Course Overview:
Design Thinking Training Course introduces participants to the human-centered, iterative problem-solving methodology used by leading innovators and organizations worldwide. This course guides participants through the five phases of Design Thinking—Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—while emphasizing collaboration, creativity, and user insight. With real-world application at its core, the course leverages current trends such as co-creation, agile innovation, digital prototyping, and inclusive design to equip participants to solve complex problems creatively and effectively.
Course Duration:
5 Days
Target Audience:
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Product and service designers
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Project managers and innovation leads
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Entrepreneurs and startup teams
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Development workers and social innovators
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Educators, HR professionals, and public service designers
Personal Impact:
Participants will:
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Cultivate creative confidence and collaborative problem-solving skills
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Learn how to design solutions that truly meet user needs
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Improve their ability to frame challenges and test ideas rapidly
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Gain practical experience using modern innovation tools
Organizational Impact:
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Foster a culture of innovation and user-centered thinking
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Enhance team collaboration across departments
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Speed up the innovation cycle and reduce wasted resources
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Improve the design of products, services, and systems based on real user feedback
Course Level:
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Understand and apply the full Design Thinking process
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Conduct effective user research and empathize with target audiences
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Reframe problems into actionable design challenges
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Generate and prioritize creative ideas
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Develop low-fidelity prototypes and test them iteratively
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Use feedback to refine solutions quickly and cost-effectively
Course Outline:
Module 1: Empathize – Understanding Users Deeply
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Introduction to Design Thinking and its applications
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Conducting user research: interviews, observations, empathy maps
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Identifying user needs, behaviors, and pain points
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Case Study/Project: Interview real users and create empathy maps
Module 2: Define – Framing the Right Problem
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Synthesizing insights from user research
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Creating user personas and journey maps
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Crafting problem statements and "How Might We..." questions
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Case Study/Project: Define a design challenge based on real user needs
Module 3: Ideate – Generating Innovative Solutions
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Brainstorming techniques (e.g., SCAMPER, Crazy 8s, Mind Mapping)
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Divergent and convergent thinking
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Selecting promising ideas using prioritization matrices
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Case Study/Project: Facilitate an ideation session and shortlist solution concepts
Module 4: Prototype – Bringing Ideas to Life
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Rapid prototyping techniques (paper, digital, role-play, mock-ups)
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Tools for visualizing ideas (e.g., Figma, Miro, Canva)
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Importance of "failing fast" and learning early
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Case Study/Project: Build low-fidelity prototypes for two key ideas
Module 5: Test – Gathering Feedback and Iterating
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Designing feedback sessions with users and stakeholders
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Learning from failures and unexpected insights
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Iterating and refining based on evidence
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Capstone Project: Test prototypes, gather feedback, and present a refined final solution
Related Courses
Course Administration Details:
Methodology
These instructor-led training sessions are delivered using a blended learning approach and include presentations, guided practical exercises, web-based tutorials, and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience as professionals and trainers in these fields. All facilitation and course materials are offered in English. Participants should be reasonably proficient in the language.
Accreditation
Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued an Indepth Research Institute (IRES) certificate certified by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
Training Venue
The training will be held at IRES Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and lunch. All participants will additionally cater to their travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
Accommodation and Airport Transfer
Accommodation and Airport Transfer are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training Officer.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +254715 077 817
Tailor-Made
This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our IRES Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +254715 077 817
Payment
Payment should be transferred to the IRES account through a bank on or before the start of the course. Send proof of payment to [email protected]
Click here to register for this course.
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