Design Thinking is a human-centric approach in managing projects by using a designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of the users with the possibilities of technology solutions, and to redefine problems by identifying alternative strategies and solutions. Design Thinking solves problems in creative and innovative ways through various human-centered activities, keeping people at the center of every process, staying focused on the people you are designing for, and by listening to them directly. 

Design Thinking is often referred to as “out of the box” thinking. Thinking like a designer can transform the way organizations develop products, services, processes, and strategies. But do not be confused, it is not about the literal ability to design or compose, but the way of understanding the world, which can help any individual become a dynamic problem solver. The designers’ mindset embraces empathy, optimism, iteration, creativity and ambiguity.

Design Thinking can be summarized into five phases:

Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test and Review.