Designing Change that Matters

Design Thinking is a human-centered approach to solving challenges. Traditionally used for assisting in the design of products that people would like to use, the methodology has more recently been applied to many other challenges that do not necessarily lead to any product outcome. More recently it has been used to re-design processes impacting sustainability, social ailments and future of work scenarios. I was first introduced to design thinking in early 2014 when the opportunity to educate and certify on design thinking presented itself. I convinced my manager that it would be a good skill to develop even though I was in sales at that time. The Stanford d School of design was offering the training and certification course in Palo Alto, CA. I facilitate dozens of design thinking sessions every year. I also volunteer my skills to teach children from low-income neighborhoods design thinking and entrepreneurship at their schools where the topic of entrepreneurial activities would not traditionally have been a subject of focus. It is through that volunteer work; I met the founders of Mission Philadelphia who are working with the local government and dozens of non-profit organizations all trying to tackle homelessness and food insecurity in Philadelphia and the surrounding area. By applying design thinking to solve the challenge, we are working to come away with impactful solutions that will be tailored to the needs of the actual homelessness as one blanket solution will not solve the problem.