- This fast-paced workshop introduced the tenants of design thinking while participants when through the process for each stage. Design thinking is a non-linear, sometimes cyclical process that is centered around people. The human experience is at the core of understanding the problems that persist for organizations, especially for nonprofits.
- There are five stages in the design thinking process:First, empathize. This stage begins with a conversation with stakeholders and constituents impacted by the problem. Design think facilitators should begin with a conversation with constituents, listening to them and digging deep to gain understanding of their experience. The goal is to connect with the feelings and motivations of the people experiencing this problem before attempting to solve it.
- Second stage, define the problem. Facilitators can define the problem experienced by the constituent by looking for problems. Using a statement, facilitators should reframe the issue, characterizing the actors, and explaining why this issue is a problem. This process helps simplify the elements that are a part of the problem and their roles and circumstances.
- Stage three, ideate. This stage is where the process of problem-solving begins. With the knowledge and understanding of the issue from the perspective of the constituents, the facilitator can brainstorm solutions to resolve the issue. During this stage, no idea is too radical and there are not logistical limits. The goal is to generate a series of solutions (as many as possible). After the ideas are generated, the constituents provide feedback on each solution. The goal is not to "sell" any solutions to the constituent, rather, to listen to their feedback and hear what they liked and didn't like about the many solutions offered. Constituents should be empowered to speak freely and facilitators should accept this feedback as "a gift."
- Stage four, prototype. Likely the most creative stage, the prototype stage is where solutions are developed into working models. Using the feedback from the proposed solutions from the ideation stage, facilitators make a quick and dirty model of their solution. The goal is not to create a finished product. The goal is to make a prototype that can be meaningful to the constituent.
- In the workshop we developed our own prototype models. Here are some of the best ones:
Design thinking in action w/arts &crafts. Building prototypes to solve morning routine issues. #13ntcdt pic.twitter.com/V5afZ5kWJikWJi
Design thinking workshop prototypes! #ntfc #13ntcdt #pterosauroffreespeech pic.twitter.com/F5vkcaARiiARii
- The final stage of the design thinking process is to test the solution. The most practical solution isn't always the best. Facilitators should continue to collect feedback from the constituents to ensure the solution is working.
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From Empathy to Innovation: Design Thinking for Nonprofits
Edutopia's Betty Ray and museum web strategist Dana Mitroff Silver facilitate a crash course in design thinking to develop solutions to complex nonprofit problems. This hands-on workshop had attendees flying through the steps of design thinking while learning the process.
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