Here's how you can integrate design thinking principles into your IT problem-solving process.

A crucial step to design and designing to solve a problem is to understand users pain points, without this, I don’t think a problem will sit-well in the market and users hand. A proper user research and a proper journey will help identify how to tackle the issue and design better for a user which helps them solve a particular (life/tech) problem. Not designing with users in mind is just like playing around without an aim.

Picture yourself sitting with a user, watching as they navigate a frustrating task. You’re not just observing their actions—you’re connecting with their emotions, sensing their struggles and understanding the impact on their day. Instead of focusing on technical details, you’re focusing on the human experience. This step is about listening deeply, seeing the issue through their eyes, and building a connection that goes beyond data or reports. Only through this empathy can you truly grasp the problem that needs solving.

Yes, after understanding the pain points, the next is to design with inclusivity in mind and understanding how the users can better use the app and to serve them more. Without this, I don’t think there’s any way a design will be solving a user pain point

After collecting insights, it’s time to step back and redefine the problem. Now, it’s not just a technical malfunction or inefficiency—it’s a human challenge. You realize the solution isn’t just about fixing a bug or streamlining a process; it’s about improving the user’s experience. You take all the insights you’ve gathered and clearly frame the problem in a way that focuses on the user’s needs, making sure everyone on the team understands the human aspect behind the issue.

With a deep understanding of the problem, you gather your team and open the floor to ideas. This is where creativity takes center stage. You encourage everyone to think beyond the usual solutions, brainstorming ideas that might seem unconventional at first. It’s about thinking big and allowing every voice to contribute, building on one another’s ideas. The goal is to come up with innovative solutions that directly address the user’s pain points, no matter how bold or unusual they might be.

Prototyping is another crucial in the design process. Cos why would you design and not be able to clearly and successfully navigate through what you built and be able to present ideas cleanly to either stakeholders or colleagues. A prototype clearly helps users/testers better understand how the flow works and what steps are to be taken to get to the end goal.

Once you’ve settled on a few promising ideas, it’s time to bring them to life—quickly. You create simple, low-fidelity prototypes to test your concepts without heavy investment. These early versions are designed to be fast and flexible, giving you something tangible to put in front of users. By getting feedback early, you can understand what works, what doesn’t, and where to make improvements before committing to a final solution.

Now, it’s time to put your prototype in the hands of real users. You watch how they interact with it, not just collecting data but observing their reactions, frustrations, and successes. Their feedback is crucial, as it shows you whether your solution truly addresses their needs or if adjustments are necessary. Testing thoroughly ensures that the solution you’re building aligns with the user’s expectations and provides real value.

With feedback in hand, the work isn’t done. You refine, tweak, and improve your solution, then test it again. This iterative process ensures that your solution is continuously evolving based on real user input. It’s about staying flexible, open to change, and committed to delivering the best possible experience. The cycle repeats until you have a solution that not only works but delights the user.