Conference Presentation, Tutorial, Workshop
Workshop: Designing a More Meaningful Life
Milken InstituteKathleen deLaski, Mally, Enrique, James, Ronnie, Cindy, Jill, Lieutenant Megan Wilkins
- The session anticipates increasing complexity in future problems while utilizing design thinking to address school-to-work pipelines, university transformations, and education futures through a hands-on, risk-taking approach led by Kathleen.
- Participants are expected to engage in a rapid, six-month equivalent process covering stages from "what is" to "what works," including partner selection, observation exercises with strict time limits (e.g., 1.5 minutes for sharing pictures, 2 minutes for idea generation), and the completion of the "How Full Is Your Tank" dashboard.
- The design process aims to move from insights and point-of-view definition through ideation and prototyping, emphasizing iteration over linear progress, with prototypes serving as low-cost learning tools built within 3–4 minutes to test assumptions via paper sketches, visual tools, or calendars.
- Broader expectations include the application of creativity to solve complex global issues like world hunger and enterprise challenges, leveraging tools such as lean startup and Agile, while acknowledging the field's growth over the past five to ten years and an IDEO LinkedIn community of approximately 200,000 members.
- Risks and constraints noted involve the lack of defined organizational templates for adaptation, the absence of efficacy studies comparing design thinking to other constructs, and the necessity of integrating change management and business model activities to ensure successful implementation within hierarchical or transient environments.