What Is Design Thinking? How It’s Redefining Problem-Solving in a Rapidly Changing World
Jan 20, 2025
The old playbook doesn’t quite cut it anymore. Businesses and organizations worldwide are grappling with problems as complex as climate change and as nuanced as customer loyalty. Traditional problem-solving methods—focused on linear processes and immediate results—feel like navigating an ever-changing landscape with an outdated map. Maps have their uses, but when the terrain evolves faster than you can chart it, you need something far more dynamic. Enter design thinking: a human-centered approach to innovation that doesn’t just seek solutions but ensures you’re solving the right problem.
What’s Holding You Back?
Let’s start by addressing a common misconception: “Design thinking is just for designers.” Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, design thinking is for anyone seeking to innovate—whether you’re designing a new app, building a customer service experience, or solving global challenges like access to clean water.
Another limiting belief? “We don’t have time for this.” Ironically, taking time to deeply understand your users’ needs, redefine problems, and test solutions can save time by avoiding costly missteps. Think of it as a way to build a clearer, more accurate map for your evolving landscape. If you’re stuck in the mindset of rushing toward solutions, design thinking will feel like a revelation.
Why Does Design Thinking Matter Now?
In a world where AI churns out new ideas in hours and trends shift overnight, innovation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. But innovation doesn’t come from rushing to the finish line. It comes from asking better questions and embracing uncertainty.
Take the example of Bank of America’s “Keep the Change” program, which was born from empathizing with customer behavior. By observing how customers saved spare change after transactions, the bank developed a program that automatically rounds up purchases and saves the difference. The result? Over 12 million new customers and billions saved by users. This wasn’t just a new product—it was a direct response to a human need for simpler, more accessible savings tools.
So, What Exactly Is Design Thinking?
At its core, design thinking is about putting humans first—understanding their needs, empathizing with their challenges, and creating solutions that are both practical and meaningful. It thrives at the intersection of three key elements:
Desirability: Does the solution meet real human needs?
Feasibility: Can it be implemented with existing technologies or resources?
Viability: Is the solution financially and operationally sustainable?
By balancing these elements, design thinking ensures ideas are not only innovative but also impactful and realistic.
The Five Steps of Design Thinking
Design thinking is often structured into five iterative steps. While these steps may vary slightly depending on the framework, they generally look like this:
Empathize: Dive deep into understanding your users and their needs. This isn’t about assumptions—it’s about engaging with real people and learning from their experiences.
Example: The design team at GE Healthcare observed how children felt scared in MRI machines. By empathizing with their emotions, they reimagined the experience by creating themed environments like pirate ships, turning a stressful process into an adventure.
Define: Clearly articulate the problem you’re solving. This step is all about identifying the root cause, not just addressing the symptoms.
Example: Airbnb realized their users’ frustration stemmed not just from the booking process but from unclear photos. Redefining the problem led them to revamp the way hosts upload photos, which dramatically improved user trust and engagement.
Ideate: Brainstorm possible solutions. At this stage, there are no bad ideas—only possibilities. Teams collaborate to explore creative and innovative options.
Example: The global shoe brand Nike uses design thinking workshops to ideate new sustainable practices, leading to initiatives like their Flyknit sneakers, which minimize waste during production.
Prototype: Develop lightweight, inexpensive models of your ideas to test quickly. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning what works.
Example: In the healthcare industry, the design team behind Embrace Warmers, a low-cost alternative to baby incubators, built multiple prototypes before landing on a solution that saved lives while being affordable for low-income communities.
Test: Gather feedback from real users and refine your prototypes. Testing isn’t a final step—it’s a cycle of iteration that leads to better solutions.
Example: IBM adopted design thinking to improve collaboration between teams and stakeholders. By continuously testing and iterating their processes, they reduced product design cycles by 75%.
Breaking Down Barriers
The beauty of design thinking is that it’s accessible to anyone willing to rethink how they solve problems. You don’t need a background in design—just a willingness to listen, learn, and iterate. It’s a process that transforms real needs into opportunities for growth and innovation.
Whether you’re a nonprofit tackling social challenges, a startup building a new app, or a corporation looking to reinvent your business model, design thinking equips you with the tools to create solutions that matter.
Ready to Rethink Problem-Solving?
At DTlabs, we believe design thinking isn’t just a method—it’s a mindset. It’s about working with your team and stakeholders to uncover insights, redefine problems, and create solutions that make an impact. Let’s reimagine what’s possible—together.
