DESIGN

THINKING
TOOLKIT
Have you ever seen a problem and wondered what
solutions could be found for it?

In this toolkit, you will find instructions to apply a

methodology that will allow you to find solutions, to
create, to innovate, to empathise and to work with
diverse teams: Design Thinking.

As you learn about it and apply it as a tool, we invite

you to keep your heart and mind open to new
possibilities and ways of tackling a problem. You might
be surprised about where your creativity can take you!

Kindly,
Sam, Shruthi and Yasmin
on behalf of the Global Changemakers Team

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TOOLKIT OUTLINE

03 Instructions on how to use this toolkit

05 Introduction to Design Thinking

13 Step 1: Problem Framing

22 Step 2: Empathising

26 Step 3: Ideating

38 Step 4: Prototyping

44 Step 5: Testing

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HOW TO USE THIS
TOOLKIT
In this toolkit, you should expect to find the
following icons:

Explanation Activity

This is where you'll find descriptions This icon signals an activity, a

and complements on the topics. They chance to practice a given
might consist of simple explanations concept.
or suggested readings to guide your
learning and experiencial process.

Example In order to best use this

toolkit, look for the icons
When you see this icon, you'll find above! Read out explanations,
examples about the given topic. They connect them to the examples
will help illustrate it and give you
and perform the activities.
guidance on how to apply a given
concept.

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USING THIS TOOLKIT
AS A TEAM
If you'd like to use this toolkit with your team, here are some tips!

Give everyone a voice Use voting techniques

Use facilitation techniques to make You might need to choose ideas to

sure everyone has a voice in the go further in the process.

process: Some voting techniques that can be

Make the agenda visible and clear used are:

every time you meet; Majority voting with one vote for

Keep track of everyone who wants each;

Several votes for each ("dot-
to speak;
voting");
Prioritize people who haven't
Feedback frame (ranking
spoken yet;
preferences on a scale of 0-5).
Use different hand signals for
topics discussed (e.g. raising your
hand for a new idea and raising a
Use sticky notes
finger to complement an idea);
Prepare the room ahead so it's Use colorful sticky notes to record
comfortable for everyone. ideas, cluster them and vote on
them. They will allow everyone to
express their thoughts and make
the process more visual and clear.

Read more in:

https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/resources

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 WHAT IS
DESIGN THINKING?
The video below explains the Design Thinking
methodology and its respective steps, which go from
identifying problems to creating effective solutions.

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 A design methodology that provides a solution-based
approach to solving problems. It’s extremely useful in
tackling complex problems that are ill-defined or
unknown, by understanding the human
needs involved, by re-framing the problem in human-
centric ways, by creating many ideas
in brainstorming sessions, and by adopting a hands-
on approach in prototyping and testing.

- Interaction Design Foundation

Read more in:

https://www.interaction-
design.org/literature/topics/design-thinking

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Watching the video and reading the definition by the Interaction Design
Foundation, how would you define Design Thinking in your own words?
Can you think of any potential uses for this method?

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WHY USE DESIGN
THINKING?

Learn a creative process to solve problems and new

ways to tackle a problem;

Empathise with the people affected directed by

those problems;

Accommodate ideas from a diverse group of people;

Be able to iterate and adapt your idea as many

times as needed.

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 5 STEPS OF
DESIGN THINKING

Problem Framing
Prototyping

Empathising Testing

Ideating

These are the main 5 steps of Design As a result, failing is a big part of the Design

Thinking. As linear as the process may sound, Thinking process. It's a chance to test all

these steps may actually take place several aspects of a protoype, and to reassess the

times. When applying this method, designers ones that didn't work well. Reiterating may

usually iterate multiple times before they involve returning to the first phase (problem

reach a final product. framing), generating new ideas or just fixing

small parts of the prototype.

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 THE PROCESS

The Design Thinking process may sound confusing at first, as it goes deep in the
problem before finding a working solution for it. It also opens a huge door for generating
different ideas, insights and different ways of applying the same ideas. As prototypes are
created and tested, the process becomes more clear and focused. As social
entrepreneurs, it's important for us to trust the process and to learn at every step of it.

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 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Researching and
Go as deep as you can sketching is good, as
in the problem before far as it turns into
Investigate; starting to think of
Make it; something real. Bring
solutions for it. your ideas to life.

When creating ideas,

It is very likely that
go far, go big and go
you'll fail the first few
Trust your wild! Don't judge your Learn from
times you try. After
ideas and trust your failure;
creativity; failing, debrief and
creative impulse to
assess what can be
innovate.
improved.

Never forget who is Use your learnings to

affected by the try again, and again,
problem. They should Iterate, iterate, and again. Each time
Empathise;
always be at the center iterate; you try, you're closer to
of your creative the solution you're
process. looking for.

Keep believing that you

Ideas may sounds
and your team can do it.
confusing and even
Embrace Keep Failing and trying again
contradictory at first.
optimistic; is part of the process.
ambiguity; Accept them anyways.
Approach it with
Clarity will come with
lightness and
time.
intentionality.

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FALL IN LOVE WITH THE
PROBLEM, NOT THE
SOLUTION.
Finding an effective solution takes time and persistence. With
that in mind, rather than clinging to your idea itself, be open to
adapting it in a way that will tackle the problem effectively.

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Step 1

PROBLEM
FRAMING
The first step of Design Thinking is to find and frame

a problem to tackle. This step requires an

investigative spirit, with an open mind and heart to

what you will see and learn.

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 THE SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The 2030 Agenda for At its heart are the 17

Sustainable Sustainable Development

Development, adopted by all Goals (SDGs), which are an

United Nations Member States urgent call for action by all

in 2015, provides a shared countries - developed and

blueprint for peace and developing - in a global

prosperity for people and the partnership.

planet, now and into the future.

Read more in:

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/

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 THE SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS

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Going back to the previous page, look at the Sustainable Development
Goals once again and identify the ones that need the most attention in
your community at the moment. What problems is that SDG associated
with? What are the consequences or not reaching that goal?

SDG(s) Associated problems Consequences

SDG 3 and 6 Lack of access to sanitation in my neighborhood. Diseases, lack of potable water, contaminations.

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PRINCIPLES OF
PROBLEM FRAMING

One way to frame a problem is by

HUMAN-CENTERED using a Problem Tree Framework:

Investigate human needs, diseases such

as diarrhea,
expectations and reactions. dysentery
and cholera;
contaminated
effects foods;
malnutrition;
reduced
GOES DEEP human well-
being...

Look for root causes, and not

only symptoms. Fall in love lack of proper

core problem sanitation in urban
slums in Indian
with the problem, not the cities

solution.

CONTEXT-BASED causes
low investment in public
health;
ineffective trash
Put the problem into context, collection and recycling;
lack of infrastructure...
consider the "bigger issues".

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Now, take the problem you'd like to investigate and build its Problem Tree Framework. If
necessary, do extra research on the topic. Remember to go as deep as possible, to be specific
and genuinely curious about the problem, its causes and effects.

effects

core problem

causes

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 SYSTEMS THINKING

Thinking of problems as part of a larger system is very useful to better understand its causes and
consequences. Systems thinking, therefore, is a way to place the problem and potential solutions
in a deeper, interconnected and larger system.

Several methods could be used to think of systems rather than isolated phenomena.

Read more in:

"Tools for Systems Thinkers: The 6
Fundamental Concepts of Systems Thinking",
Leyla Acaroglu
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 ICEBERG MODEL
One of the models used to represent a system is the Iceberg Model. It is used to identify the
underlying structure, patterns and events that correspond to a given phenomenon.

Here is an example:

events

People in Indian urban slums are often

affected by several diseases due to lack of
proper water.

patterns
People go to the hospital for treatable diseases;
children are constantly affected and pregnant
women risk losing their babies.

structures
Lack of government funding and political will to
addres the issue; high social inequality.

mental models
Read more in:
Assumption that people in Indian urban slums do
"The Iceberg Model", Michael Goodman
not have the right to access to water; lack of
awareness about the issue.

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ICEBERG MODEL
Your turn! Fill out the iceberg with structure, patterns and events related to the problem you are
working on.

events

patterns

structures

mental models

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 Step 2

EMPATHISING
After investigating a problem to work on, we will

empathise with the people who are directly affected

by it. We will, so to speak, put a human face on the

problem.

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 WHAT IS
EMPATHY?
The origin of the word "empathy" dates back to the 1880s, when German psychologist Theodore Lipps coined the

term “einfuhlung” (“in-feeling”) to describe the emotional appreciation of another’s feelings. Empathy is the process

of understanding a person’s subjective experience by being curious about their point of view and sharing their

emotional state, while maintaining an observant status.

There are three types of empahy:

Why is it important to empathise

before creating solutions?

Cognitive Emotional
Compassive
Empathy Empathy
Empathy

"I understand "I feel what you "I understand your point

your point of feel." of view, feel what you

view". feel and I'm ready to

help meet your need."

Read more in:

"Emotional Intelligence", Daniel Goleman and
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"Empathy and emotional intelligence",
Ioannidou and Konstantikaki.
Example: Persona representing a

group affected by the lack of

sanitation in Indian slums.

This is Pryia. She is 40 years old and lives in a slum located in New Delhi,

India. She lives with her husband and 4 children. Everyday, she wakes up at

around 5:30am, cleans the house, prepares breakfast for her family and leaves

for her job in downtown. After work, she picks up her children from a local

public school and brings them home by bus. Her children are the most

important people in her life, along with her sister and her husband. Her boss is

her biggest role model and she also loves watching Bollywood films. One day,

she wants to go to college and move with her family to a better neighborhood.

The lack of sanitation affects her and her family because it affects their

hygiene habits. Her children have had cholera several times in the past, which

prevents them from studying and playing. Pryia wants to find clean water to

give her family a better quality of life.

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In order to empathise with the group affected by the problem you'd like to tackle, create a "user
persona" (representation of the group that will benefit from your future solution). Answer to the
questions bellow to do so.

What is his/her name? What is his/her job?

Draw your user persona here.

What is his/her age? What are the most important people/things

for him/her?

Where does he/she live? Who influences him/her?

Who does he/she live with? What are his/her dreams?

What is her/her routine like? How is he/she affected by the problem?

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Step 3

IDEATION
After investigating the problem and empathising with

those affected by it, it's finally time to think of

possible solutions!

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Building a "How might we"
statement

A "how might we" statement is a prompt to help us think of solutions for the problem. It

should be specific and contain the following items:

The user persona (the statement should clearly state who is affected by the problem);

The pain point (the statement should clearly identify the problem);

The intended impact (the statement should clearly show what outcomes you intend to

have with your idea).

Example

How might we help people in the Indian urban slums of New Delhi

to fight the transmission of diseases like cholera, diarrhea and

dysentery by improving their access to clean water and sanitation?

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 Build your own "how might we" statement.
ANOSREP

1.Who are the people affected by your problem?

RESU

"HOW MIGHT WE"

STATEMENT

2. How are they affected by the problem?

TNIOP
NIAP
DEDNETNI

3. What is the impact you intend to create?

TCAPMI

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To elaborate on your "how might we" statement, use the Abstraction Ladder. It will
help you connect the causes of the problem with possible solutions for it.
To fill it out:
1- Write the causes on the right side, ordering them from less to more complex;
2- Write the correspondent possible solutions on the the left side, from less to more
concrete.

Abstract

lack of political will create campaign

to improve the for community to
situation require action
?YHW

?WOH
create trash
ineffective trash
recycling campaign
collection system
in the community

lack of water build water

treatment stations treatment stations

Concrete

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Your turn!

Abstract
?YHW

?WOH
Concrete

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 CREATING
IDEAS

When creating ideas on how to tackle the problem you

have identified, remember to:

Defer judgement;

Be visual;

Encourage wild ideas.

"You can't use up creativity.

The more you use, the more you have."

- Maya Angelou

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 CATALYSTS AND
CONSTRAINTS

Another way to ideate is to give yourself parameters to

address your how might we statement. Consider:

What could we do if we had 1 million dollars?

What if I only had a week to do the project?

Everything was on a boat?

Fail hard and fast with your ideas.

Nothing is too silly!

Learn more in:
"Embrace the Shake", TED Talk by
Phil Hansen

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If you are working with a team, use the "Yes, and" policy:

Never shoot an idea down, add to it.

Practice this in rounds. Invite everyone to build on another idea.

Use constraints to get variation and depth to ideas.

Another activity that can be done as a team is the Crazy 8's Exercise:

1. Take a piece of paper and fold it into eight sections;

2. Set the timer for eight minutes;

3. Each team member sketches one idea in each rectangle;

4. When the timer goes off, put your pens down;

5. Share your ideas as a team and build up on each others' ideas.

Try using sticky notes and coloured

pens as a way to build on ideas in

rounds.

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This is your free space to generate ideas!

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 THE IMPACT GAP CANVAS

The Impact Gap Canvas is a useful tool to help you understand a problem, the ecosystem

of current solutions, and your possibly entry points to add value to the solutions landscape.

To fill it out,

1 - Write the challenges related to the problem you'd like to solve on the right column;

2- Write the existing solutions on the left columns (they could include informal initiatives,

NGOs, public policies, social enterprises, among others);

3- Address the "gaps" in existing solutions by creating ideas of how they could be filled.

Read more in:

"The Impact Canvas" at Tacking 35
Heropreneurship
 THE IMPACT GAP CANVAS

EXISTING
CHALLENGES GAPS
SOLUTIONS

What’s happening, what’s What is missing that could close the gap What models are already
the impact of the between the challenge and the current solutions, being tried,
challenge, and what’s where are opportunities for greater collective what’s working, what’s
holding the challenge in impact, and what are the key lessons learned? not, and what resources
place? are available?

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 LOW EFFORT HIGH EFFORT
After creating ideas, it's
time to choose a few of
them to move to the next

TCAPMI HGIH
phase. To do so, we will
use the matrix below. GREAT GOOD
Choose an idea that has Can you reach the
GO FOR IT!
high impact and - if same impact with
less effort?
possible - needs low
effort. Impact has to do
with how much the idea
can help you reach your
goal. Effort has to do with
how feasible it is to
implement your idea. TCAPMI WOL
WEAK BAD

Can you increase Focus on other

your impact? ideas.

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 Step 4

PROTOTYPING
After creating ideas, it's time to build them!

Prototyping is about creating a simple version of your

idea to assess what parts of it work well and what

can be improved in a future version.

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This video shows an example of how Google has prototyped one

of their products, the Google Glass. The simple yet practical

aspects of it show that our ideas may be more accessible than

we thought!

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WHY DO WE PROTOTYPE?

To fail quickly and cheaply;

To test different possibilites;

To start a conversation;

To better visualize our idea, as a prototype

is worth 1000 pictures!;

To learn by doing.

We test different prototypes to find the best

way to carry forward an idea.

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Example: A platform for creating safer drinking water

Protoype 1: Political lobby 2: Water purification filters 3: Sewage treatment system

Better
water
quality!

41
HERE ARE SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO
PROTOTYPE:

You can draw it and ask for You can tell a story.

feedback from people who

would benefit from your idea.

Source: Mob Lab (Greenpeace Mexico Source: Mob Lab (Greenpeace Mexico

at the Campaign Accelerator) at the Campaign Accelerator)

You can role-play it. You can build it.

Source: archdaily.com

Source: Top Secret Agency UK

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How could you carry out your ideas? Here's some space to sketch out a few:

Idea 1: Idea 2: Idea 3:

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 Step 5

TESTING
Once you've build a few prototypes, it's time to test

them! This is the last stage of Design Thinking and,

of course, you can return to the previous stages after

testing to reiterate your ideas.

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WHY DO WE TEST?

To refine prototypes and solutions;

To learn more about your audience and the problem.

HOW DO WE TEST?

Creating experiences;

Sharing, not selling;

Failing, so we can learn and iterate.

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 Plan your testing using the questions below.

1.Which idea/prototype will you test? 4. What is your expected result?

2. Who are you testing it with? 5. What could go "wrong"?

3. How are you collecting users' feedback? 6. How will you apply your learnings into your idea?

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HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Once you have reflected on your testing, prototype again

based on what you learnt. Then test it again.

Design thinking means we are never quite finished, so this

process of prototyping and testing can carrying on as you

conintue to evolve your project.

"I haven't failed -- I've just found 10,000 that won't work."

Thomas Edison and the Invention of the Light Bulb.

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OTHER RESOURCES

There are many more tools, resources and methodologies you can use to create

effective projects!

Click on the boxes below to check them out:

Disruptive Design GCM Project

Design Sprint Kit
Methodology Management Toolkit

Planet-Centered Design
Designkit.com
Methodology

Tacking Sileaning
Heropreneurship Repository Tools

48
 Written by:
Sam Bowstead ([email protected])
Shruthi Vijayakumar ([email protected])
Yasmin Morais ([email protected]).