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DTMethod: A New Evidence-Based Design Thinking Methodology for Effective Teamwork

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  • Karolina Dukala

    (Faculty of Psychology in Katowice, SWPS University, 03-815 Warszawa, Poland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Joanna Pyrkosz-Pacyna

    (Faculty of Humanities, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Rafał Czarny

    (Inprogress, 31-351 Kraków, Poland)

Abstract

Design thinking (DT) emerged as a popular method of problem solving and idea generation in creative teams. However, despite the rapid increase in interest in DT as a practical tool, evidence for its effectiveness is rather scarce. Furthermore, neither the theory underlying the methods used in DT nor the definition of DT is coherent. As such, we have decided to introduce a new approach to DT by designing an evidence-based methodology and testing its efficacy among teams working on a specific task. In this article, we present the design thinking method (DTMethod), developed by an interdisciplinary team of practitioners and academics. We also present empirical evidence on the effectiveness of the DTMethod in the teamwork setting. In our study of 39 teams, we found that by using the DTMethod teams achieved more favorable results in terms of utility and meeting set requirements but not in terms of cost or time efficiency. We also found that individuals working according to the DTMethod reported experiencing less positive emotional states but were, overall, more satisfied with the experience and rated teamwork more favorably in terms of cohesiveness and team effort.

Suggested Citation

  • Karolina Dukala & Joanna Pyrkosz-Pacyna & Rafał Czarny, 2023. "DTMethod: A New Evidence-Based Design Thinking Methodology for Effective Teamwork," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-14, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4187-:d:1080565
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Neeraj Sonalkar & Ade Mabogunje & Gina Pai & Aparna Krishnan & Bernard Roth, 2016. "Diagnostics for Design Thinking Teams," Understanding Innovation, in: Hasso Plattner & Christoph Meinel & Larry Leifer (ed.), Design Thinking Research, pages 35-51, Springer.
    2. Philipp Skogstad & Larry Leifer, 2011. "A Unified Innovation Process Model for Engineering Designers and Managers," Understanding Innovation, in: Christoph Meinel & Larry Leifer & Hasso Plattner (ed.), Design Thinking, pages 19-43, Springer.
    3. Martin Hoegl & Hans Georg Gemuenden, 2001. "Teamwork Quality and the Success of Innovative Projects: A Theoretical Concept and Empirical Evidence," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 12(4), pages 435-449, August.
    4. Steven P. Dow & Alana Glassco & Jonathan Kass & Melissa Schwarz & Daniel L. Schwartz & Scott R. Klemmer, 2012. "Parallel Prototyping Leads to Better Design Results, More Divergence, and Increased Self-efficacy," Understanding Innovation, in: Hasso Plattner & Christoph Meinel & Larry Leifer (ed.), Design Thinking Research, edition 127, pages 127-153, Springer.
    5. Jan Schmiedgen & Lea Spille & Eva Köppen & Holger Rhinow & Christoph Meinel, 2016. "Measuring the Impact of Design Thinking," Understanding Innovation, in: Hasso Plattner & Christoph Meinel & Larry Leifer (ed.), Design Thinking Research, pages 157-170, Springer.
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