The document discusses how design thinking and systems theory can be combined to address complex problems. It defines design thinking as a human-centered process that emphasizes observation, collaboration, and rapid prototyping to influence innovation and business strategy. Systems thinking focuses on how interventions can have unintended consequences within socio-technical interactions that change dynamically. The document argues that by applying both design thinking and systems theory, designers can better understand and address "wicked problems" that are ill-defined with many conflicting perspectives and uncertain outcomes.

1. systemic design:
design thinking meets systems theory
24 February 2016Excellence Dayz, Riyadh

2. What do designers do?
Complexity and simplicity
Systems thinking
Design thinking
How do they match?
2

3. 3

4. 4

5. 5

7. Wicked Problems: “a class of
social system problems, which
are ill-formulated, where the
information is confusing, where
there are many clients and
decision makers with conflicting
values and where the
ramifications in the whole
system are thoroughly
confusing.”
Rittel, 1974

8. 8

9. 9

10. Systems thinking
Interventions have unintended consequences.
Failure happens.
There are multiple disciplines and perspectives
Operating characteristics change dynamically.
Complexity comes from socio-technical interactions.
10

11. 11

12. 12

13. 13

14. Design thinking: “a human-
centered innovation process that
emphasizes observation,
collaboration, fast learning,
visualization of ideas, rapid
concept prototyping, and
concurrent business analysis,
which ultimately influences
innovation and business
strategy.”
Thomas Lockwood, DMI President

15. 15

16. How do designers think?
People-centered
Experimenting
Questioning
Visualising
16

17. 17

18. 18

20. 20

23. 23

24. 24

25. 25