Introduction

In highly technology and global competitive world, person needs to develop and use various
sets of skills for being successful. One of these types of skills is design thinking. Design is
considered as key activity of engineering. Design thinking is crucial to design effective
solutions for meeting social needs. Similar as problem solving, design is also a natural human
activity. In the business process, design thinking is essential to design the products and
services for achieving business competitive (Owen, 2007). This design thinking essay includes
reflection and self-analysis which I have experienced overall design thinking activities in the
class. By this reflective report, I will demonstrate my knowledge of design thinking in the
overall unit. In addition to this, design thinking essay will also include the action plan of key
activities which I require to gain knowledge and skills in next six months. This design thinking
essay is the demonstration of my learning and understanding in the class lectures. In addition
to this, this design thinking essay would be prepared on the basis of blog entries which are
recorded previously. In the blog entries, there are total 9 blogs including week 1 to 9 which
are recorded as my learning process. This design thinking essay will include time-stamped
meaningful blog entries of overall unit. The report will also include critical self-analysis for
the personal development which will be directly connected to identify strengths and
weaknesses.

Reflections of learning and knowledge-

In the blogs, I have recorded all the activities done in the classes related to the concepts of
design thinking. The recorded blogs are very helpful for to analyze my performance and
understanding during the overall class activities. In the classroom activities, I gained the
knowledge about the concept of design thinking in the business management. Along with
this, design thinking is also important for daily needs of people. Design thinking is the
process to redesign any product or service in business management by using innovative
thinking and new ideas (Makhoul, 2018). Because of various activities and blog records, I
have been able to gain the skills and knowledge of design thinking and put them in the
practice. In the recorded blogs, I will observe key knowledge which I have collected from
course activities of design thinking.

Entrepreneurship and Design-

In the first class, I learned that entrepreneurship and design is interrelated as
entrepreneurship is about visualizing the ideas in the real world. In addition to this, I also
learned about the actual meaning of innovation which was completely different from my
perception. Basically, innovation is not only a new idea but also this is learning something
new from the previous efforts. In this lecture, I enhanced my knowledge of design and
innovation along with the practical understanding. This knowledge would be helpful for me
while working in managerial industry. The designed skills would be beneficial for me in
generating new ideas while working in business organizations (Conway, Masters & Thorold,
2017).

Design tools-
In second class lecture, I learned about various design tools and their processes. The design
tools are helpful in generating new ideas and finding the solutions of the problem. I learned
that there are some differences between business and design in terms of value, process and
method etc. Design tools are different because of various types of design processes. In
addition to this, I learn about the importance of design thinking in future. Basically, design
thinking is important for the development of innovative products and services within an
organization which are aligned with the need of people and connect the consumers on the
deeper level (Lockwood, 2010). The course of design thinking is also crucial as it allows
people with idea generation and critical thinking. This will enhance my problem solving
skills and knowledge of creativity and innovation. With this lecture, I improved my
knowledge related to different processes of design thinking.

Design theory-
In the third lecture, I gained knowledge about design theory. I learned that there are various
aspects of design theory. Basically, design theory includes principles and fundamentals of
developing visual communication. By the design theory, I will be able to see and perceive
visual information, various ideas of style and trends of universal principles of aesthetics. I
learned that design theory includes the purpose and approach of problem solving to get
effective design solution (Cross, 2004). In the lecture, the most interesting theory was logic
of reasoning i.e. what + how = desired value. In addition to this, I learned about various
theories of design and without design. There are some of the theories including Geastalt
theory, Functionalism, Ecosystem Model, Person-environment theory, and change theory.
By the examples given by tutor, I was able to understand about the design theories I was
involved in tasks to understand the desired values. The topic was related to parking issue in
Melbourne. I need to think about outcomes of to solve this type of issues (Lundgren, 2018).

Knowledge about design problems-

Next lecture was about design problems which are the most important part of design
thinking process. There are two crucial aspects of design problem i.e. problem solving and
problem finding. In addition to this, I learned about the aspects of brainstorming and its
importance in the design thinking.

Brainstorming- In the class lecture, I gained knowledge about the process of

brainstorming by which I would be helpful in developing new and innovative ideas in
design. I learned that brainstorming has informal approach by which the problem of design
thinking can be solved. Brainstorming will be helpful for me in develop new ideas for
creating solutions for the design problems. By the brainstorming, I was motivated for
participating in the design process of various activities. In various activities, I was needed to
think in the logical way. By this class lecture, I identified my strengths as problem solver
and quick observer (Brown, 2008).

Journey mapping
In the next class, I learned about various design thinking tools i.e. journey mapping and
brainstorming in the process. In the class, I gained knowledge about journey mapping as it
is the tool which is used to analyze the experiences of the customers for understanding their
needs and requirements. So, this tool tracks the journey of the customers so that their goals
can be accomplished. Further, I learned about the rule of brainstorming which includes all
the aspects i.e. mind set, challenges, people, empathy, facilitation and much more. So, I got
many views about brainstorming with the deep focus on empathy and analysis (Glen, Sucio
& Baughn, 2014).

Value chain analysis

In the next class, I learned about next design thinking tools i.e. value chain. This diagram is
generated for providing a valuable product to the market. The process of value chain
includes two parts i.e. primary activities and support activities. I learned that key objective
of value chain is to provide competitive advantage of the organization in the market. I gain
knowledge about the research that value chain is the first part of research and the research
process. In addition to this, I learned about the process of mind mapping i.e. this is the
process of representing the hierarchy of branches and sub-branches related to main idea of
the map. So, in this class, I achieved significant knowledge about designing tools,
quantitative and qualitative factors of research (Osterwalder & Pigneur, 2014).

Learning about data sources

In this class, I gained significant knowledge about the research process including primary
data sources. I learned that research is all about identifying, locating, analyzing and
assessing the information for supporting the research questions. In addition to this, I
learned about the concept of primary data source and types of the data sources i.e.
interview, questionnaire like semi structured interview and unstructured interview. In
addition to this, there are some other methods like panel discussion, group interview and
Delphi method about which I learned deeply (May, 2011).

Concept of ethics and ethical considerations- Further, I learned about ethics and
ethical consideration in research which are very important. Ethics are basically norms and
standards in research which differentiate between right and wrong (Dich, McKee & Porter,
2013). In research, I need to adopt ethical behavior for the collaborative work as it will
encourage the environment of accountability, and trust. It is important for adhere ethical
standards for supporting the research. I learned from the class lectures that there can be
ethical issues in the research related to confidentiality, data security and reaction of
participants etc. Ethical consideration is required to deal with the situation of ethical
dilemmas (Resnik, 2015). In addition to this, I got proper knowledge to behave and manage
the interviews. I also learned about co-creation principle. This principle is the management
initiative of the form of economic strategy which brings the parties together for producing
mutually valued outcome.

Learning about design tools

In the next class, I deeply learned about various design tools including prototype of new and
innovative designs. During the class activity, I got the opportunity to work on prototype and
answer the related questions. I learned about rapid prototyping and doubt testing. Further,
there are various types of prototyping i.e. 2D and on paper. I also achieved knowledge about
various alternatives of prototyping i.e. 3D printer and robot hands (Brown & Wyatt, 2010). I
can say that prototyping would be helpful in making new ideas tangible for potential clients.
I enhanced my knowledge on various techniques of prototyping like paper prototyping,
story boarding, and sketching etc. Prototyping is the essential part of design thinking and I
achieved deeply knowledge about this. After this activity, I was able to develop innovative
solutions of the problems identified by me (Schneider, 2017).

Launching innovations
In the last session of the class, I learned the process of launching the innovations. By thus
class, I was able to know how to implement the knowledge into real life. Along with this, I
also learned about the differences between real launch and learning launch. Basically,
learning launch is an experiment which is conducted in the market quickly and
inexpensively. The learning launch creates the bridge between commercial rollout and
customer co-creation. In learning launch, there are some principles i.e. setting tight
boundaries, designing with the focus of key assumptions, working in feedback cycles, and
having backup plans. I learned that ‘learning launch’ is an experiment which is used to
analyze the growth of the business for the further investigation. In addition to this, learning
launch needs tight boundaries and basically focuses on the analysis of innovative business
idea (Liedtka & Hess, 2016). In the class, I performed an activity in which I learned
medicine manufacturer Pfizer. By this activity, I learned about the essentials about the
learning launch. Next, I learned about the process of testing a business idea so that worth of
investing time and money can be determined. In order to test the business idea, there are
two key components which need to be followed. Those components are validating demand
and making sense of investment. The validating demand can be tested by focus groups,
market research, test product functionality and get feedback. I learned that it is important to
figure out how the concept is standing among competitors (Liedtka & Ogilvie, 2010).

Critical self-analysis
During the overall course, I focused on my personal and professional development. In terms
of my development, I tried to define what I really need to enhance in myself so that I can
develop my professional skills and capabilities for working in the business environment. On
analyzing my current development, I observed that I got various positive outcomes in terms
of personal and professional development by attending all the classes in design thinking.
For instance, I got success in my learning and this academic will always motivate me to
carry on my professional development. At the same time, I feel that my skills, knowledge,
and abilities which I gained from overall course will be helpful in my personal life also. I
learned various skills which would b e helpful for me while working in an organization.
Further, in case of development at professional level, I focused on my target development. I
like to learn various design concepts and tool which I can use as the organizational skills in
real world. In addition to this, I learned to organize and plan the primary source of data
while thinking about a new and innovative business idea. I believe that this would be helpful
for me in realizing my full potential and achieve the success in my design problems (Brown
& Martin, 2015).

I have good communication skills and I got proper knowledge to behave and manage the
interviews. By this, I can be able to collect important data so that effective solutions of
design problems can be generated. But I believe that I need to change the direction in which
I can conduct the interviews and collect various primary data for the business research. In
various activities, I was needed to think in the logical way. By this class lecture, I identified
my strengths as problem solver and quick observer. I believe that these class learning are
helpful for me to identify my personal strengths and weaknesses so that I can work upon
them and generate effective design solutions. By various activities conducted in the class, I
identified my drawbacks as well as positive points which I can use for generating new and
innovative ideas for the business management.

Personal strengths and weaknesses

The objective of my study is to explore my personal strengths and weaknesses and reveal my
pathways that will enhance my knowledge and skills during the overall unit. In all over the
course, I have experienced various new things in which I had to take part in various
activities and research processes. While doing all this, some things were perfect but
sometimes, I had to face difficulties. All the activities which were given in the class were
helpful for me in exploring my strength and weakness.
Strengths- During the class activities, I observed that I have self confidence and I try hard
to achieve my goals and objectives. In addition to this, being ambitious is next strength. I
am quit ambitious about the things which I do. I realized how much I have improved my
speaking and writing skills. Next, being a good researcher is my other strength. I believe
that I have characteristics of interest, curiosity and determination to find the answers of the
research questions.

Weaknesses- One of the weaknesses is that I take the things too easy. By avoiding
procrastinate; I can make my work more effective in the group. So, I would try to avoid this
weakness in future. Further, being quiet in the class is my other weakness. This creates the
impression on others of not being confident. I was always aware about this weakness at the
initial level.

Action plan
In order achieve the knowledge and skills in next six months, there is the need of proper
action plan. I have developed an action plan which would be helpful in identifying the
activities and events for gaining knowledge and skills related to design thinking course. For
the development of new skills and knowledge, the action plan is as follows:

For the development and achieve new skills and knowledge, this is an action plan
Supports/ Timeline (or)
Activities
Resources: Frequency:
Working with my group members and friends
This will take
Identifying and prioritizing the skills which Tutor and group
complete
are required for development. members
October
Revisit on the instructional cycle
Understanding and learning the class lessons, Tutor, group
November
Conducting activities for practice and members and set of
Analyzing my skills in the proper manner courses of design
December
thinking
Completing all the home work assignments.
Quizzes, reflection activities and unit
Tutor, Design
assignments
thinking program January
Analyzing my skills and knowledge for better
and matter
understanding

evaluating the scores on assignments, tests

and quizzes,
Recording my observation and Excel worksheet February
focusing on my weekly performance within
the class
 Support developed to
examine suitable
Examination my target development,
levels of
Intervention myself in the group on the basis March
intervention, revise
of performance in class
materials created
with group members
Conclusion
Based on this design thinking essay, I can say that in the business process, design thinking
is essential to design the products and services for achieving business competitive. I learned
about various design tools and their processes. Because of various activities and blog
records, I have been able to gain the skills and knowledge of design thinking and put them
in the practice. In the recorded blogs, I will observe key knowledge which I have collected
from course activities of design thinking. On analyzing my current development in this
design thinking essay, I observed that I got various positive outcomes in terms of personal
and professional development by attending all the classes in design thinking. I feel that my
skills, knowledge, and abilities which I gained from overall course will be helpful in my
personal life also. I learned various skills which would b e helpful for me while working in
an organization. In all over the course, I have experienced various new things in which I had
to take part in various activities and research processes. I got success in my learning and
this academic will always motivate me to carry on my professional development. Further, in
this design thinking essay of development at professional level, I focused on my target
development. I like to learn various design concepts and tool which I can use as the
organizational skills in real world. Design Thinking Essay assignments are being prepared
by our online management homework help experts from top universities which let us to
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