Introduction to Design Thinking and Human-Centered Mindset

• What is Design Thinking and why does it matter today?
• History and evolution of design thinking (IDEO, Stanford d.school, HBS perspectives)
• The Design Thinking Process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test
• Key mindsets: empathy, experimentation, collaboration, optimism, and iteration
• Case studies of successful applications across industries
• Group Activity: "Experience Design Thinking in Action"

Empathy and Deep User Understanding

• Techniques for empathy: interviews, shadowing, journey mapping
• Identifying latent needs, pains, and desires of users
• Building empathy maps and personas
• Synthesizing research insights to uncover opportunity areas
• Fieldwork Assignment: Conduct mini-interviews and gather empathy data

Problem Framing and Creative Ideation

• How to reframe challenges and uncover the real problem
• Crafting effective "How Might We..." statements
• Brainstorming techniques: Brainwriting, SCAMPER, Mash-Ups, etc.
• Divergent vs. convergent thinking: Balancing creativity and focus
• Group Ideation Sprint: Generate bold, user-centered ideas

Rapid Prototyping and Iterative Testing

• The power of prototypes: learning by making
• Low-fidelity prototyping methods: sketches, storyboards, role plays, paper prototypes
• Testing prototypes: Gathering feedback without over-investing
• Iterating based on user feedback and learning loops
• Mini-Design Sprint: Build and test a prototype within a few hours

Applying Design Thinking to Business and Leadership

• Scaling design thinking beyond products: services, processes, strategies
• Leading and facilitating design thinking workshops
• Building a sustainable culture of innovation in organizations
• Real-world challenges: Applying design thinking to current work problems
• Final Project: Team presentations of design challenges and solutions
• Certification Ceremony and Action Planning: Your Next Steps as a Design Thinker