Sensemaking and design thinking: a synergy for transformation
“Thought is not merely expressed in words; it comes into existence through them.”- John Dewey, Philosopher and Educational Reformer
Our children are struggling today. Social media platforms have optimized applications for engagement and time online. Over time, this has conditioned our brains to seek immediate satisfaction, certainty, and solutions, hindering our ability to deeply understand complex issues and their multiple causes and how to face change.
As a mother, I know this firsthand — With two children entering the University system, the lack of preparation they have received in supplemental education is evident. Okay, its terrifying. For kids growing up in the era of “Hey Google” and now ChatGPT, how do we teach our kids the empathy and critical skills needed to face the 21st Century?
In our over-saturated landscape of problem-solving and innovation techniques, combining two robust methodologies, sensemaking and design thinking, creates a powerful synergy that takes you beyond the traditional approach to solutioning. It is my own experience that combining the process of sensemaking, which allows you to make sense of complex information, and humanity-centred design principles of design thinking, anyone can be equipped with the tools to tackle the most complex challenges, with empathy and creativity.
First, let us look at these two approaches separately:
Sensemaking is the process by which people give meaning to their collective experiences. It helps create meaning from ambiguity and complexity and helps us make sense of the world around us.
Design Thinking, on the other hand, is a humanity-centered approach to solving problems. It starts with developing empathy and understanding the user’s needs, challenging assumptions, and ideating creative solutions you can prototype and test.
Synergies revealed
So, how can these two processes come together to create transformative solutions?
Empathy and understanding
The first stage of the design thinking process focuses on user-centric research. The process forces us to begin with an empathetic understanding of the problem you are trying to solve. Layered with sensemaking, this process enhances our understanding, by providing a structured approach to understanding context, cultural differences, different perspectives, and possible factors of how people experience things. This, in turn, leads us to the next stage of ideation.
Ideation
In the ideation stage of the design thinking process, we are ready to generate ideas stemming from the prior exercise in empathy and understanding. Sensemaking contributes by providing deep insights gained through understanding the problem. Design thinking can then build on these insights by using brainstorming and ideation techniques to ideate innovative solutions. Others have written about design thinking as a tool that should be used for everyday solutioning and I extend it here to layer on the sensemaking elements.
After the ideation exercises, we move to stages of visualization, though more commonly referred to as prototyping, given design thinking roots in the design space.
Iterative Prototyping with Purpose
Sensemaking continues in the prototyping phase by iterating on evolving insights, allowing for continuous refinement and adaptation based on feedback.
Solutions to today’s complex problems require the ability to decompose complex situations and recompose them without limiting our understanding of the interconnectedness of the parts and moving the problem elsewhere. Bringing together sensemaking and design thinking processes ensures that solutions are innovative and rooted in a deep understanding of the problem. By embracing this dynamic interplay, students will be better equipped to innovate, adapt, and create meaningful impact.
Today’s students will face some of the most challenging problems humanity has ever faced. The layering combination of sensemaking and design thinking creates a transformative partnership. Sensemaking and design thinking are not just methodologies but mindsets that foster deep understanding, empathy, and innovation.
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About me: Hello, my name is Sue Waddell, and I am the other half of the co-founding team of Human Tech Futures. At Human Tech Futures, we’re passionate about helping our clients navigate the future with confidence! Innovation and transformation are at the core of what we do, and we believe in taking a human-focused approach every step of the way.
We understand that the future can be uncertain and challenging, which is why we offer a range of engagement packages tailored to meet the unique needs of both individuals and organizations. Whether you’re an individual looking to embrace change, a business seeking to stay ahead of the curve, or an organization eager to shape a better future, we’ve got you covered.
Connect with us at https://www.humantechfutures.ca/contact
