinking
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Sales Group redesigns their sales process using a human-centered approach, increasing productivity by 27% and reducing annual operation costs by $3M.
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Software Team creates new approach for managing client requests and increases productivity by 42% by engaging in generative thinking to reimagine their work processes.
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Consulting Firm increases social media following by 50% and increases sales leads by developing and testing out various engagement strategies.
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