The HR & OB Society
D esign T hinking I n HR
hat is Design Thinking?
Design Thinking is an iterative process in which we seek to understand the
user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems in an attempt to
identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly
apparent with our initial level of understanding. At the same time, Design
Thinking provides a solution-based approach to solving problems. It is a way of thinking and
working as well as a collection of hands-on methods 1 .
W
In one sentence – design thinking is the process of creative problem solving.
Let us look at a real-life example and try to apply design thinking.
My friend, let us name her S, recently joined an organisation. She is a fresher. She has been
recruited to be a part of a team who sits in row 1 and unfortunately row 1 is fully occupied.
Row 2,3 and 4 are all fully occupied with members of different teams. Hence she has been
sitting in row 5 since she has joined. However, the current HR of that organisation doesn’t
think that there is a problem here. Why? Because the HR hasn’t EMPATHISED. If we
empathise we realise what the problem is. The new recruit doesn’t sit with her team. Now of
course, the manager calls her to his desk and gives her work but that is all the interaction that
takes place between her and her boss. We can clearly see that there is no employee
engagement here.
Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi
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