What is Design Thinking and Where can it be applied?

Design thinking is a methodology that allows for human-centric approach to solving problems.  

To quote my colleague Lisa Lawlor “It's about Zooming in and back out on your product to see how it functions and if it is designed to work best for the user.” It means questioning your assumptions, developing empathy by putting yourself in the place of the end user in order to gain true insights into what the user needs.

It is most commonly, but not exclusively, applied to solve problems in the areas of product design, industrial design, information design and service design. A Design Thinking approach can be applied in any scenario where there is a problem and you need a solution – particularly human problems. It can greatly change the way all human problems are approached not only in business but across our education, social and government sectors.

I first learned of Design Thinking at an event held by the Service Design Networks and Johnson Controls (JCI), hosted by Dr. Heather Madden of Cork Institute of Technology a number of years ago. I was proud to see CIT and Cork County Council taking a leading approach in Ireland in Design Thinking and what I see as the "common sense" approach. Cork County Council, championed by Karen Fitzgerald, were taking great strides in providing better all-round services for the people of Cork by following a Design Thinking method to deliver a new online customer platform along with improving and designing new services. 

Design Thinking is not a new methodology in fact in 1969 Nobel Prize laureate Herbert Simon outlined his 7 stage Design Thinking process which has greatly influenced much of Design Thinking methodology that is in use today. Although the theories vary, and the stages can range from three to seven stages they all have their roots in the principals based in Herbert Simon’s 1969 method. 

The most common Design Thinking method is the 5 stage model developed by the Hasso-Plattner Institute of Design at Standard. 

• Empathise – with your users
• Define – your users’ needs, their problem, and your insights
• Ideate – by challenging assumptions and creating ideas for innovative solutions
• Prototype – to start creating solutions
• Test – solutions

These stages are not a step by step process they can occur in any order or operate in parallel. For a Design Thinking approach to be successful empathy must be present at all stages of the project. For JCI, Maebh Costello was driving a Design Thinking approach to all projects by ensuring empathy at all stages by applying personas asking the question “What would Brad think?” at each stage, Brad being the end user. 

Here in Morgan McKinley we adopted this user centred approach to ensure we provide the best service to candidates and companies. Our consultants are specialist in their specific areas to ensure we understand what hiring managers and candidates in their market really need. A great example of a Design Thinking approach is our Career Ally Hub. Our Career Ally Hub is a unique resource centre with a range of intuitive and easy-to-use tools that will help you on your career journey. We understand that finding the right career path is a challenging job in itself. We want to make it easier, less time-demanding and above all, more rewarding.

From this grew our new Service Offering - Org. Org was created as we believe there is a smarter, more collaborative, way to do things. We have designed and built a company that aims to humanise the experience of transformational change for organisations. We are not here to take the same old approach to the same old problems! By bringing together the best people and the latest technology, we can deliver value in all aspects of the change and transformation journey. We work with our clients to deliver deep expertise into the heart of their organisations, ensuring all problems are solved, challenges are overcome and opportunities are taken.

In my new role, in addition to selecting the best talent in Europe, I will also be acting as a mentor for our "new to ERP" Consultants and focusing on taking a Design Thinking approach to building clear processes and milestones to ensure successful delivery of resources for our clients' projects. If you have any questions or wish to discuss upcoming project requirements or opportunities in Europe please get in touch at [email protected]! I will be available to discuss your needs from the 21st June 2021!! If you have an urgent requirement that can't wait, my colleague Fiona Richardson, Director Of Technology - Europe at Org, will be happy to assist you. You can reach Fiona at [email protected] or call 01 632 4600. 

For Clients and Candidates in Ireland. Your service will improve!! My colleague Lisa Lawlor and I have worked closely together to ensure a smooth transition while maintaining a high quality service for both clients and candidates. Lisa is an experienced Technology Recruitment Consultant, has great knowledge of specific requirements needed within the ERP/Digital Transformation space and is Team Lead of our Projects Division. You can contact Lisa on [email protected] or call 021 2300300. 

Furthermore, Lisa and the MMK Projects Team will be supported by over 10 Change and Transformation specialist Recruitment Consultants with a large network of talent across Europe, Australia and North America.