Today's DEI pieces of training and programs are frequently developed with a one-size-fits-all strategy that focuses on changing the attitudes of others. However, by being more strategic and human-centric, thinking like a designer may help us alter and enhance diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) activities.
Design thinking principles can help us holistically handle today's more complex and interrelated DEI concerns using a five-step road map.
The 5 Stages of the design thinking method as mapped out by Stanford University are the following:
1. Empathize
This is the first stage of design thinking. Typically through user research, you should get a sympathetic grasp of the problem you're trying to solve. This involves research and analysis of the gathered data to understand the company's current DEI state.
Empathy is the starting point for design thinking. People are at the heart of DEI's activities. We must have a thorough awareness of our people's wants and feelings to produce value through DEI efforts. It is essential in a human-centered design approach like design thinking. It helps you put your worldview aside and acquire meaningful insight into consumers and their needs.
2. Define
This is the stage of DEI where the problem is defined. To generate the most authentic and emotionally resonant solutions, we must put our associates at the center of the problem-solving issues. We must have to state and define the critical roadblocks that hinder sustainable progress.
The information acquired while in the Empathize stage is compiled. We then have to analyze the fundamental issues that the company and the team have identified. Problem statements are what they're termed. The proper measures to perform are asking the correct questions, selecting the right indicators, spotting the suitable patterns, and coming up with the correct answer.
3. Ideate
This stage is the time to bring in various viewpoints to identify the root of problems and potential solutions. Because we have a strong foundation of information from the last two phases, we can now begin to "think outside of the box," look for new perspectives on the problem, and develop creative solutions to the problem statement constructed. Brainstorming is especially effective in this situation.
4. Prototype
This stage is to start to create and develop solutions. The goal of this stage, which can be an experimental phase, is to find the best potential answer for each problem encountered. We can deliver a program prototype to test the solution's efficacy and relevancy by knowing which elements work and which don't.
5. Test
We pilot the solution to test results and evaluate the next iterative that expands on the existing components during the test stage.
Always pilot a solution with controllable groups before rolling it out on a big scale to test the results and learn from the experience. We have the opportunity to modify early prototypes into solutions with more promising potential based on the collected feedback and observation.
