DESIGN THINKING FOR

MANAGERS

Student name:
Student ID:
 Group -Group of international students
 Problem – The issue of saving money as an international student
 DT process – Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test
 DT tools used – Brainstorming, Visualisation, Mind mapping,
Prototyping, Assumption testing, Concept development and
Journey Mapping
Design Thinking Tools
Tool 1 – Brainstorming

 Definition
Brainstorming can be an ideal method as it can help in
generating new and innovative ideas. Here, collective
thinking is essential and every member within the group
should engage, listen and give feedback to each other’s
ideas
 Context
Our group was continuously engaged in active discussion and
participation.

 Outcome
By continuously communicating with members, we
understood that as international students, money can be
saved by cutting down on meal costs and by sharing rooms
 Tool 2- Visualisation

 Definition
In this case, data and graphic visualisation is done to understand the
concept and project requirements.

 Context
As a group, we decided to produce a graphical visualisation of the
issues faced by international students while saving money.

 Outcome
The tool has helped us in understanding the issue creatively at
every stage and as a group, we were able to visualise the
problem.
 Tool 3 – Mind mapping

 Definition
It is a useful tool that can be used to represent ideas in a
visually creative way. It will be easier to grasp patterns and
themes it is most useful in case of a team task

 Context
Our group has used mind mapping and we have identified the
benefits of planning, collaboration, creativity and
productivity.
 Outcome
It has been found that International students can save money
sharing rooms, cutting down meal costs and utilising
student discounts.
Tool 4 – Prototyping

 Definition
The tool is used to illustrate a business idea and experience. Illustrations are
visually attractive as it involves stories, role-playing, images, etc.

 Context
In our group, we have presented the issues faced by international students in a
story telling manner. Starting from campus life, an international student
faces money saving issues and within 3-4 years time, it is possible to
keep track of their spending.

 Outcome
By using the tool, it was understood that It is often challenging to make a
concept clear via images or illustrations if the narration has not been done
accurately
 Tool 5- Assumption testing

 Definition
In this case, the focus is given upon identification of assumptions that can be tested in
a practical manner. Testing can be done either by thought experiments or by
having field related experiences (Glen, Suciu & Baughn, 2014).

 Context
Our group has identified that money saving can be effective only when other areas of
expenses can be cut down. For instance, we assumed that if a student shares
his/her room rent, then it would be easier to use that savings in meals.

 Outcome
In order to test this assumption, practical field experience is required and after
experiencing the problems, we shall be able to validate the usage of this tool.
Tool 6 – Concept development

 Definition
The tool can be useful in getting an insight regarding probable and
useful opportunities for growth within the business (Liedtka,
2015).
 Context
International students can save money by keeping a track of their
expenses. Balance is the key and sticking to a plan is essential to
save money.
 Outcome
It has been noted that international students have opportunities to
save money and the concept development tool in design thinking
has been useful in understanding the issue of overspending.
Tool 7- Journey Mapping

 Definition
The process is defined as visualisation that enables a person in goal
accomplishment. A journey map is created to understand the starting
and end of a journey. It is created to help customers track their
journey (Randall & Liedtka, 2014).
 Context
Our group has created a journey map that can guide us in saving money.
We decided to cut expenses related to meals and new study materials
and use the money in paying college fees.
 Outcome
By using this tool, it has been possible to understand the starting and end
point of the issue.
Tool 8- Value chain analysis

 Definition
It can be defined as a tool that is used by businesses to
understand the firm’s position and competitive
advantage within a market.
 Context
As international students, it is not possible to gain
advantage and save money efficiently. A lot of factors
has to be considered before reaching firm
conclusions.
 Outcome
It is challenging to analyse all the situations related to the
chosen issue and therefore, further analysis is crucial.
Tool 9 - Customer Co-creation

 Definition
As the name suggests, customers are involved during
the process in order to develop new ideas for
business.
 Context
We have decided to save money and in order to do so,
it is crucial to create a process that will have
mutual benefit for both the users of an idea and
developers.
 Outcome
It has been observed that involvement of team
members is essential in order to solve the issues
faced as international students.
Tool 10- Learning launch

 Definition
The tool can be utilised to generate market data and it is regarded as
a learning experience
 Context
As international students, we have first decided to study the social
situation that we have been facing. Thereafter, it seemed feasible
to conduct market research.
 Outcome
It has been found that our experiments and market research have
been successful in yielding results.
Outcome of the activity

 By using multiple design thinking tools, we have been able to create a map or idea
regarding the issue. Design thinking process involves phases such as Empathise,
Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test. The other follows one (Cuthbert, Vaugh &
Chambers, 2018).
 The group went through each of these phases and we finally found that in order to save
money we could share our rooms with roommates. It will help in cutting down the
accommodation cost. Moreover, we can shop our necessities in a second hand store.
Present state in the design thinking
process
After the end of the process, the group realised that we were successful in creating a
prototype of all the possible solutions and hence, only testing is left to validate the
assumptions.
Conclusion

In this presentation, an evaluation of own design thinking experience has been done and
emphasis has been given upon tools like Brainstorming, Mind Mapping and
Assumption testing and others have been used as these seemed ideal to solve the issue
of money-saving among international students.
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