A Prototype Toolkit for Developing Design Thinking Skills for Non-Designer Managerial Level

Abstract

This research is based on theoretical and practical concerns about the concept of Design Thinking (DT), its background, characteristics, process models, and process toolkit. Besides the literature review, a qualitative analysis of Stanford d.school is a well-known model of the DT process, and applied DT tools were made. The research provides a critical approach to DT to help the management better understand the benefits. The idea can be put into practice in business and help the managerial level become more creative thinking. Ten CEOs, both design and non-design backgrounds, were interviewed to identify the outlook of their business problem-solving and business innovation management process. DT workshop was provided with seven cross-disciplinary middle managers as participants to answer the two research questions: (1) What method is used for business problem-solving? (2) How does a manager integrate DT into their innovation processes? (3) How can a manager's creative skills and mindsets be optimized base on DT methodology? Evaluate the DT workshop format's impact and outcome in a non-designer context; all participants were asked to evaluate their understanding of DT before and after the workshop. After attending the workshop, all participants grow skills and mindsets in the field of DT. They applied the DT method in their projects, including ideation and development prototyping. All workshop participants planned to apply DT methods in their future projects. The impressive results in such a limited time frame by diverse Design Thinking teams promise to integrate DT in their problem-solving and Innovation process.