Solving complex problems through design thinking
Solving complex problems through design thinking
As complex and rapid changes occur in our communities and workplaces, problem solving must also adapt and evolve. Design Thinking is a responsive discipline using exploratory and user-centered approaches to design better solutions.
Nat Vega, a Community Development Worker at Melbourne City Mission and past student of Monash University’s Design Thinking Now professional development course, learnt to use Design Thinking for improving access to the Family Reconciliation Mediation Program for people experiencing homelessness and program caseworkers.
“Before the course, we only focused on our existing solutions,” Nat explains. “We noticed we rarely received applications for group work. Our challenge was to figure out how we could increase that, but our current system was stuck and we didn’t know what to do.”
Dr Julie Roberts, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Design at Monash University, has seen how Design Thinking’s broad and flexible scope can address this challenge across sectors. “In the course, we explore examples like the Government of Singapore creating a Design Thinking department to collaborate on health, education and social housing, and even introducing it as part of primary school education.”
To improve their unique situation with design thinking, Nat, her manager and another colleague undertook the eight-week online course together, engaging in practical activities and theoretical learning that advanced their problem identification, brainstorming processes and creative teamwork.
"With Design thinking, you can objectively focus on what the client is thinking, getting outside of your usual focus and biases to create something that actually fits them, and not just your idea of who they are.”
“The course’s templates were brilliant because they helped us to organise all our ideas and gave us processes for thinking, big and small. I found that design thinking is a fantastic way to be creative while still having structure.”
Nat and her team finished the course with a new solution that could adapt to different circumstances, ready to trial with case workers needing more support for connecting clients to resources.
“It was a process rich with insight because we could talk freely and build on each other’s inputs. We had the activities and the lessons to reflect on that. I think we are now more open to other people's ideas.”
The idea, creating individual application forms for group work, was a revelation. “Despite knowing that young people are transient and complex, we hadn’t thought of it before. We came up with it by devoting time to learn about the issue, think differently and change our mindset.”
When asked to summarise the learning experience, Nat thoughtfully and succinctly responds, “design thinking is teaching you how to put yourself in other people's shoes.”
Monash University Design Thinking Now alumni learn to explore ideas and collaborate openly and empathetically, applying learnings to their own workplace as well as to diverse and global challenges, empowering them to immediately improve their work’s impact and the lives of their communities.
Learn more. Be more. Change it. With the Design Thinking Now professional development course from Monash University.