daVinci Innovation Workshop
Research the Problem
The next logical stage is the research substage of the design thinking process as well as what happens after you conduct the research so that you can move forward in the process.
Narrative descriptions thanks to Rochester Institute of Technology https://www.rit.edu/
Research Stage
The research stage of design thinking begins with initial problem description and team formation. Once the team is formed and it has reviewed and dissected the problem description, the team will list areas of information that are pertinent to solving the problem. They will also need to discuss who will gather the information and how. Team members will explore their area of expertise to bring back information or data that is relevant to the problem.
Understanding User Needs and Wants
A good solution considers the users’ needs and wants, or in other words, what is necessary and what is desirable. In the previous video, Richard described the impact of the users’ emotions when they were using the camera. The technology was good, but users were embarrassed to be seen with it. A product may solve the problem and contain all of the latest technology, but if potential users don’t find it desirable, the product will not succeed. As members of the team conduct research, it is critical that you all understand what is necessary and what is desirable, as this understanding will be what guides your decision making in upcoming stages.
Problem-Solving Methodologies
Other ways of solving problems that are similar to design thinking:
- Participatory design
- User-centered design
- User-experience design (UX)
- Human-centered design
- Service design
- Social design
Research Methodologies
Once you have identified the users and their context, you will need to select appropriate research methodologies. A research methodology is a process used to collect information and data for the purpose of making decisions about your design thinking problem.
Research Ethics
You must ensure that your research participants are aware of their rights and that you will promise to:
- Respect their privacy and keep their private information confidential
- Respect their right to change their mind, to decide that the research does not match their interests, and to withdraw without a penalty