Design Thinking and Human centred design

Tackling society’s most complex challenges by putting people and communities at the centre of the design process

Darren Menachemson Principal, ThinkPlace

Executive Director, the ThinkPlace Foundation

@thinkplace

What is design thinking and HCD (and why should you care)?

Design thinking is a way of looking at the world.

Human centred design is a method – processes, techniques, rules of thumb - that you

use to “do” design thinking

It looks at complex things from the perspective of the people who will use or be affected by them.

From this… Channels

Roles

Process Info

Legislation

Organisation

Culture Functions

People

Interactions

Users

…to this

Channels

Process

Info

Tech

Experience

It tolerates ambiguity and doesn’t try to reach clarity or agreement too quickly.

It urges explorative and evaluative research, to build understanding and empathy.

It brings many voices and perspectives together, and gets them working.

It prototypes, experiments, fails, learns, and iterates.

It reframes challenges to force fresh thinking.

You can apply design at the system level…

the program/service level…

And the product level…

Name of last doctor you saw

Needs/preferences

Emotional

response

Actions and activities

Understanding and interpretation

Needs/preferences

Emotional

response

Actions and activities

Understanding and interpretation

Desirable Viable

Possible

Needs

Preferences

Habits Norms

Beliefs Networks

Culture Fears

Aspirations

(Based on Doblin Group DVP model)

Desirable Viable

Possible

Needs

Preferences

Habits Norms

Beliefs Networks

Culture Fears

Aspirations

Measurable

Grounded in competencies

Partner/stakeholder aligned

Ethical

Compatible

Sustainable

Feasible business model

Strategically aligned

Desirable Viable

Possible

Needs

Preferences

Habits Norms

Beliefs Networks

Culture Fears

Aspirations

Measurable

Grounded in competencies

Compatible

Ethical

Partner/stakeholder aligned

Sustainable

Feasible business model

Strategically aligned

Timing

Legislation

Budget

Technology Regulation

Desirable Viable

Possible

Needs

Preferences

Habits Norms

Beliefs Networks

Culture Fears

Aspirations

Timing

Legislation

Budget

Technology

Powerful ideas

Measurable

Grounded in competencies

Compatible

Ethical

Partner/stakeholder aligned

Sustainable

Feasible business model

Strategically aligned

Regulation

Gradian Health Systems, 2015

Reliable power Trained professionals Easy supply of parts Easy supply of oxygen