There are two glaring weaknesses within design thinking, and especially IDEO’s Human Centered Design (HCD) – brainstorming and lack of a systematic methodology to evaluate and select ideas. Two ways to supercharge design thinking are with systematic ideation and systematic analysis and decision-making. Simple-to-learn and easy-to-use tools can transform design thinking output from the “so so” to the implementation of powerful solutions to the most difficult problems.
Vertical vs. Lateral Thinking
Developing creative ideas to build innovative solutions requires changing perspectives and looking at the world through different lenses. Edward deBono coined the term “lateral thinking” to describe a way of thinking which leads to a wide-range of insights for developing creative ideas. Lateral thinking is a great skill to acquire to ensure a holistic view of issues and foster innovation. It helps us answer the question, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Vertical thinking is how most of us see the world. It is typically a structured process which looks for a defined answer through sequential steps. Each step must be relevant to the previous to move forward. The focus is on finding the correct answer and typically avoids creativity and experimentation. Vertical thinking is about analysis and judging ideas.