Innovation includes potential for growth, but also risks stability of the business. Design thinking can support companies in realizing their intentions by clarifying their aims, understanding customer needs and guiding the innovation activities to achieve the aims. The uncertainty and freedom levels of design processes vary depending on the expectations and assignment of clients or decision-makers. The depth of collaboration takes different forms starting from operative activities in product and service design and ending up to strategic transformation of business.
Aiming to renew innovation culture
The D.Inc project aimed at discovering how design thinking renews innovation culture in SMEs. The research focused on the ways of managing uncertainties through design. The study explored different layers and practices of design for incorporating design thinking into innovation activities and staff. The scope of suitable design level and activities was defined based on companies’ motivation to change. The research focuced especially in three design topics, which pursues to manage different types of uncertainties:
1) Managing market uncertainty: user involvement
2) Managing uncertainties of new product development: framing systemic solutions
3) Managing service business: customer experiences
4) Managing organization learning of design thinking
The project produced three academic papers. In addition, the results are described in digital magazine Muovaaja. The articles can be found from our publication list.