AI & Design Thinking: Working Together (using ChatGPT)

Last week, multifaceted design thinking style lawyer, Marty Finestone of Goodlawyer , and I had the opportunity to discuss the benefits of design thinking principles for challenge and opportunity identification, with Laurier University's StartUp Lab Laurier and guests from the ecosystem.

Our conversation shed light on the power of using design thinking in the way we approach problem-solving and innovation.

Design thinking isn't limited to the world of product design or artistic creation; it's a versatile and effective methodology that can be applied across various domains. It's not reserved for tech companies and startups - they are a toolkit for anyone. They are so straightforward, I even use design thinking exercises with my kids - which I'll cover in a future article.

In our discussion, we explored how this approach can be harnessed to consistently define and refine outputs, making it a valuable tool in the innovation lab and consulting space.

One really interesting aspect of design thinking is its ability to change the inputs while consistently replicating the process for defining and refining outputs.

Using ChatGPT to demonstrate problem identification

This approach ensures that we can measure challenges or opportunities in a consistent, comparable way, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data.

The session was also an opportunity to demonstrate a basic demo of how we can create routines and exercises with AI tools like ChatGPT to consistently deliver valuable outputs, while demonstrating the process.

Imagine a scenario where you need to assess a series of challenges or opportunities systematically, but you want to maintain a standardized approach to gather insights and generate solutions. This is where the power of design thinking comes into play.

Originally, the following prompt was created as a way to create an exercise for the entrepreneurs in the startup program to participate in and walk through, however it actually become a demonstration of how we can use AI in the design thinking process.

The Design Thinking Prompt:

We can design a prompt, like the one below, and use ChatGPT to simulate how it can consistently produce outputs that meet our specific criteria:

In this example all I have to type is "Problemize [Insert Company Name Here]"

By plugging in different hypothetical company names, we could consistently generate tailored problem statements, identify potential solutions, and outline initiatives or pilots to address those challenges or opportunities.

In this usage case, this is the process I had the AI create.

The Process:

1. The Company Brief: Start by creating a detailed company brief, including the company's name, industry vertical, revenue, business model, resources, customers, and pain points. This provides a clear context for the problem-solving exercise.
2. The Problem, Challenge, or Opportunity: Develop a list of possible scenarios, challenges, or opportunities that the company might face. Think creatively to create diverse problem statements.
3. The Exercise: Design a structured design thinking exercise for participants to follow. This includes empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing. Encourage participants to work collaboratively and think innovatively.
4. The Identified Problem, Challenge, or Opportunity Statement: Present a hypothetical problem statement based on one of the created scenarios. This should include unique factors related to the company and industry.
5. The Solution: Suggest potential solutions and initiatives to address the identified problem. This part of the exercise demonstrates how design thinking can lead to actionable insights.

The beauty of this approach is that it can be customized for various industries and challenges. Whether you're working on optimizing processes in a legal firm, identifying growth opportunities in a startup, or exploring AI automation, design thinking provides a structured and creative framework.

For transparency and see behind the wizards curtain, here is the Full ChatGPT we wrote actually wrote and its output (demo workshop content):

Karl: Act as a design thinking expert, and together create a group activity to teach basic design thinking process for challenge, problem, opportunity identification and solving (understanding the problem, and presenting a potential path to a solution)

We aim to split the room of attendees up into 3 or 4 groups of about 5 or 6 people.

Generate a list of hypothetical companies and vertical that they are in to use as the basis to create scenarios around for demonstration and role play purposes.

The Company Brief: First, create a list of hypothetical potential businesses for each of the breakout groups to pick and "become". 

From here, create a customized brief about what the inserted company is and does. 

- A Fun but related name to the businesses
- What vertical they are in
- the amount of revenue they generate
- what that business does, sells or provides
- what resources they depend on, who their customers or clients are, 
- a list of what their current pain points are, both internally as a company and externally for their industry or target market.

The Problem, Challenge or Opportunity: Create a list of possible problems, challenges or opportunities they could be facing (and for us to use for working through our design thinking exercise). Think outside of the box on creating the problem statements, come up with some hypothetical problem, challenge or opportunity scenarios  that this company might face.

The Exercise:  
Create the design thinking exercise we will use to get the groups to flesh out that problem, challenge or opportunity, and solution identification.

Create the format of the exercise for how that group can work through their chosen problem statement (from the list or choose their own).
- Suggest roles associated with the company name and vertical that can be used in a role playing exercise.

- Create a list of generic design thinking questions that they can ask, to draw out the answers that they can use in presenting and shaping a problem/opportunity statement and a solution. 

The Identified Problem, Challenge or Opportunity Statement: From the created pain points, challenges or opportunities, present some hypothetical statements, and pull one out to be used as an example to show and complete the demonstration of the exercise.

With those statements, give some unique factors to them as a company and industry & feel free to include some hypothetical industry or external factors that could be impacting their business or industry

The Solution: 
Create a brief that now articulates the series of potential problems you've identified as a true problem statements, pick one of the main problems, and complete the exercise as an example. Show and what a response or solution to that problem might look like, and some potential initiatives or pilots that could be implemented to work towards solving that problem.

Let's call this "Problemizing" so if I say "Problemize [insert company name here]" you then go through, create the content and process above, do you understand?

If you understand this, give me a list of 25 hypothetical business names and verticals to be used to generate these responses. 

====================================================================
ChatGPT: Absolutely, I understand your request for a "Problemizing" exercise. Let's start by creating a list of 25 hypothetical business names and verticals:

EcoTech Innovations - Renewable Energy
TechGenius - Tech Support Services
GreenEats - Sustainable Food Delivery
HealthWave - Telemedicine
EduQuest - Online Education
UrbanScape Solutions - Urban Planning
EcoTronics - Eco-Friendly Electronics
KidVoyage - Child Travel Experiences
HealthyHarvest - Organic Farming
EcoRide - Electric Bike Rentals
TourTales - Storytelling Tours
TechNest - Technology Incubator
UrbanHarbor - Sustainable Real Estate
EcoFuel Inc. - Clean Energy Solutions
KidTech Innovations - Educational Toys
HealthyHub - Wellness Marketplace
EcoMovers - Sustainable Moving Services
EduJourney - Study Abroad Services
MediWell - Healthcare Technology
GreenPrint - Eco-Friendly Printing
TourTreks - Adventure Travel
TechBloom - Technology Consultancy
UrbanLiving Innovations - Eco-Friendly Urban Development
EcoSolutions - Green Building
KidVenture - Child Enrichment Programs
Now, let's go through the "Problemizing" process for one of these hypothetical companies as an example. Please choose one from the list, and I'll provide a customized brief, exercise, and solution.

Do you have a specific company from the list that you'd like to use for this demonstration?

====================================================================

Karl: Problemize KidVenture

====================================================================

ChatGPT: Certainly! Let's "problemize" KidVenture, a hypothetical company in the Child Enrichment Programs vertical.

Company: KidVenture

Company Description: 
KidVenture is an organization that provides enrichment programs and activities for children, focusing on creativity, skill-building, and personal development.

Business Model: 
KidVenture offers a variety of classes, workshops, and camps for children, encouraging them to explore their interests and learn new skills in a fun and educational environment.

Resources: 
The company relies on a team of instructors and facilitators, as well as access to suitable venues for their programs. They also use an online platform for class registrations and communication with parents.

Customers/Clients: 
KidVenture serves parents and guardians who want to provide their children with educational and enriching experiences. Their clients include families with children aged 3-16.

Pain Points:

Parent Pain Points:
Difficulty in finding high-quality, engaging extracurricular activities for their children.
Concerns about safety and supervision during classes and workshops.
Limited information about the outcomes and benefits of KidVenture programs.

Instructor Pain Points:
Challenges in creating engaging and age-appropriate curriculum.
Administrative burdens related to class registration and communication.
The need for professional development opportunities.

Design Thinking Problem Identification Exercise for KidVenture:

Empathize: 
In groups, conduct interviews with parents who have enrolled their children in KidVenture programs and instructors who lead these programs. Understand their pain points, motivations, and experiences.

Define: 
Create a clear problem statement based on insights gathered during the empathy phase. For example, "How might we enhance the KidVenture experience to provide parents with greater confidence in the value and safety of our programs, while also supporting instructors in their professional development?"

Ideate: 
Generate innovative ideas as a group to address the identified problem. Encourage participants to think creatively about curriculum development, communication strategies, and safety measures.

Prototype: 
Develop a prototype or concept that could address the problem. This might involve creating an informative parent portal, offering instructor training programs, or implementing enhanced safety protocols.

Test: 
Gather feedback from KidVenture parents and instructors on the proposed solutions. Iterate and refine the solutions based on their input.

Example of a Solution for KidVenture:

Solution: 
KidVenture can launch a "Parent Knowledge Hub" on their website, offering detailed information about the educational benefits of their programs, safety measures in place, and testimonials from satisfied parents. Additionally, they can introduce "Instructor Development Workshops" to support their team's professional growth.

Initiatives or Pilots:

Pilot the Parent Knowledge Hub with a select group of KidVenture programs and gather feedback from parents.
Conduct an Instructor Development Workshop series with a focus on curriculum design and effective communication.
By "problemizing" KidVenture, we've created a scenario, identified a problem, suggested potential solutions, and outlined initiatives or pilots to address the problem. This approach helps participants understand how design thinking can be applied to real-world challenges in the child enrichment programs industry.        

Why Design Thinking Matters:

Design thinking empowers us to look at challenges and opportunities from multiple angles, fostering creativity and innovation. It encourages collaboration, empathy, and a user-centered approach, all of which are essential in today's rapidly changing landscape.

Integrating AI automation tools like ChatGPT into the design thinking process showcases the potential of technology to enhance and streamline our problem-solving capabilities. It illustrates how we can use AI to consistently generate outputs that align with our objectives and needs.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology, it's crucial to embrace methodologies like design thinking. It's not just a problem-solving tool; it's a mindset that encourages us to see opportunities in every challenge and to approach them with curiosity, empathy, and creativity.

If you have any questions regarding the design thinking process, the integration of AI automation tools, or how to create your own "Problemizing" exercises, please feel free to reach out.

I'm always open to sharing knowledge and exploring new ways to do cool sh*t.