Design Thinking for
Workplace Change
Julie Lindsay
julie@flatconnections.com

Meet Julie Lindsay…..
Global Innovator
Leader, Author,
Digital Learning Design
Consultant
MA Educational Technology Leadership
EdD Student, University of Southern Queensland
Adjunct Lecturer, Charles Sturt University, Faculty
of Education
Apple Distinguished Educator
Google Certified Teacher
Director, Learning Confluence Pty Ltd
Founder, Flat Connections
@julielindsay | #flatconnections | @flatconnections | about.me/julielindsay

Today’s Discussion…..
Part 1
Workplace
change
Part 2
Digital
technologie
s
Part 3
Design
thinking

Workplace change

Culture of change

Stakeholders:
Identification and empowerment

Communication

Idea exchange – Knowledge building

When we change the way we
communicate, we change society
Clay Shirky, Here comes everybody

Digital Technologies

Beyond email……

Sharing ideas online

Cloud Computing

New Collaborations…..

“[C]ollaborative production is simple:
no one person can take credit for
what gets created, and the project
could not come into being without
the participation of many.”
Clay Shirky, Here comes everybody

Visible Thinking

Knowledge repositories

How to implement new technologies?

Design Thinking

Learning about the
audience for whom
you are designing
Redefining and
focusing questions
based on insights from
the empathy stage
Brainstorming and
coming up with
creative solutions
Building a
representation of
one or more ideas
to show to others
Return to original
user group and test
ideas for feedback
Design Thinking Cycle

EMPATHY
What is it? To create meaningful innovations you
need to know your users and care about
their lives
What does it
look like?
Observe, engage, watch, listen
Inquiry and conversations
Exploration of ideas and attitudes
Understand workflow and work patterns

Empathy in Action

Empathy for new digital technologies
• Survey
• Focus groups
• Find out what the needs are
– Communication
– Collaboration
– Sharing
– Storing
– Potential training

Discussion Part 1: Empathy Building
Scenario:
• The organisation needs better communication
and collaboration platforms
• Who are the stakeholders? How will you involve
them in this process?
• What is the situation now?
• Question, inquire, build understanding………
EMPATHY
How will you
build empathy
for change?

What is it? Framing the right problem is the
only way to create the right solution
What does it
look like?
Brainstorm ideas to identify the problem
Define the problem and its importance
Provide evidence of significance
Reframe the problem for clarity

Define in Action

Define in Action

Discussion Part 2: Define the problem
Task:
• What is the issue? Why is it important?
• Who is it a problem for?
• What evidence do you have this is a significant
problem?
• Can you think of this problem in a different way?
Can you clearly
define the
problem?

What is it? It’s not about coming up with the
‘right’ idea it’s about generating the
broadest range of possibilities
What does it
look like?
Brainstorm ideas for a range of solutions
Use ‘yes and’ rather then ‘yes but’
Generate ideas fast
“How might we……”

How might we…….
Template:
How Might We ACTION WHAT for WHOM in
order to CHANGE SOMETHING
Example:
How might we bridge the disconnect
between culture and technology for members
of the organisation in order to improve
communication

Discussion Part 3: Create Solutions
Task:
• Can you create a ‘How might we’ sentence?
“How Might We ACTION WHAT for WHOM in order to
CHANGE SOMETHING”
• What are authentic solutions? What are other solutions?
• What does the research reveal?
• In what way are digital technologies the key?
• Can you ‘Pitch’ ideas for feedback?
Can you come up
with ideas for
solutions?

Activity: The Perfect Pitch
Pitch one viable idea/solution for feedback
Elevator pitch strategies:
● Identify stakeholders
● Make them CARE
● Leave them wanting more
● Have a 'call to action'

Ideate in Action
The ‘Pitch’
(small group)

Ideate in Action
The ‘Pitch’
(large group)

What is it? Build to think, test to learn
Design the solution
What does it
look like?
Build a representation of one or more
ideas to show to others
What will the final product or
implementation look like?

Prototype – Design the Solution
• Design and plan outcomes
– Who, What, How, Where, When, Why
• Communicate and share the solution
• Consider implementation options
– Trial
– Pilot

Discussion Part 4: Create Solutions
Task:
• What will the final product look like?
• How will you communicate and implement this?
Can you design
and
communicate a
solution?

What is it? An opportunity to learn about your
problem and your users
What does it
look like?
Verbal feedback
Online documentation
Survey material

Feedback in Action
Use of ‘Thinking Hats’
Feedback and reflection should be part of every stage of the
design thinking process – not only at the end of the cycle.

Discussion Part 5: Generate Feedback
Task:
• What type of feedback do you need?
• Who will provide this feedback? How?
• What different ‘hats’ or lenses will you use?
How will you
gather and use
feedback?

Learning about the
audience for whom
you are designing
Redefining and
focusing questions
based on insights from
the empathy stage
Brainstorming and
coming up with
creative solutions
Building a
representation of
one or more ideas
to show to others
Return to original
user group and test
ideas for feedback
Design Thinking Cycle

THREE
things to
consider…….
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hfiguiere/4802869688

Design thinking is a
mindset and a skillset

Design thinking is an
inclusive process that can
be used in many different
situations

Implement design thinking
for organisational change
and strategic planning
objectives

http://flatconnections.com
Julie Lindsay: julie@flatconnections.com
Design thinking, Knowledge management,
Digital technologies