Applied Design Thinking in SAP Implementation

Tim Brown, CEO at IDEO defines that “Design thinking can be described as a discipline that uses the designer’s sensibility and methods to match people’s needs with what is technologically feasible and what a viable business strategy can convert into customer value and market opportunity.”

Design thinking is not just a technique or a methodology, it is a very people-centric process, both in the way it is exhausted and in its key principles and goals. Eventually, it’s about people. If people do not accept a solution, they might find very innovative workarounds.

Design is not just about the looks and the feel. It’s about how it works. Below is an excellent example of innovative method to deliver a satisfying solution because there is often a huge time gap between the occurrence of needs and the delivery of solution. There is a methodology consisting of iterative activities, with a people centric focus. Design thinking is a process flow. Below diagram designed by SAP explains the end to end procedure:

The design team runs through the complete Design Thinking cycle and its respective iterations, having frequent Design Thinking sessions or workshops. During research, the team approaches users to collect data. Typically, this is done by observing and interviewing them in all-day environment. In addition to that, all key phases’ results get validated with the key-users, especially, of course, the designed prototype.

Design Thinking techniques are integrated into the phases and activities of more “classic” implementation approaches. Because of the nature of Design Thinking, this is especially meaningful at the beginning of a project, where Design Thinking helps to frame the scope, identify pain points and define user requirements very efficiently.

Of course, Design Thinking isn’t the only one in the world of methodologies. It does not replace other methodologies like ASAP (Standard SAP Implementation Method). EAF (Enterprise Architecture Framework), PMI (Project Management Standard) and so on. Instead, Design Thinking complements the existing methodology toolbox.

Looking at SAP software implementation projects, an important field of application is the early phases of the development life cycle, where generation of new ideas is in the foreground. Another area of application is the “Blueprinting” phase, where Design Thinking can help in identifying pain points and user requirements very efficiently.

But this is just a rough attempt. As already pointed out, Design Thinking techniques can be applied, whenever there is a need for creative problem solving.

5 Phases of Design Thinking framework

Empathize: What is the Problem to solve?

Define: Why is solving this problem important?

Ideate: How do we solve it - through a process, product, relationship or a service?

Prototype: How do we create a solution? Fail fast and cheap.

Test: Does the solution work? Start implementing the results and refining it as you scale.

In conclusion, Design thinking should be an essential part of any project implementation if we wish to ensure that all stakeholder are equally involved in the development process.

Reference: SAP material on Design Thinking