4 Similarities of Design Thinking vs Strategy Action Plan ??
Daniel Ling
Head of UX Design | CEO & Founder, Emerge Creatives Training Co | Author | ex-Lazada, DBS, OCBC and Income
Introduction
After delivering both Design Thinking and Strategy frameworks for past 15 years..? here's my revelation..? ??
I found 4 similarities and 4 differences between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan.
In essence, as a layman- Strategy Action Plan are used by "consultants" as a sexier version of Design Thinking.. similar to when Lexus is perceived as a sexier brand but runs on Toyota engine. ????
Strategy Action Plan is indeed run on a Design Thinking engine.. and many of the mindsets run similarly.. however, I want to open up the details and make clarity:
Here's the similarity:
1?? Understanding and Empathy
Both Action Plan focused on understanding the context or learn from perspective of the users.
2?? Problem Framing:
Both frame the target problem and action based on insights gained from the previous Phase.
3?? Ideation and Decision Making:
Both apply creativity and ideation to generate solutions and will require decision-making in collaboration.
4?? Implementation and Iteration:
Both will implement the chosen solution and continuously iterate based on feedback and insights.
With this two Action Plans- if Design Thinking can 10X your value in the marketplace- then Strategy can double your 10X easily. Let's deep-dive into their similarities .. get to work. ????????
1?? Understanding and Empathy ??
I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan- PART 1
In both Design Thinking and Strategy Action Plans- understanding and empathy are foundational. By deeply comprehending the context and perspectives of the target audience, we create solutions that truly address
Needs.
Pain points.
Delighters.
This approach not only ensure insights and clarity that will help to define the issue or problem better.?
For example- the Empathize Phase (Design Thinking) focus on target users to understand their needs so that you can further define the key problem to solve later.
In Diagnose Phase (Strategy)- we take a different approach to look for an organisational perspective in understanding context, trends, competitors and future personas in order to have empathy.
These Phases (Empathize and Diagnose) in the both Action Plan- are easily the most crucial mindset shift amongst all frameworks - empathy - where most of us so readily leave out in our quest to solve problems or make strategies.
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2?? Problem Framing ??
I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan- PART 2
Both Design Thinking and Strategy Action Plans- emphasize the importance of framing the problem accurately. By leveraging insights gained from Empathize Phase (Design Thinking) or Diagnose Phase (Strategy), we can define a current problem or forecast a future challenge effectively.
This clarity helps in focusing efforts on what truly matters. Remember, a well-framed problem is half-solved!
Key mindsets:
Ask the right questions.
Think critical.
Collaborate and discuss as a team.
Be structured.
Align with business and creative lens.
However,? higher difficulty of Frame & Forecast Phase (Strategy) is the fact that the challenge may only happen in the future- it may or may not happen!
This requires more than just defining a VUCA problem perceived right now but a potential VUCA challenge in the FUTURE. So on top of the above convergence mindsets, we also need divergence ability to brainstorm the future scenario as well!
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3?? Ideation and Decision Making ??
I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan- PART 3
Creativity and collaboration are at the heart of both Design Thinking and Strategy Action Plans.
In these frameworks, ideation sessions bring diverse perspectives together to generate innovative solutions.
Following ideation, collaborative decision-making ensures that the most promising ideas are selected for implementation. I have mentioned in many of my trainings- if you are doing Design Thinking or Strategy alone.. it's time to tender your resignation. ????
Come together.
Brainstorm.
Create.
Discuss.
Decide.
These are the basics of how Design and Strategic Thinking works!
4?? Implementation and Iteration ??
I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan- PART 4
Implementation is not the end, but a new beginning in both Design Thinking and Strategy Action Plans.
After decision-making of potential solution to problem or a future challenge, we begin to build it- it could be a prototype (During the Prototype and Test Phase in Design Thinking) or it could be a business strategy (During the Decide and Implement Phase).
The key mindset is to drive that the "building" will hve
Continuous iteration
Get feedback and insights
Have constant refinement
Align and collaborate closely
It's OK to fail and TRY AGAIN!
Let's embrace iteration for continuous improvement for both Design Thinking and Strategy! ????????
Last Words
I will be adding more articles on Design Thinking throughout the year. Articles of Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test will be added periodically to give my readers a broader insights to Design Thinking.
Check out more articles via my blog:
Follow me on social media:
Instagram- @designthinkersgroupdtv
About the Author
Daniel Ling is a regional Design Leader, and certified Design and Agile Coach with 15 years of experience in the financial and e-commerce tech space- who moulded himself to be a “designer in a business suit”- strong in the Design Thinking process and yet relevant to the industry. He is proficient in the digital and transformational space- in the area of design leadership and management, research, strategy planning and coaching.
How to sign up for his WSQ Certification Courses:
WSQ Design Thinking: https://www.emerge-creatives.com/wsq-design-thinking-certification-course
WSQ Entrepreneurship Business Planning: https://www.emerge-creatives.com/entrepreneurship-business-planning
Where to get Complete Design Thinking Guide for Successful Professionals?
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