Now that we’ve looked at the key principles of design thinking in HR, let’s take a look at the different stages of a design thinking framework and how we apply these principles. There are five key stages in the design thinking in HR processes:

1. Empathize

In the initial phase of the design thinking process, it is crucial to engage in impartial observation, devoid of any preconceived judgments. Gather valuable insights by actively seeking feedback from your workforce, deploying surveys, conducting insightful interviews, and facilitating observation sessions. Cultivate a deep sense of empathy to gain a comprehensive understanding of your HR processes from the perspective of your employees. Direct your attention towards the human aspect of the situation, and you might discover unexpected revelations by momentarily setting aside your HR perspective. The primary objective of this stage is to vividly portray a comprehensive image of your workforce—identifying who they are, understanding the obstacles they encounter, and discerning the needs and expectations that must be addressed.

2. Define

Moving on to the subsequent stage, it entails a meticulous analysis of the data accumulated in the first stage, with the aim of distilling the feedback into a singular core issue. This crucial step serves to formulate a precise problem statement, which, in turn, becomes the guiding beacon for the subsequent phases of the process, providing a clear objective. Reflecting on the information gathered about your employees, the pivotal question emerges: What prevailing issue is consistently raised by the majority of your workforce? This inquiry prompts a focused identification of the primary concern that warrants attention and resolution in the design thinking journey.

3. Ideate

After completing the observation of your workforce and pinpointing the specific issue you aim to address, the next step involves engaging in a collaborative brainstorming session. Assemble your team and foster an environment that encourages the open sharing of ideas and diverse perspectives. Emphasize the importance of creating a safe space where participants feel free from judgment, underlining that there are no wrong answers in this creative forum. Cultivate an atmosphere of open-mindedness, urging everyone to explore new angles and think outside the conventional boundaries. Now is the opportune moment to unleash creativity, allowing imaginations to soar freely in the pursuit of innovative solutions.

4. Prototype

Having generated a diverse array of ideas and gathered an extensive range of perspectives through the brainstorming process, the subsequent phase involves the transformation of these ideas into viable solutions. Choose a select few from the list and elaborate on them, aiming to refine and identify the most optimal solution. Throughout this process, maintain a steadfast focus on the employee experience, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping the effectiveness of the proposed solutions.

The prototypes that emerge during this stage serve as tangible representations of your envisioned solutions, providing concrete entities to test on your employees. This testing phase is of utmost importance in upholding a user-centric approach, ensuring that the solutions are not only innovative but also resonate with the needs and preferences of the employees.

5. Test

The fifth stage of the process involves the pivotal step of testing the prototypes on your employees. This essential action allows you to gauge the effectiveness of your proposed solution in an authentic, real-life setting, determining whether it genuinely addresses the targeted issue. Conduct multiple testing sessions, closely observing your employees as they engage with the prototypes. During these sessions, actively seek feedback and create an environment that encourages your employees to express their honest opinions. The insights garnered from this testing phase serve as invaluable input, providing a basis for making refinements and enhancements before committing to the implementation of the final solution. This iterative approach ensures that the end result is not only functional but also resonates seamlessly with the needs and experiences of your workforce.