Design Thinking in Software and AI Projects : Proving Ideas Through Rapid Prototyping

Learn the fundamentals of Design Thinking and how to apply Design Thinking techniques in defining software development and AI solutions. Design Thinking is an approach to innovation which identifies problems and generates solution ideas that can be rapidly proven through prototyping.This book provides a brief history of Design Thinking and an overview of the process. It then drills down into more detail regarding methods and tools used in a Design Thinking workshops leading to useful prototypes. Guidance is provided on: * Preparing for a Design Thinking Workshop * Uncovering potential business problems that might be solved * Prioritizing potential solutions * Identifying and characterizing stakeholders * Choosing the right prototypes for development * Limiting scope and best practices in prototype building The book concludes with a discussion of best practices in operationalizing successful prototypes, and describes change management techniques critical for successful adoption. You can use the knowledge gained from reading this book to incorporate Design Thinking techniques in your software development and AI projects, and assure timely and successful delivery of solutions.**What You Will Learn*** Gain foundational knowledge of what Design Thinking is and when to apply the technique * Discover preparation and facilitation techniques used in workshops * Know how ideas are generated and then validated through prototyping * Understand implementation best practices, including change management considerations **Who This Book Is For**Business decision makers and project stakeholders as well as IT project owners who seek a method leading to fast development of successful software and AI prototypes demonstrating real business value. Also for data scientists, developers, and systems integrators who are interested in facilitating or utilizing Design Thinking workshops to drive momentum behind potential software development and AI projects. Table of Contents About the Authors Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Design Thinking Overview and History Design Thinking and Innovation Overcoming Fear of Failure Approach Is Everything A Brief History and Frameworks Stanford d.school Framework IDEO Framework Double Diamond Design Methodology Applying a Framework and Methodology Design Thinking, DevOps, and Adoption Summary Chapter 2: Preparing for a Workshop Conveying What the Workshop Is About Roles and Responsibilities Coordination Prior to the Workshop Define Workshop Value and Outcomes Set Guidelines and Rules for the Workshop Confirm the Right Participants Will Be Present Ask for Additional Information Facilitation and Independent Research Top-of-Mind Industry Topics Agribusiness Construction and Mining Education and Research Finance – Banking and Portfolio Management Finance – Insurance Healthcare Payers Healthcare Providers and Senior Living Hospitality Legal Firms and Professional Services Manufacturing – Consumer Packaged Goods Manufacturing – Equipment and Vehicles Media and Entertainment Oil and Gas Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Property Management Retail Telecommunications Transportation Utilities Workshop Facility and Supplies Summary Chapter 3: Problem Definition Self-Introductions and Workshop Overview Tool: ELMO Card Method: Introduction Card Method: Participant Connections Selecting Goals and Diverse Teams Method: How Might We Method: Team Naming Method: Abstraction Ladder Tool: Voting Mapping Stakeholders and Personas Method: Stakeholder Mapping Method: Proto-Personas Positives, Opportunities, and Negatives Method: Rose-Bud-Thorn Method: Clustering Areas of Impact Refine to One Problem Statement Method: How Might We... Summary Chapter 4: Solution Definition Refresher and Restate the Challenge Getting Inspiration Method: Beginner’s Mind Method: Review Data and Research Method: Outside Perspective Method: Lightning Demos Method: Inspiration Landscape Understanding Innovation Ambition Solution Ideation Method: Creative Matrix Narrowing Solution Choice Method: Effort Value Matrix Method: Visualizations Solution Evaluation Method: Outside Feedback and Iteration Method: Testable Hypothesis Method: Value Map Framework Road Map and Close Summary Chapter 5: Prototype Creation Choosing a Prototyping Approach User Interface Prototypes Applications vs. Custom Build Reference Architectures Prototype and Solution Evaluation Summary Chapter 6: Production Development Selling the Project Gathering Needed Information The Selling Message Development Philosophy and DevOps Summary Chapter 7: Production Rollout Operationalizing the Solution Change Management Considerations Assessing Project Success Summary Appendix: Sources Books and Printed Sources Online Sources Index Learn the fundamentals of Design Thinking and how to apply Design Thinking techniques in defining software development and AI solutions. Design Thinking is an approach to innovation which identifies problems and generates solution ideas that can be rapidly proven through prototyping. This book provides a brief history of Design Thinking and an overview of the process. It then drills down into more detail regarding methods and tools used in a Design Thinking workshops leading to useful prototypes. Guidance is provided on: Preparing for a Design Thinking Workshop Uncovering potential business problems that might be solved Prioritizing potential solutions Identifying and characterizing stakeholders Choosing the right prototypes for development Limiting scope and best practices in prototype building The book concludes with a discussion of best practices in operationalizing successful prototypes, and describes change management techniques critical for successful adoption. You can use the knowledge gained from reading this book to incorporate Design Thinking techniques in your software development and AI projects, and assure timely and successful delivery of solutions. What You Will Learn Gain foundational knowledge of what Design Thinking is and when to apply the technique Discover preparation and facilitation techniques used in workshops Know how ideas are generated and then validated through prototyping Understand implementation best practices, including change management considerations Who This Book Is For Business decision makers and project stakeholders as well as IT project owners who seek a method leading to fast development of successful software and AI prototypes demonstrating real business value. Also for data scientists, developers, and systems integrators who are interested in facilitating or utilizing Design Thinking workshops to drive momentum behind potential software development and AI projects.