4 Similarities of Design Thinking vs Strategy Action Plan 🌟

Introduction of Design Thinking and Strategy

After delivering both Design Thinking and Strategy frameworks for past 15 years..  here's my revelation..  👀

I found 4 similarities and 4 differences between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan. 

In essence, as a layman- Strategy Action Plan are used by "consultants" as a sexier version of Design Thinking.. similar to when Lexus is perceived as a sexier brand but runs on Toyota engine. 😅😅

Strategy Action Plan is indeed run on a Design Thinking engine.. and many of the mindsets run similarly.. however, I want to open up the details and make clarity: 

Here's the similarity:

1️⃣  Understanding and Empathy:

Both Action Plan focused on understanding the context or learn from perspective of the users.

2️⃣ Problem Framing:

Both frame the target problem and action based on insights gained from the previous Phase.

3️⃣ Ideation and Decision Making:

Both apply creativity and ideation to generate solutions and will require decision-making in collaboration. 

4️⃣ Implementation and Iteration:

Both will implement the chosen solution and continuously iterate based on feedback and insights.

With this two Action Plans- if Design Thinking can 10X your value in the marketplace- then Strategy can double your 10X easily. Let's deep-dive into their similarities .. get to work. 💪🏻💪🏻

Let's look at the similarities between Design Thinking vs Strategy. 👇

1️⃣ Understanding and Empathy 🔍 

I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan-

PART 1

In both Design Thinking and Strategy Action Plans- understanding and empathy are foundational. By deeply comprehending the context and perspectives of the target audience, we create solutions that truly address 

Needs.

Pain points.

Delighters. 

This approach not only ensure insights and clarity that will help to define the issue or problem better. 

For example- the Empathize Phase (Design Thinking) focus on target users to understand their needs so that you can further define the key problem to solve later. 

In Diagnose Phase (Strategy)- we take a different approach to look for an organisational perspective in understanding context, trends, competitors and future personas in order to have empathy. 

These Phases (Empathize and Diagnose) in the both Action Plan- are easily the most crucial mindset shift amongst all frameworks - empathy - where most of us so readily leave out in our quest to solve problems or make strategies. 

Both Design Thinking and Strategy focus on understanding and empathy.

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2️⃣ Problem Framing 🧩

I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan-

PART 2

Both Design Thinking and Strategy Action Plans- emphasize the importance of framing the problem accurately. By leveraging insights gained from Empathize Phase (Design Thinking) or Diagnose Phase (Strategy), we can define a current problem or forecast a future challenge effectively. 

This clarity helps in focusing efforts on what truly matters. Remember, a well-framed problem is half-solved! 

Key mindsets:

Ask the right questions.

Think critical.

Collaborate and discuss as a team.

Be structured. 

Align with business and creative lens.

However,  higher difficulty of Frame & Forecast Phase (Strategy) is the fact that the challenge may only happen in the future- it may or may not happen! 

This requires more than just defining a VUCA problem perceived right now but a potential VUCA challenge in the FUTURE. So on top of the above convergence mindsets, we also need divergence ability to brainstorm the future scenario as well! 

We need to frame the problem (both current and future) in Design Thinking & Strategy!

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3️⃣ Ideation and Decision Making 💡

I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan-

PART 3

Creativity and collaboration are at the heart of both Design Thinking and Strategy Action Plans.

In these frameworks, ideation sessions bring diverse perspectives together to generate innovative solutions. 

Following ideation, collaborative decision-making ensures that the most promising ideas are selected for implementation. I have mentioned in many of my trainings- if you are doing Design Thinking or Strategy alone.. it's time to tender your resignation. 😇😇

Come together.

Brainstorm.

Create.

Discuss.

Decide.

These are the basics of how Design and Strategic Thinking works! 

Now that you know the 3 Parts of Strategy using this simple analogy- please go ahead and apply strategy in your future daily challenge- your mindset will shift!

Both Design Thinking and Strategy require us to ideate and decide together!

4️⃣ Implementation and Iteration 🚲

I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan-

PART 4

Implementation is not the end, but a new beginning in both Design Thinking and Strategy Action Plans. 

After decision-making of potential solution to problem or a future challenge, we begin to build it- it could be a prototype (During the Prototype and Test Phase in Design Thinking) or it could be a business strategy (During the Decide and Implement Phase). 

The key mindset is to drive that the "building" will hve 

Continuous iteration 

Get feedback and insights

Have constant refinement 

Align and collaborate closely

It's OK to fail and TRY AGAIN! 

Let's embrace iteration for continuous improvement for both Design Thinking and Strategy! 💪🏻💪🏻

Design Thinking & Strategy require us to constantly prototype, iterate and have continuous improvement.

Last Words

I will be adding more articles on Design Thinking, Strategy and Innovation throughout the year. Articles of these 5 Step Action Plan and Modern Soft Skills will be added periodically to give my readers a broader insights to how to crush complex problems, overcome future challenges and spot AI opportunities.

Check out more articles via my blog:https://www.emerge-creatives.com/blog-1

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About the Author

Daniel Ling is a regional ex-Design Leader turned educator, and business owner of Emerge Creatives, an registered SSG training provider (RTP) to deliver modern soft skills to professionals through Design Thinking, Business Strategy, and AI Innovation.

With over 15 years of experience in the financial and e-commerce tech industries- including key leadership roles at Lazada, NTUC Income, OCBC, and DBS- Daniel has led cross-regional design teams, built design functions from the ground up, and spearheaded large-scale transformation initiatives. But beyond industry success,

Daniel has reinvented himself as a “designer in a business suit”- equally fluent in creative strategy and commercial impact.

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https://www.emerge-creatives.com/wsq-ai-business-innovation-management

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