Have you ever faced a problem whose solution was not obvious? One that seems to have no precedent in your area or across the company? It is this type of obstacle that Design Thinking seeks to solve, finding innovative solutions that can make all the difference in a business, especially in contexts that involve solving complex problems.
According to Prof. Dr. Edson Barbero, "the essence of Design Thinking is what makes the difference, not the tool." He highlighted the importance of the fundamentals of the methodology in an exclusive class for students of Saint Paul's online course platform. Check out his tips for going beyond the tools!
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The importance of Design Thinking in solving complex problems
The three central pillars of Design estonia whatsapp data Thinking
Re-signification and exercising creativity
Macro steps of Design Thinking
Apply Design Thinking to your leadership
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The importance of Design Thinking in solving complex problems
There are several techniques for exercising creativity, such as brainstorming and mind mapping. While these tools are effective, the true practice of Design Thinking goes beyond that. It is necessary to understand and incorporate its fundamentals to solve complex problems in an innovative way.
The main goal of Design Thinking is to solve people-centered problems. This means delivering solutions that truly make sense, whether it’s a product, service, or business strategy. To achieve this, it’s essential to be empathetic, deeply understanding the needs and characteristics of those involved.
"Design Thinking puts the 'who' before the 'what' or 'how'. Understanding people and their pain points is the first step to solving complex problems effectively," explains the professor.
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The three central pillars of Design Thinking
To implement innovative and effective solutions, Design Thinking balances three pillars: desirability, technological feasibility and financial viability. The solution must be useful and, at the same time, tangible. According to the professor, "it is necessary to seek a synergistic thinking of 'and', instead of 'but'".
Re-signification and exercising creativity
Exercising creativity is not exclusive to geniuses. Thinking of something innovative involves redefining what is already part of our lives. "What often limits creativity is that we see the world in a fixed way," says the professor.
Some brands have innovated by redefining their products, such as sports companies that sell not only clothing, but also attitude. Design Thinking challenges us to see new possibilities, being an essential tool in solving complex problems.
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Macro steps of Design Thinking
The Design Thinking process is not linear. It involves empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing, but allows flexibility to go back and improve if necessary, as illustrated in the following infographic:
Macro steps of Design Thinking
Apply Design Thinking to your leadership
Do you want to continue studying the subject and improve your leadership skills? Using Design Thinking is a powerful tool for solving complex problems and exercising creativity in the business environment.