4 Differences of Design Thinking vs Strategy Action Plan 🌟

Daniel Ling
Jan 17, 2024
5 min read

Updated: May 30

Daniel Ling sit and smile in front of a crowded auditorium. Red chairs, wood paneling, and casual attire suggest an academic event.- regarding Design Thinking and Strategy

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:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/4-similarities-design-thinking-vs-strategy-action-plan-daniel-ling-nb3zc/?trackingId=cGGxLid5QwmBeRKhaRckIA%3D%3D

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. 💪🏻💪🏻

Daniel Ling presenting at the front of a classroom with a "Design Thinking Certification Course" slide. Attendees sit at tables with supplies. — Let's look at the differences between Design Thinking vs Strategy. 👇

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.

Daniel Ling with group smiling, giving thumbs up, holding certificates in a bright room with green accents. Mood is celebratory and joyful. Learning Design Thinking and Strategy — All organisations are faced with two types of issues- current VUCA problems and future challenges.

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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.

Daniel Ling speaks on stage with a mic, holding paper. Two screens display text about a credit card sales drop. Design Thinking Action Plan focus on current problems while Strategy focus on future challenges. — Design Thinking Action Plan focus on current problems while Strategy focus on future challenges.

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___________________________________

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.

Daniel Ling presents to a seated group in a modern room with orange accents and circular ceiling panels. Design Thinking Action Plan focus on current problems while Strategy focus on future challenges. — Both Design Thinking and Strategy have different mindsets- Inside-out and Forward-back!

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.

Daniel Ling sit in front of a large audience in an auditorium. Red seats and wood-paneled walls are visible. Audience looks engaged. — 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

Follow me on social media:

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-ling-designthinkersgroupdtv

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Instagram- @designthinkersgroupdtvhttps://www.instagram.com/designthinkersgroupdtv?igsh=ajg2NGplbXJ1cWU4&utm_source=qr

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.

How to sign up for his WSQ Certification Courses

WSQ Advanced Design Thinking:

https://www.emerge-creatives.com/wsq-design-thinking-certification-course

WSQ Entrepreneurship Business Strategy:

https://www.emerge-creatives.com/entrepreneurship-business-planning

WSQ AI Business Innovation:

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

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

Design Thinking Guide Book- Learn how to problem-solve, creative and innovative in the digital transformation, impress your boss and get you promoted

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:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/4-similarities-design-thinking-vs-strategy-action-plan-daniel-ling-nb3zc/?trackingId=cGGxLid5QwmBeRKhaRckIA%3D%3D

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

Strategy Action Plan:

👉🏻 Concentrate to Solve Future Challenges

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.

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.

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.

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

WSQ AI Business Innovation:

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