Michael Deshayes

‍Introduction

This is a simplistic overview of how anyone can apply design thinking processes to anything. This should increase one’s ability to create strategically regardless of how much expertise they have.

‍

Setting your goals

Understand the project context, you’ll thank yourself later.

You could spend an eternity gathering requirements but by gathering a few key pieces of information you’ll be able to move forward with a reasonable level of confidence.

Here’s my go to list:

• How did this come to your attention?
• What are your goals? What are you hoping to change or achieve?
• Who is this for? What problems do they face? Or What is the opportunity?
• What do you think you know about this?
• How much time do you have?

‍

Planning activities

All great work starts with a plan… or at least I’d say so. 

Start by thinking about what you’ll need to do in order to achieve your goals from the canvas. Generate as many ideas as possible, weird and wonderful! If you feel like it’s a stab in the dark, work backwards from a hypothetical solution delivery and think about what activities would be taking place.

Set priorities, sequence and time estimates and label your optional activities. Ee flexible and ready adjust time-spend to meet deadlines rather than being late.

‍

Making progress

Don’t overthink things, follow your plan, tackling activities one at a time, and maintain your focus.

If you’re running behind your timeline, skip any optional activities or get back to them later. The sooner you see people using your design the easier it is to improve it.

Adjust your canvas and plan according to any new understandings of the project along the way. Rigidity will only send you down the wrong trajectory.

‍

Getting it out there

Showing your ideas to people, whatever the format, as early as possible is going to massively benefit your confidence in the design’s efficacy.

Be open minded to whatever you hear or see when people react to your design. I know it’s so hard on the ego… but don’t take it personal. You can learn from anyone’s feedback and I really do mean anyone.

Launching, producing or whatever word you like… but seeing your design being used in the real world is the ultimate test. Go ahead and make things, don’t worry about having 100% perfection in execution. From my experience, 60% of your own ambitions for a solution could be more than enough.

‍

Seeing how it goes

It’s tough watching how your design performs but that’s the reality. They might not use it exactly how you wanted but use this as fuel for your next version. Design is never done and you can always make improvements to make peoples lives better.

‍

Guiding principles

Consider these throughout your work and always questions things.

• Think about how you spend your time. 
  • Is it really giving you the outcomes you need or is it preference?
• It’s impossible to know everything. 
  • Don’t try to get to the bottom of everything upfront… stick to whatever is crucial to making progress.
• Less really is more. 
  • Focus on making impact rather than fidelity of work. 
  • Fidelity can be introduced when you see the need for it.
• Try things differently.
  • Innovating will allow you to learn new skills and be more effective.

‍