A breakdown of the time and resources needed to implement design thinking

Design thinking, a methodology that champions empathy, experimentation, and iteration, is a powerful tool for problem-solving. It’s a well-regarded approach for crafting innovative products, services, and experiences. However, like any project, it demands time and resources. This blog post aims to demystify the process, offering a comprehensive guide on what to anticipate in terms of time and resources when implementing design thinking .

The Timeframe for Implementing Design Thinking

The duration needed to implement design thinking is not set in stone; it varies based on the project’s scope. A smaller project, such as a website redesign, might take a few weeks, while a larger endeavor, like developing a new product, could span several months. However, the design thinking process comprises a few key stages that will consume most of the time.

Empathize: The initial stage of design thinking is empathy, where you step into the user’s shoes to understand their needs, desires, and challenges. Depending on the project’s size, this stage could range from a few days to several weeks.
Define: After empathizing with the user, you’ll utilize this understanding to define the problem you aim to solve. This stage typically lasts a few days to a week.
Ideate: The subsequent stage is ideation, where you brainstorm solutions to the problem. Depending on the project’s size, this stage could take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
Prototype: The fourth stage is prototyping, where you create a tangible or digital representation of your idea. This stage usually takes a few days to a week.
Test: The final stage is testing, where you collect feedback on your prototype and use it to refine your solution. This stage could take a few days to a week.

Determine the intensity with the type of interactions

Type	Workshop Part of STUDIO.WHY Design Thinking methodology is learned through practice	Fieldwork Observe and collect data in the field to the clarify the challenge from the starting document. You retrieve information that can be used in the next work session. You do this together as a team, so help each other	Team Intervision Learning from experiences. Deepen and broaden on content, process and team level.	Personal intervision During the process, a need may arise among the teams on an individual level to gain in-depth knowledge of something specific that benefits the process. We can meet this in due course. Think of: – Empathetic Conversation – Digital Skills, such as Miro, prototyping, online interviewing and more. – Concept development – Pitching – Prototyping	Coaching Core team can approach the facilitators independently to help with challenges they encounter.	Meet the godfathers/ sponsors After each period, the state of affairs is presented to the godfathers and the teams are put in the spotlight for a while.	Align the managers Organize a webinar to involve the participants’ managers in the process and let them watch. Do your best for this important stakeholder! Tip: make sure that the sponsors share from themselves why it is good for the organization.
Light (3 months)	6 x 1,5 hours	x			x	2x 30 minutes	1x 30 minutes
Regular (4 months)	8 x 3 hours	x	x		x	2x 60 minutes	1x 30 minutes
Intens (year program)	8 x 3 hours	x	x	x	x	4x 60 minutes	1x 30 minutes

The Resources Required for Implementing Design Thinking

Implementing design thinking also necessitates resources. These can include:

a. People

You’ll need a team of people to implement design thinking, including designers, developers, researchers, and stakeholders. Below you’ll see the roles we as STUDIO.WHY divide in Design Thinking programs.

Roles

Target group, end user, stakeholders

Core team

Core Team Coordinator

Facilitator

b. Tools

There are a variety of tools and resources available to help with design thinking, such as design thinking workshops, design thinking toolkits, and design thinking software. At STUDIO.WHY we provide this table to find the right tool you need to help with design thinking.

Type	Event & Experience to generate energy, ignite ideas and spot who are the ones who are most likely to be a front runner. We have a FREE miro template you can use	Training to boost the participants with knowledge, mindsets and experience to fulfill the first projects. Also, leadership will be involved and trained on their changing role. We have trainingformats that you can be adapted in your program!	Workshops to practice certain skills or work on a certain topic, like Creative Sketching or LEGO® Serious Play. We have Workshopformats that can be adapted in your program!	Sprints to execute the lessons learned and put this in practice, involving more colleagues and letting the mindset spread like a positive virus. We have a FREE mirotemplate you can use	Programs to design and execute a tailored made innovation expedition for your organization. We have Workshopformats that can be adapted in your program!	Coaching to support the Innovation Coaches in the organization and support the process of selecting the best combination of teammates. We have Coachingformats that can be adapted in your program!
Inspire	x
Learn	x	x	x
Create	x	x	x	x	x
Coaching	x	x	x	x	x	x

c. Budget

Finally, you’ll need a budget to cover the costs of the project, including materials, tools, and other expenses.

Key points

Here are some key points to remember:

Design thinking is a flexible, adaptable process that can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to implement.
A dedicated team, the right tools, and a budget to cover expenses are essential resources for implementing design thinking.
Despite the investment required, design thinking can lead to innovative solutions that meet user needs and contribute to business success.

Let’s Explore the Possibilities Together!

Whether it’s a new product, an innovation strategy, or a way to solve a problem, there are always ways to think creatively and turn our ideas into reality. Let’s collaborate to identify the best ideas and bring them to life!

In conclusion, implementing design thinking can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the project. It requires a dedicated team, the right tools, and a budget to cover expenses. But, with the right approach, design thinking can lead to innovative solutions that meet the needs of users and drive business success.