FACULTY OF BUSINESS SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTING

Título:
Gestión De Proyectos: Desing Thinking

Autor(a):
Vargas Cueva Jassury Dennise

Docente:
GUISELA LILIANA LOPEZ SANCHEZ

CHIMBOTE — PERÚ

2024
 I. INTRODUCTION

Design Thinking is a problem solving methodology that has gained widespread

recognition for its ability to foster innovation and drive creative solutions across a
wide range of industries. At its core, Design Thinking is a human-centered approach
that prioritizes understanding the needs, desires, and behaviors of users. By
focusing on empathy, collaboration, and iterative design, this methodology enables
teams to create products, services, and processes that are not only functional but
also truly resonate with the end user.

Unlike traditional problem solving methods, Design Thinking encourages flexibility

and adaptability, allowing teams to continuously refine and improve solutions through
prototyping and testing. The process is inherently iterative, meaning that instead of
following a linear path, teams revisit and re-evaluate solutions as new insights
emerge. This makes it particularly useful in environments where the problem is
complex, and solutions are not immediately clear.

Originally developed in the field of product design, Design Thinking has since
transcended its origins to become a widely adopted approach in areas such as
business strategy, healthcare, education, and technology. The success of major
companies like Apple, Google, and IDEO in using Design Thinking to drive product
development and innovation has highlighted its effectiveness in tackling challenges
that require both creativity and practicality.

In this report, we will explore the key principles of Design Thinking, break down its
phases in detail, and examine how it can be applied to various fields. We will also
discuss the numerous benefits it offers, from fostering innovation to improving
collaboration within teams, as well as the challenges organizations might face when
implementing this approach. By the end of this report, it will be clear why Design
Thinking is not just a method for designers, but a transformative mindset that can
help solve a wide array of modern challenges.
 II. DEVELOPMENT

2.1. History and Origin of Design Thinking

● Origin: The roots of Design Thinking can be traced back to the 1960s, with
contributions from Herbert Simon, an influential figure in the fields of design
and decision-making. In his work The Sciences of the Artificial, Simon
proposed a structured approach to problem-solving, which later evolved into
what we now recognize as Design Thinking. The methodology was further
refined and popularized by design firms like IDEO in the 1990s and 2000s,
particularly through their focus on human-centered design.
● Evolution: Over time, Design Thinking has grown from its initial application in
product design to become a key strategy in various industries, including
business management, healthcare, education, and even social innovation.

2.2. Core Principles of Design Thinking

● Human-Centered: At the heart of Design Thinking is a deep understanding of

the needs, desires, and behaviors of users. The process begins by
empathizing with the users and gathering insights to guide the solution.
● Iterative: Design Thinking is not a one-way process; it involves constant
refinement and iteration. Teams revisit earlier stages, revising prototypes and
solutions based on feedback and new findings.
● Collaboration: Design Thinking encourages interdisciplinary collaboration,
bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to generate a wide
range of ideas and perspectives. This fosters creative thinking and helps
identify more comprehensive solutions.
● Prototyping and Testing: Rapid prototyping is a key element of the
methodology. Creating simple, low-cost prototypes early on allows for quick
testing and feedback, which leads to continuous improvement.

2-3. The Phases of Design Thinking

● Empathize: This first phase involves understanding the user's needs,

motivations, and pain points through research, interviews, observation,
 and other qualitative methods. It is crucial to gain deep insights into the
problem from the user's perspective.
● Define: In this phase, the team analyzes the information gathered during the
Empathize stage to define a clear and concise problem statement. This
ensures that the team addresses the right challenge.
● Ideate: The Ideate phase is all about generating a wide variety of potential
solutions. Brainstorming sessions and other creative techniques are used to
encourage thinking outside the box and explore different possibilities.
● Prototype: Prototyping is the process of turning ideas into tangible forms.
This could be a sketch, a model, or a digital mock-up. The goal is to create a
prototype that can be tested and refined.
● Test: During the Test phase, prototypes are tested with real users, and
feedback is gathered. This feedback informs further iterations of the product
or solution. The process is highly iterative, meaning teams might return to
earlier stages based on what they learn.

2.4. Applications of Design Thinking

● Product Innovation: Design Thinking is widely used in product development

to create user-centric products that solve real problems. It helps design
products that are functional, intuitive, and desirable.
● Business Transformation: Companies are increasingly adopting Design
Thinking to rethink their strategies, enhance customer experiences, and
streamline operations. The focus is on creating value for the customer while
driving business success.
● Education: In educational settings, Design Thinking is used to encourage
creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. It helps students learn by doing
and provides them with tools to approach challenges in innovative ways.
● Healthcare: Design Thinking has been applied to redesign healthcare
systems, improve patient experiences, and streamline workflows within
hospitals and clinics. It focuses on improving both the efficiency of services
and the quality of patient care.
2.5. Benefits of Design Thinking

● User-Centered Solutions: Design Thinking ensures that the solutions

developed meet the real needs of users. This increases the likelihood that
products and services will be successful in the market.
● Encouragement of Creativity: The methodology promotes out-of-the-box
thinking and helps break down traditional problem-solving constraints. It
encourages teams to generate a broad range of ideas before settling on a
solution.
● Improved Collaboration: By bringing together individuals from different
disciplines, Design Thinking fosters effective collaboration, resulting in more
holistic solutions.
● Risk Reduction: By testing prototypes early on, Design Thinking helps
identify potential issues and risks before significant resources are invested,
leading to more refined solutions and a better chance of success.

2.6. Challenges of Design Thinking

● Time and Resources: The iterative nature of Design Thinking can be time-
consuming and resource-intensive. It may require a substantial investment of
time, effort, and materials to continuously test and refine prototypes.
● Resistance to Change: Organizations that are accustomed to more
traditional, linear approaches may find it difficult to adopt Design Thinking.
Shifting to a more flexible, user-centered mindset can be challenging.
● Scalability: While Design Thinking works well in smaller teams or projects,
scaling the methodology for large organizations or complex systems may
require adaptations and robust frameworks to ensure consistency across the
process.

III. CONCLUSIÓN
Design Thinking has proven itself to be an invaluable methodology for tackling
complex, multifaceted challenges across various industries. Its human-centered
approach, which prioritizes empathy and deep user understanding, ensures that
solutions are not only creative but also relevant and meaningful to the people they
aim to serve. By embracing an iterative process, Design Thinking allows teams to
continuously refine their solutions, adapting them based on real-world feedback and
testing. This dynamic nature of the methodology makes it especially effective in fast-
paced, ever-changing environments where flexibility and innovation are key.

Moreover, the collaborative aspect of Design Thinking brings together diverse

perspectives, fostering an environment where creativity can thrive and leading to
more holistic and well-rounded solutions. This cross-disciplinary approach also helps
break down silos within organizations, encouraging communication and teamwork
that can have long-term benefits for company culture and problem-solving efficiency.

Despite its many advantages, the implementation of Design Thinking is not without
its challenges. The time and resource-intensive nature of the methodology may pose
barriers for some organizations, especially when scaling it to larger teams or
projects. Additionally, overcoming resistance to adopting a new, non-linear approach
can be a significant hurdle, particularly in companies accustomed to traditional
methods. However, as organizations continue to embrace the importance of
innovation and user-centered design, these challenges can be mitigated with proper
planning, training, and leadership support.

Ultimately, the value of Design Thinking lies not just in its ability to create functional
products and services, but in its potential to shift organizational mindsets and drive
long-term, sustainable innovation. As industries continue to evolve, the principles of
Design Thinking — empathy, collaboration, and iteration — will remain crucial for
solving some of the most pressing problems facing businesses and society today. By
adopting this approach, companies can not only develop better solutions but also
build stronger connections with their customers, ensuring continued success in an
increasingly complex world.
IV. References
● Brown, T. (2009). Change by design: How design thinking creates new
alternatives for business and society. HarperBusiness.
● Liedtka, J., & Ogilvie, T. (2011). Designing for growth: A design
thinking tool kit for managers. Columbia Business School Publishing.
● IDEO. (2015). The field guide to human-centered design. IDEO.
● Brown, T. (2008). Design thinking. Harvard Business Review, 86(6),
84-92.
● Buchanan, R. (1992). Wicked problems in design thinking. Design
Issues, 8(2), 5–21. https://doi.org/10.2307/1511637
● Johansson-Sköldberg, U., Woodilla, J., & Çetinkaya, M. (2013).
Defining the need for design thinking. Creativity and Innovation
Management, 22(2), 121–132. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12023
● Kelley, D., & Kelley, T. (2013). Creative confidence: Unleashing the
creative potential within us all. Crown Business.
● Plattner, H., Leifer, L., Meinel, C., & Beckmann, M. (2010). d.school
bootcamp bootleg. Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford.
● Norman, D. A. (2013). The design of everyday things. Basic Books.