4 Differences of Design Thinking vs Strategy Action Plan 🌟
- Daniel Ling
- Jan 17, 2024
- 5 min read
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.
Check out the similarities here:
After learning the similarities, I have also found 4 differences between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan.
Make no mistake about it- learning one framework in one context will not be able to apply to another. This is the same analogy if I train you to roller-blade, you may not be able to skateboard- even though both run on wheels! 🛼 🛼 🛹 🛹
The two Action Plan require different techniques.
Here's the difference:
Design Thinking Action Plan:
1️⃣ Problem-Solving Endgame- Solve Complex VUCA Problems
2️⃣ Focal Lens- Focus on Current
3️⃣ Mindset- Adopt Inside-Out Mindset
4️⃣ Impact Area- Impact Customer Experience, Innovation and Productivity
Strategy Action Plan:
1️⃣ Problem-Solving Endgame- Solve Future Challenges
2️⃣ Focal Lens- Forecast and Focus on Future
3️⃣ Mindset- Adopt Forward-back Mindset
4️⃣ Impact Area- Impact Business Readiness, Viability and Competitive Advantage
Over the next few posts, I will deep dive into the 4 differences..
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 and differences.. get to work. 💪🏻💪🏻
1️⃣ Problem-Solving Endgame:
I found 4 differences between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan-
PART 1
1️⃣ Problem-Solving Endgame:
From organisation perspective, it is interesting to note that all organisations are faced with two types of issues- current VUCA problems and future challenges. Depending on what type of leadership or context of industry you are in- you will be more focused on one over the other.
Design Thinking Action Plan:
👉🏻 Solve Complex VUCA Problems
Imagine a financial institution facing a VUCA problem of declining user engagement with its mobile application due to poor UX or complex user tasks. Design Thinking Action Plan would involve conducting user research, ideating innovative solutions, prototyping, and iteratively testing to address the immediate issue of user disengagement.
Strategy Action Plan:
👉🏻 Concentrate to Solve Future Challenges
Imagine a manufacturing company preparing for the future impact of automation on its workforce. A Strategy Action Plan would help to forecast and frame future scenarios of automation adoption. The plan can help to work on rollout and implementation, analyse workforce skill requirements, upskilling plans or even a financial plan to strategize the cost and value of automation.
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
2️⃣ Focus Area:
I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan-
PART 2
Design Thinking Action Plan:
👉🏻 Focus on Current Problems
We have problems NOW.
It is clear and present.
Requires immediate attention.
We need focus on the present because the present needs us!
For example, an organization aiming to revamp its customer service processes (because complaints are through-the-roof) may use Design Thinking to focus on current pain points and customer feedback to redesign its service delivery model for immediate improvement.
Strategy Action Plan:
👉🏻 Forecast and Focus on Future
We have challenges in the FUTURE.
A new competitive disrupter.
Up and coming technology.
Changing customer trends.
Entering unchartered markets.
We need to look ahead to future business challenges.
In contrast, the same organisation will consider expanding its market share internationally may develop a Strategy Action Plan that looks ahead to future opportunities and challenges in the new market- considering key insights like future consumer behaviour and trends, changing drivers and trends and local market competition.
____________________________________
___________________________________
3️⃣ Mindset Adoption:
I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan-
PART 3
Design Thinking Action Plan:
👉🏻 Mindset- Adopt Mainly Inside-Out Mindset
In Design Thinking, the focus of the discovery is inside-out, where we look into insights through empathy within the context of stepping into the shoes of our customers and identify problems from digging deeper.
For example, a retail company wants to enhance its in-store shopping experience. Adopting an inside-out mindset, they would first understand who are their customers and what are their shopping needs, pain points or delighters in order to see what are the issues and problems.
Strategy Action Plan:
👉🏻 Mindset- Adopt Forward-back Mindset
In Strategy Thinking and Entrepreneurship, the focus of the discovery is forward-back, where we look into trends, changing future behaviours and emerging competition that we can forecast as potential challenges to come.
In contrast, the same retail company will be strategizing for future growth, they might adopt a forward-back mindset by looking at the up-and-coming technological trends and future scenarios that will shape the outlook in order to create solutions to plan for future strategy.
4️⃣ Impact Area to Organisation:
I found 4 similarities between Design Thinking Action Plan vs Strategy Action Plan- PART 4
Design Thinking Action Plan:
👉🏻 Impact Area- Impact Customer Experience, Innovation and Productivity
Design Thinking is like going to the gym- make one look good (customer experience), build new muscles (innovation) and lose fats (productivity).
For example, Design Thinking Action Plan implemented by an e-commerce platform may result in improved customer satisfaction through streamlined checkout processes, innovative product recommendations, and personalized shopping experiences.
Strategy Action Plan:
👉🏻 Impact Area- Impact Business Readiness, Viability and Competitive Advantage
Strategy is like planning for a soccer match - all ready to win the opponent by being prepared, adaptable with different tactics and always be at an advantage.
For example, Strategy Action Plan executed by a financial institution might lead to increased business readiness by diversifying its investment portfolio, enhancing risk management practices, and strengthening regulatory compliance measures to adapt to evolving market conditions.
Last Words
I will be adding more articles on Design Thinking throughout the year. Articles of Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test will be added periodically to give my readers a broader insights to Design Thinking.
Check out more articles via my blog:
Follow me on social media:
Instagram- @designthinkersgroupdtv
About the Author
Daniel Ling is a regional Design Leader, and certified Design and Agile Coach with 15 years of experience in the financial and e-commerce tech space- who moulded himself to be a “designer in a business suit”- strong in the Design Thinking process and yet relevant to the industry. He is proficient in the digital and transformational space- in the area of design leadership and management, research, strategy planning and coaching.
How to sign up for his WSQ Certification Courses:
WSQ Design Thinking:
WSQ Entrepreneurship Business Planning:
Where to get Complete Design Thinking Guide for Successful Professionals?
Download PDF Digital Copy here: https://payhip.com/b/hM4U
Purchase from Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1514202735
Download eBook from Apple Store here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/complete-design-thinking-guide/id1022432207?ls=1&mt=11
Comments