Design Thinking in Engineering Education and its Adoption in Technology-driven Startups

Abstract

This paper discusses the process created for key performance indicators in the Design Thinking Mentoring for startups in the Creative Economy Program created by Samsung. In almost two years, more than twenty Startups were evaluated using this methodology, which allowed to identify the individual evolutions in each stage of the mentoring process and phase of the Design Thinking Process. The evaluation of the indicators gained refinements along this trajectory, allowing to be applied in different segments of startups market, stages of product maturity and business models. The process aims evaluate the evolution of startups from the application of methodology of Design Thinking, being ultimately an evaluation of the method itself. RESUMO Este artigo aborda o processo criado para indicadores-chave de performance na Mentoria em Design Thinking para startups no Programa de Economia Cria-tiva criado pela Samsung. Em quase dois anos, mais de vinte Startups foram avaliadas utilizando essa metodologia, a qual permitiu identificar as evoluções individuais em cada etapa do processo de mentoria e fase do Processo de Design Thinking. A avaliação dos indicadores ganhou refinamentos ao longo desta trajetória, permitindo ser aplicado em diferentes segmentos de atua-ção de startups, estágios de maturidade do produto e modelo de negócios. O processo tem como propósito avaliar a evolução das startups a partir da apli-cação da metodologia de Design Thinking, sendo em última instância uma avaliação do método em si. 3

Design Thinking as a Framework for the Design of a Sustainable Waste Sterilization System: The Case of Piedmont Region, Italy

“…DT consists of a collection of standard methods in engineering design [24], but unlike other methodologies from innovation management, it involves the activities of both designers and engineers [25]. Features such as problem framing, user focus, visualization, experimentation, and iteration allow DT to be an appropriate method for solving complex problems in engineering, such as creating new (or improved) products, services, processes, or technologies), obtaining environmental and social benefits in addition to economic profits [26].…”

Understanding Design Thinking as an Innovative Approach in Engineers in Society Course from Civil Engineering Student’s Perceptions

“…Based on the presentation of the prototype, the community was encouraged to ask questions or provide feedback to test the product or try out the solutions described in the testing stage. Since users can validate concepts that have been visualized in prototype form, the goal here is to get feedback during the testing stage [12]. User feedback from experiments with prototypes is important as an assimilation process in making sense of the proposed solution, data, and observations coming from the design environment [18].…”

“…Finally, they engaged the community to test-drive, operate, or use the final or finished product, system, process, model, or service provided. On the other hand, inviting other stakeholders outside the community to brainstorm or test solutions with actual users indicates the endeavour to create collaboration [12]. As with prototyping, early testing can often provide valuable feedback to improve future designs [20].…”

“…A previous study recommended that future work should focus on better understanding unique applications of design thinking within engineering course design and methods that might to support more designedly behaviours among engineering educators [11]. Therefore, engineering educators need a better understand of the nature of SULAM and DT to effectively apply them as pedagogical strategies for engineering courses which are heavily problem based [12]. In this study, a final year engineering course involving 462 students was selected as a case study on the use of SULAM and DT approaches based on community projects.…”

Bringing the Entrepreneurial Mindset into Mining Engineering Education

“…With funding from SAP founder Hasso Plattner, they set up the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, now widely known as the "d.school." The approach has proven itself through the high rate of spin-offs from the d.school as well as through its commercial success resulting in adaptation by companies and institutions around the world [29].…”