Design Thinking for Problem Solving

This assignment focuses on understanding and applying Design Thinking as a problem-solving methodology. It examines the core principles, stages (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test), and various examples of how design thinking is used to address real-world challenges. The text also highlights the importance of empathy, collaboration, and iteration in the design thinking process.

Running head: ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT 1
Engineering Management
Student’s Name
University’s Name

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT 2
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Concept of DT.................................................................................................................................3
Theories and models underpinning DT:.......................................................................................5
Reflection – what is it, why do we need it and how can we do it?..................................................7
A Framework for Design Thinking..............................................................................................8
Process of DT...............................................................................................................................9
Example of professional practice in Engineering..........................................................................12
Development needs....................................................................................................................14
Self-Assessment on knowledge & Personal development.............................................................14
Learning.....................................................................................................................................14
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................15
References......................................................................................................................................16

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Introduction
This assignment explains about the implementation of design thinking to find the solution
and creative ideas & innovation in professional management. Engineering management is the
profession where technological problem solving skills are required with organizational, planning
abilities and administrative management to analyze the operational performance in
entrepreneurship. Design thinking helps to develop innovative ideas, logical decision making,
process thing that eliminate operational waste (McCormick, 2008).
This assignment states about the learning of the conducted workshop during classes. This
study explains the concept and implications of design thinking and its model and theories that
help in brain storming and to find innovative ideas. In end, this assignment also discuss about the
learning of design thinking in our personal and professional development.
Concept of DT
Design thinking is known as methodology to solve complex problems & find desirable
solutions. It is not necessary that a designed mind set is only problem focused; it must be an
action oriented & solution focused towards creating preferred future. DT draws upon
imagination, logic, intuition & systemic reasoning to explore the possibilities of what & how
could be - & to create beneficial outcomes for the end users. It utilizes the elements from
designer’s toolkit like experimentation and empathy to arrive at creative and innovative
solutions. With the applications of design thinking, an individual can take decisions on the basis
of upcoming demand instead of relying on historical data and making risky bets on assumption
basis. It helps to take the stand on evidence basis (IDEO, 2017; Creativity at work, 2017).

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(Creativity at work, 2017)
Thinking like a designer: This statement motivate us to think as an artist or designer
whose creativity attracts others to watch their work. Here, work depicts the actual solution or
production for a particular field. Thinking like a designer transforms the way that develops
processes, products, services & strategy. This approach also designs thinking that brings together
what is needy or required from human point of view and technologically feasible &
economically viable. This method also allows individuals who aren't trained as designers to use
creative tools to address a vast range of challenges. (IDEO, 2017)
Now, we discussed about the basic principles of the design thinking and creative thinking
ideas and these are as follows.
Design thinking principles:
There are some basic principles which draw the structured format for design thinking &
these are as follows:
1. Solving ‘wicked’ problems: It referred as the wicked problems that are ill defined or
tricky in nature. For such wicked problems, general thrust of the problem can be clear,

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so considerable time & effort need to spend in order to clarify & analyze the
requirements. (Burnett, 2016)
2. Human centred and empathetic: this principle state that all the designed activity
should be social in nature and such social innovation bring this design thinking towards
human centric point of view. (Siang, 2017)
3. Observation: This one is the important principle of DT because without observation
no one can understand the actual problem and the reasons behind these problems.
Ultimately, observation provides the base for innovative and creative thinking.
4. Visualisation: After observation, it becomes important to visualise the situation to sort
out the solutions for the creating issue.
5. Prototyping: Prototyping in which designer create various solutions to overcome the
situation. Prototyping is the actual doing phase of the design thinking method. (Siang,
2017)
6. Experimentation and active learning: After the findings of solutions, this is the time
to experiment or implement with creative method and learning phase from the applied
method.
7. A ‘beginner’s mind set’: It is essential to innovate something that beginner’s mind
should be ready to follow the DT process to find the creative idea and innovate their
designing.
(Young, 2016)
Theories and models underpinning DT:
There are some important theories and models given which helps to make effective design
thinking process & these theories & models are as follows:

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 Logic of reasoning: Reasoning depends up to the applied logic during the thinking
process. So, it becomes easy to understand the created issue with the application of
appropriate logic.
Basic reasoning pattern:
WHAT + HOW = desired VALUE the ‘frame’
 Divergent and convergent thinking: Our thinking must be divergent & convergent
during the design thinking process. Otherwise, it will impact on our innovative ability
and creativity.
 Triple Loop Learning: Triple loop learning model is also called a transformational
learning model that involves learning method i.e. “how to learn” by reflecting that “how
we learn”.It also includes the enhancing ways to grasp and change our purpose &
developing better understanding of respond to the environment, and deep comprehension
of why we choose to do the things that we do. (Click4it, 2009)
(Click4it, 2009)
 Philosophical Worldview: Mostly philosophical ideas remained hidden in process but
they still effect & influence the practices of need to identify the issue and to create

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something innovative. This theory helps to choose the qualitative, quantitative & mixed
method to enhance the overall efficiency during design thinking process. (Sagepub, 2008)
 Action Research: This one is either research initiated to find the solution of immediate
problem. It is also a reflective procedure of progressive problem solving that led by
designers with others team member or it is a part of "community of practice" to enhance
efficiency & improve the way that address the issues & solve problems. (Research
Methodology, 2017)
 Creative Learning Spiral: Creative learning spiral helps to look for & discover new
issues or problems. Designers use spiral of creation, image, play, and share and reflect as
continuous loop that helps to frame the design thinking process. The important point of
such spiral in learning is that it encourages the continuous work i.e. both imaginative &
reflective. (Reich, 2017)
 Co-creation/co-design: Co-design is used as a powerful force for innovation, creativity
and collaboration in design thinking process. As we are involved in the tricky issues and
solutions, so co-creation & co-design is an important tool to create innovative ideas in
our profession. (Medium, 2016)
Reflection – what is it, why do we need it and how can we do it?
These question states about our actual doings and their requirements and our ability to do.
It express itself the whole process and situation in which design thinking process is being applied
i.e. the reflection of the design thinking process. It can be understand with brief explanation from
the given image of the design thinking procedure.

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(Creativity at work, 2017)
A Framework for Design Thinking
Framework for design thinking depicts about the structure for the whole process. It
covers whole journey of innovation and solutions for the created issue. It started with the
discovery of strategic topic in which solution is required and in which scope of innovation is
required then it became end with the appropriate outcome. Here, the given figure explains the
framework in Design thinking.

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(Creativity at work, 2017)
The above given framework integrates classic & creative problem solving with art & design
methodologies. Design thinking offers structured & appropriate framework for understand &
pursuing the innovative ideas. The cycle involves discover & observation unmet need within the
constraints & context of particular situation, opportunity & scope of innovation, idea generation
& testing to refine the solution.
Process of DT
Design thinking process is a solution based approach that solves the problem. It is extremely
useful process in tackling the complex problem that is unknown or ill-defined. It is the inclusion
of human needs that can be recognized by brainstorming session (SIANG, 5 stages of design
thinking, 2017). Basically, there are 5 stages of DT process which can be visualized from the
following figure.

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Here, these 5 important steps are being discussed & these are as follows:
1. Empathize:
This is the first stage of DT process that tries to gain an empathic overview and
understanding of problem that need to be solved. It involves the consultation of experts to
explore more about the concerned area through deep observation, engaging & empathizing to
have a deep understanding of the involved issue.

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2. Define (the problem):
In this stage, people putt all the collected information together during the Empathize stage.
It includes the analysis of observations & synthesizes it in order to explain the core problem
which has identified up to this point.
3. Ideate
During this stage, designers start to generate the ideas. As they have grown to understand
their users and their needs during Empathize stage & they analyzed it in define stage. With this
solid background they are able to think outside of the box & identify new solutions for the
specified problem.

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4. Prototype
The designer’s team is now ready to produce inexpensive & scaled down version with
specific features product or service plan. At the end of this stage, designer team has better idea of
constraints within the product.
5. Test
In this stage, Designers rigorously test the complete test or implemented solution with
required specific features. Sometimes, this stage is often used to redefine more problems which
create gap in the expectations & actual present result (Siang, 2017; Simon, 1996).
To understand the importance of professional practices of design thinking, we take the
example of APEGA institute that permits for professional practice to an organization for
practicing on engineering in Alberta. On the basis of the structured guidelines by APEGA an
organization must have a PPMP (Professional Practice Management Plan) i.e. appropriate for its
practices which is being followed by its professional members. It describes the process,

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corporate policies, and systems that used to ensure in engineering work done on behalf of this
organization. This management plan helps to maintain the professional, technical & ethical
standard at the organization (APEGA, 2017). With the help of applied professional practices at
APEGA, we can understand the how these professional practices help to enhance the overall
efficiency and to maintain a standard in work. Professional practices management plan is a brief
description of the required technical and professional resources that are essential to design
innovation creation. As we are talking about the engineering profession, we can take the example
of software engineering. So, here we are going to discuss about the importance of professional
practices of design thinking for a software engineer.
Design Thinking is used as a methodology for creation of innovative ideas. Its integration
with development processes in large IT companies has important value. On the basis of the
previous research study and literature reviews, designers created a prototypical process, known
as DT@SCRUM, that promotes the gradual transition with design thinking to software
engineering activities. This process has prototypically tested in ME310 project and it revealed
the several aspects that this experimental process requires further testing verification and
recognized the scope of better version. In particular, previous study aimed to test the feasibility
of this Scrum's Planning Poker to analyze the required effort in DT activities. In addition, a well-
structured process proposal needed to apply integrated design thinking process in their software
development activities. Here, it can be concluded from the previous study that every designing &
testing need a proper procedure to understand the requirement, problems, upcoming demand &
technology. Then, an appropriate product & solution can be produced & created. (Uflacker,
2014).

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Now, we can understand the importance of these professional practices in our career as
well as in our personal life. To enhance our thinking into more innovative manner, we can apply
these theories in our life.
Self-Assessment on knowledge & Personal development
On the basis of the self-assessment on my knowledge and my personal attributes, I have
find some strengths and weaknesses & these are as follows:
Strengths:
 Research skills
 Attention to detail
 Reliable
 Hard-working
 Able to take initiative
 Analytical skills
Weaknesses:
 Time-keeping
 No work experience related to academic studies
 Lack of confidence when dealing with people
 Lack of spreadsheet and database skills
Development needs
With the help of self-assessment, I found some development needs that are necessary to
grow in my career as well as in my personal life. I found that I am good at analytical reasoning
and research skills; I realize that I can be an innovator to create something in my profession but I
need to overcome with my weaknesses i.e. lack of confidence and database skills. So, this gap

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creates the need of development then I can utilize my strength points but with mitigation of
weaknesses. To develop and innovate something, it is required to understand the development
needs. Then it is required to work on required action plan the help of implementation of design
thinking process, a suitable solution can be generated.
Action Plan
Self-assessment helps me to write down my strengths and weaknesses and development
needs influence me to do something creative in my career. As an engineer, I want to design in a
creative manner with innovative thinking. The theory related to design thinking helps me to
enhance my analytical skills. Now, it is the time to take action towards my goal. As we know,
that an action plan helps us to turn our imagination into reality. With the help of this planning, I
became clearer with my required actions.
(Work Ish, 2017)

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Action Plan for next 6 months
For the next 6 months, I would to follow a timetable for all my activities related to my
study and home as well. I have to improve my communication skills to overcome the weakness
of lack of confidence. I will try to take part in all the classroom activities. I also would want to
get apprenticeship program to get actual experience related to my profession. To enhance my
thinking in an innovative manner, I would like to perform brainstorming activities on daily basis.
Implementation of Action plan with appropriate timeframe
As we all have limited time so it is required that action plan should be implemented
within predetermined timeframe. It helps to accomplish more activities in a shorter period. I
would implement my action plan with appropriate timeframe or timetable.
Impact of design thinking implications on personal development:
Due to the implications of design thinking process, I found a change inside me. It helps
me to be a more disciplined person who cares about the deadlines. Now, I try to think with logics
and reasoning to explore more & more. Design thinking is not only problem solving oriented, it
is also innovation oriented approach. So, it does not help me to find the solution of the created
issue but also influence me to create a new invention in my work. It motivates me to explore the
opportunities and innovative ideas in my mind.
Learning
During the whole workshop related to design thinking, creativity and innovative thinking,
I learnt lots of thing that help me in all way. This DT module helps us to give a deep
appreciation for the practices of innovation. Reflection & sharing of design thinking practices on
one’s experience helps to elicit key learning points & specific ways of the principle that can be
applied in own practices in our professional life. It also reflects our values, behavior & belief.

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Such tactics makes our management skill more effective. With the help of principles of DT, we
can create own design method & tools for our projects in engineering profession. The main
learning is the grasping of fundamental principles of DT and innovative methods & problem
solving technique. It also helps us to create an effective environment for design team to work
with high efficiency in their activities.
Conclusion
Engineering management is the profession where technological problem solving skills are
required with organizational, planning abilities and administrative management to analyze the
operational performance in entrepreneurship. This study explains the concept and implications of
design thinking and its model and theories that help in brain storming and to find innovative
ideas. In end, this assignment also discuss about the learning of design thinking in our personal
and professional development. It is not necessary that a designed mind set is only problem
focused; it must be an action oriented & solution focused towards creating preferred future. This
theory suggests us to think like a designer. With the help of applied professional practices at
APEGA, it can be identified that these professional practices help to enhance the overall
efficiency and maintain a standard in work. Professional practices management plan is a brief
description of the required technical and professional resources that are essential to design
innovation creation. It can be concluded here that design thinking is not only problem solving
oriented, it is also innovation oriented approach which shows the way to innovate something. So,
it does not help to find the solution of the created issue but also influence us to create a new
invention in our profession as well as in personal life.

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References
APEGA. (2017). Professional Practice Management Plan. Retrieved 2017, from APEGA:
https://www.apega.ca/members/ppmp/
Burnett, D. E. (2016). Design Thinking. Retrieved 2017, from thefastcompany:
https://www.fastcompany.com/3064188/how-design-thinking-can-help-you-solve-lifes-
wicked-problems
Click4it. (2009, JULY 22). Triple-Loop Learning. Retrieved 2017, from Click4it:
http://click4it.org/index.php/Triple-Loop_Learning
Creativity at work. (2017). Design Thinking as a Strategy for Innovation. Retrieved 2017, from
creativity at work: https://www.creativityatwork.com/design-thinking-strategy-for-
innovation/
IDEO. (2017). Design Thinking. Retrieved 2017, from IDEO:
https://www.ideou.com/pages/design-thinking
McCormick. (2008). Design Thinking + Process Thinking. Kellogg.
Medium. (2016, Oct 15). Co-design: A Powerful Force for Creativity and Collaboration.
Retrieved 2017, from Medium: https://medium.com/@thestratosgroup/co-design-a-
powerful-force-for-creativity-and-collaboration-bed1e0f13d46
Reich, J. (2017, March 8). The Creative Learning Spiral: Starting with Your Imagination in
Design Thinking. Retrieved 2017, from EdTechResearcher:
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/edtechresearcher/2017/03/the_creative_learning_spiral_s
tarting_with_your_imagination_in_design_thinking.html
Research Methodology. (2017). Action Research. Retrieved 2017, from Research Methodology:
https://research-methodology.net/research-methods/action-research/

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Sagepub. (2008). Philosphical worldview. Retrieved 2017, from sagepub:
https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/27395_Pages5_11.pdf
Siang, R. D. (2017, September). 5 stages of design thinking. Retrieved 2017, from Interaction
Design Foundation: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/5-stages-in-the-
design-thinking-process
Siang, R. D. (2017, August 16). Design Thinking: Getting Started with Empathy. Retrieved 2017,
from Interaction Design Foundation: https://www.interaction-design.org/.../design-
thinking-getting-started-with-empathy
Simon, H. A. (1996). The Sciences of the Artificial. London: MIT Press.
Uflacker, D. M. (2014). How can Design Thinking improve Software Engineering Processes .
Retrieved 2017, from HPI: https://hpi.de/dtrp/projekte/projekte-201314/how-can-design-
thinking-improve-software-engineering-processes-ii.html
Work Ish. (2017). Personal development plan. Retrieved 2017, from pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/moconnolly29/work-ish/
Young, D. (2016, June 9). Design Thinking Principles, Process, and Methods. Retrieved 2017,
from The K12 Lab Wiki:
https://dschool-old.stanford.edu/groups/k12/wiki/51de2/Design_Thinking_Principles_Pro
cess_and_Methods.html