Diversity in Thinking: Design Thinking: Accessing Diverse Human Perspectives To Solve Problems

Numerous studies have been conducted on changing corporate, nonprofit, educational and other workplace cultures over the last two decades. However, even as the need for change is recognized, the question arises how are strategic decisions made in order to have transformative alterations in management decisions to promote new innovative products, solutions and resources? The provision of a diverse and thriving workplace is the primary concern of most conscientious mangers. To promote positive change, Design Thinking (DT) principles can be implemented so a variety of perspectives are considered for strategic problem solving. Many managerial levels of thriving innovative corporations, non-profits and government workplaces aim to immerse their employees in DT principles and implementation, for enduring positive change and problem solving. This chapter will define, highlight and discuss through interactive case studies, Design Thinking implementation in the corporate, educational, governmental and nonprofit workplaces. Through practical scenarios, readers will be guided through the wonderful, human centered ventures of Design Thinking principles for problem solving and the implementation planning of transforming recommendations revealed through the process.