101 Design Methods

A step-by-step guidebook on deploying design thinking for innovation.

Design thinking is a mindset and method that can be applied to nearly any innovation challenge or endeavor. Using structured methods for observation, reframing, ideation, prototyping, and planning, design thinking can be used to develop innovative solutions in a wide range of business scenarios and social reform.

101 Design Methods is the first step-by-step guidebook for successful innovation through design thinking. Unlike other popular titles, 101 Design Methods approaches the practice of creating new products, services, and customer experiences as a science, rather than an art, providing a practical set of collaborative tools and methods for planning and defining successful new offerings. Exploring the "mindset" and "methods" for each, the modes of thinking covered include:

• Sense Intent
• Know Context
• Know People
• Frame Insights
• Explore Concepts
• Frame Solutions
• Realize Offerings

Strategists, managers, designers, and researchers who undertake the challenge of innovation, despite a lack of established procedures and a high risk of failure, will find 101 Design Methods an invaluable resource. Novices can learn from it; practitioners can structure their work; managers can plan with it; and executives can make decisions based on it.

• Introduction
• Four Core Principles of Sucessful Innovation
• Principle 1: Build Innovations Around Experiences
• Principle 2: Think of Innovations as Systems
• Principle 3: Cultivate an Innovation Culture
• Principle 4: Adopt a Disciplined Innovation Process
• A Model of the Design Innovation Process
• The Design Innovation Process
• Process Is Nonlinear
• Process Is Iterative
• Seven Modes of the Design Innovation Process
• Mode 1: Sense Intent
• Mode 2: Know Context
• Mode 3: Know People
• Mode 4: Frame Insights
• Mode 5: Explore Concepts
• Mode 6: Frame Solutions
• Mode 7: Realize Offerings
• Understanding Methods
• Mode 1: Sense Intent
• Sense Intent: Mindsets
• Sensing Changing Conditions
• Seeing Overviews
• Foreseeing Trends
• Reframing Problems
• Forming an Intent
• Sense Intent: Methods
1. Buzz Reports
2. Popular Media Scan
3. Key Facts
4. Innovation Sourcebook
5. Trends Expert Interview
6. Keyword Biometrics
7. Ten Types of Innovation Framework
8. Innovation Landscape
9. Trends Matrix
10. Convergence Map
11. From…To Exploration
12. Initial Opportunity Map
13. Offering-Activity-Culture Map
14. Intent Statement
    
• Mode 2: Know Context
• Know Context: Mindsets
• Knowing Context History
• Understanding Frontiers
• Seeing System Overviews
• Understanding Stakeholders
• Using Mental Models
• Know Context: Methods
1. Contextual Research Plan
2. Popular Media Search
3. Publications Research
4. Eras Map
5. Innovation Evolution Map
6. Financial Profile
7. Analogous Models
8. Competitors—Complementors Map
9. Ten Types of Innovation Diagnostics
10. Industry Diagnostics
11. SWOT Analysis
12. Subject Matter Experts Interview
13. Interest Groups Discussion
• Mode 3: Know People
• Know People: Mindsets
• Observing Everything
• Building Empathy
• Immersing in Daily Life
• Listening Openly
• Looking for Problems and Needs
• Know People: Methods
1. Research Participant Map
2. Research Planning Survey
3. User Research Plan
4. Five Human Factors
5. POEMS
6. Field Visit
7. Video Ethnography
8. Ethnographic Interview
9. User Pictures Interview
10. Cultural Artifacts
11. Image Sorting
12. Experience Simulation
13. Field Activity
14. Remote Research
15. User Observation Database
• Mode 4: Frame Insights
• Frame Insights: Mindsets
• Exploring Systems
• Looking for Patterns
• Constructing Overviews
• Identifying Opportunities
• Developing Guiding Principles
• Frame Insights: Methods
1. Observation to Insights
2. Insights Sorting
3. User Observation Database Queries
4. User Response Analysis
5. ERAF Systems Diagram
6. Descriptive Value Web
7. Entities Position Map
8. Venn Diagram
9. Tree/Semi-Lattice Diagramming
10. Symmetric Clustering Matrix
11. Asymmetric Clustering Matrix
12. Activity Network
13. Insights Clustering Matrix
14. Semantic Profile
15. User Groups Definition
16. Compelling Experience Map
17. User Journey Map
18. Summary Framework
19. Design Principles Generation
20. Analysis Workshop
• Mode 5: Explore Concepts
• Explore Concepts: Mindsets
• Challenging Assumptions
• Standing in the Future
• Exploring Concepts at the Fringes
• Seeking Clearly Added Value
• Narrating Stories about the Future
• Explore Concepts: Methods
1. Principles to Opportunities
2. Opportunity Mind Map
3. Value Hypothesis
4. Persona Definition
5. Ideation Session
6. Concept-Generating Matrix
7. Concept Metaphors and Analogies
8. Role-Play Ideation
9. Ideation Game
10. Puppet Scenario
11. Behavioral Prototype
12. Concept Prototype
13. Concept Sketch
14. Concept Scenario
15. Concept Sorting
16. Concept Grouping Matrix
17. Concept Catalog
• Mode 6: Frame Solutions
• Frame Solutions: Mindsets
• Conceiving Holistic Solutions
• Conceiving Options
• Making Value Judgments
• Envisioning Scenarios
• Structuring Solutions
• Frame Solutions: Methods
1. Morphological Synthesis
2. Concept Evaluation
3. Prescriptive Value Web
4. Concept-Linking Map
5. Foresight Scenario
6. Solution Diagramming
7. Solution Storyboard
8. Solution Enactment
9. Solution Prototype
10. Solution Evaluation
11. Solution Roadmap
12. Solution Database
13. Synthesis Workshop
• Mode 7: Realize Offerings
• Realize Offerings: Mindsets
• Reiterating Prototypes
• Evaluating in Reality
• Defining Strategies
• Implementing in Reality
• Communicating Vision
• Realize Offerings: Methods
1. Strategy Roadmap
2. Platform Plan
3. Strategy Plan Workshop
4. Pilot Development and Testing
5. Implementation Plan
6. Competencies Plan
7. Team Formation Plan
8. Vision Statement
9. Innovation Brief

I really wanted to like this book! The structure promised a lot, but it is only a summary-type of book about design methods and research-methods.

With that said, it is not bad, but it is not on any top-10 list…