Design Thinking is not just a Process, but Change in Mindset.

Most companies are optimized to execute and solve a stated problem. Creativity is about finding the problem worth solving. Digital transformation is accelerated disruption of business models and requires a mind-set shift from problem solving to problem finding.

Design Thinking focuses more on exploring the right problem and then solving it. The entire process involves divergent and convergent thinking in different phases which is powerful for innovative solutions.

Giving an example from the book Solving Problems with Design Thinking by Jeanne Liedtka which has a case of "The Good Kitchen" story where Municipality of Holstebro hired a Danish Design Consultancy firm to -Fix the Menu .

The municipality leadership of Holstebro saw the problem initially as straightforward in order to get seniors eat more, the current menu just needed improvement.

This is a great example of how narrow a definition of the problem to be solved can drive a lot of innovation out of the window before you even get started.

So,once they progressed in the case using Design Thinking tools they found that the scope of problem was much broader and not restricted just to fixing the menu but rather in the over all experience of not only the elderly people but also the chefs who prepared meals. Insights also revealed

-how the old aged were embarrassed to accept this meal service from the Govt.

-how every time they took their meals made them feel lonely and reminded them that their family was not around

- Loss of control over food choices was painful

-how chefs were demotivated and didn't feel good in the job in spite of being skilled

The opportunity turned out to be much bigger and what the Design Consultancy firm ultimately produced was much more than just a new menu, it was a completely re-designed meal service that offered higher quality, reflexibility and increased choices.

Design Thinking gave it a new direction from fixing a menu to how an improved food service created a better life quality for the elderly people.