Self-Reflection Through Design Thinking: Weekly Activities

Weekly Activities

Self-reflection is one of the most important tools that are used by the students in this modern day scenario. This is because self-analysis helps in making detailed and informative critical analyses of the weaknesses and the strengths present within each and every individual. This is also very useful as it helps the students to recognize the areas of improvement and the areas of their strength through the course of pursuing their subjects. This is indeed very important for the students as it will help them to grow and develop in their future lives. This helps in making the students realize about many of the unknown things about themselves. They might not be aware of a certain kind of quality or errors present within them.

It is only after going through the self-analysis test that they realize about the areas where they need to improve. I have also taken many of the class activities that have immensely helped me to improve in myself knowledge. It is through the tests that I have come to know regarding the places that I need to improve. If I want to become a successful employee in the future, then I need to develop many useful traits within me. One of the most important methods of self-analysis is to teach the students about design thinking. This helps to develop the thinking capacity of the students (Liedtka, Salzman & Azer 2017). I am thankful to my teachers that they have assigned us within different interesting activities. There were about different activities that were to be completed within the span of 8 weeks. This has been very helpful for me in understanding my traits in a better, detailed and prominent way.

Weekly blogs

I have been able to interact with my friend when they were working as my team (Appendix figure 1). It has given me a very knowledgeable and good experience. I have been part of this self-reflective group activity from the third week onwards. I was late for joining in this class activity so I started from the moodle week 3 materials. 

Week3

This module was mainly of the design thinking (Mentzer, Becker & Sutton, 2015). I think that this is one of the most important aspects that are needed by each and every individual to become successful l in life. I have come to know about the convergent and the divergent thinking. I have realized that I suffer from the decision making skill. So, this week has really been very helpful for me as I came to know about the divergent and the convergent thinking. I will be able to reach the conclusion of any particular aspect after completely analyzing them.

Week 3

I have always made the mistake of making a wrong decision to the matters that came in front of me. I used to reach the conclusion very instantly without thinking much. However, after this weekly activity, I will be able to use the divergent style of thinking as well.

This will help me to think about all the possible conclusions or the solutions of one particular matter and then select the one that is feasible for that particular problem. This has taught me to develop a clear vision of thinking about each and every matter in a detailed manner. I have also come to know about the methods of spiral learning and the method of using the triple loop. I have learned that I need to keep an open mind and gather many different opinions and different views before reaching any particular conclusion. I have come to know that in order to become a successful leader or a manager in future I need to come out of my comfort zone and become versatile. I have to keep on updating myself and get rid of my closed and introvert nature.

Week 4

This week has been very useful for me as I came to know about the different methods of design thinking. I think that this will surely be very helpful for all my future endeavors. This was also a group activity that has really helped me to be much more patient. I have to become much more organized and patient in the future. If I get appointed as a leader in the future, then I have to take care of so many different people under my jurisdiction. So, it is my duty to make sure that I am able to reach the solutions to this problem from a proper and clear viewpoint. It is in this week that I learned about the different methods of design thinking. I learned about the Empathize, Define and Ideate methods of reaching the solution of one particular aspect.

It is through these pictures that I came to learn about the different aspects of solving a problem. I have learned that one of the most important things is to analyze the problem and then try to reach the solution. So, I have to keep this positive attitude towards each and every problem that will arise in my professional life. I have also been part of a workshop in this 4^th week where I learned that we can find a proper solution only after analyzing a problem properly. Earlier this was a major p0roboem that I faced. As per the opinion of (Hesse et al., 2015),

Week 4

the problem needs to be observed first before reaching the solution. However, I always used to rush to the solutions in order to finish up the work within the given time period. This was also perhaps because of my panicking and nervous nature that I used to jump at the conclusions but I will have to work on them and make sure that I understand the problem first.

Week 5

The 5^th week was also one of the most important activities that I came across. Brainstorming is one of the key factors for succeeding in life. The activity was mainly hinted at making initiating creative thoughts within us. The activity required the students to carry on the activity of brainstorming and generate new fresh ideas. There were some circles around 30 of them and we were asked to bring some new ideas from our minds. The main motif of this week activity was to initiate the innovativeness and the power of thinking among us. However, in the beginning, I was finding it tough to gather fresh ideas. I thought that I would write the calendar dates in the circles but it was a wrong approach.

My professor explained that I need to analyze and go into the deeper layers of my imagination. I will have to become much more dynamic and innovative. So, I learned that I have to bring out fresh innovative ideas and transform the circles into some figures that had meaning. So, at the end of the session, I could draw meaningful figures out of those circles. I have made up my mind that I will take part in all the brainstorming activities that will be conducted in the future. This will help me to make sure to gain a fresh, new and innovative thinking style.

Week 6

Week six was the activity about of design thinking. It is one of the most innovative methods of generating ideas by the managers in the top MNCs and the other corporate firms. This is one of the important tools used in value chain analysis and mind mapping as well.  I was asked to link all the dots by using 4 straight lines without lifting the pen. I was actually finding it difficult. This was because I was becoming very restless and nervous at the same time. On the other hand, I knew that there is a time constraint and I need to finish the work within the given time. I was really finding this job to be very tough (Watson, 2015). One of the classmates helped me by explaining the entire concept.

Week 5

I realized the importance of team bonding as well. It was only because of the help that was rendered by my classmate that I came to know about the methods of completing the given task. So, I learned that I need to be much more patient. I also got this feedback from my classmate that I was very quick in learning the method that he taught me. I was a quick learner but at the same time, I need to be much more patient and careful.

Though I did some mistakes in this activity I gathered some very useful lessons for grooming my personality and my problem-solving skills. Though I joined all the points I did that by using 5 lines instead of 4. I realized that I need to be many patients, attentive and observant while carrying out these activities. I have to develop the quality of thinking out of the box and make myself much more innovative. I will try to be part of all the design thinking and mind mapping activities. I will try to be much more patient and observant in the future.

Week 8

Week 8 activity was about the prototype testing. I learned about the method and the usage of prototype testing. I learned that after the identification of any particular problem, the best possible solution is obtained. It is after this stage that we need to test the solution onto some other areas in order to see the effectiveness and the areas of improvement of that solution (Liedtka, 2015). So, this was a group activity and the topic was to reduce the power usage in all the industries through the usage of a light dimmer sensor (Appendix figure 3). I came to know about the important aspects of working in a group.

There were many differences among the opinions of all the team members and each one of them was trying to prove their ideas to be the best. The best ideas were selected and it was really a good opportunity for me as I could learn many important things. I also had a good feeling when I could suggest some new and innovative ideas after going through the barnstorming session. I will try to be part of the entire prototype testing sessions that take place. This will help me to develop the quality of brainstorming and find some very unique ideas. This will be one of the important platforms that will help me to achieve success in the future.

Week 9

Week 9 was to learn about reviewing a product by the different innovative techniques of launching innovation. I came to know about the concept development method. This method can be improved by means of visual representations like messages’ also learned about the rapid prototype concept model that helps in testing the product before it is released to be launched in the market. Visualization is one of the most important aspects as it helps in understanding the actual need of a product among the customers (Appendix figure 2). It is only then that we can find out methods to solve them. I will try to implement all these theories in my daily life so that I can develop my ability in the field of design thinking.

Personal Development Plan (STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES)

STRENGTHS	OPPORTUNITIES
One of my major strengths my ability to learn things quickly. I want to learn much new and innovative method of analyzing and solving the problems. I am a team player. I also consider myself a good listener. I can listen to the ideas and opinions of my team members and then suggest my idea.	I will try to be a part of all the design thinking workshops that are carried on. This will help me to develop the idea of mind mapping, brainstorming, and design thinking in the best way possible.
WEAKNESSES	RESULTS
I think that one of the greatest weakness is my lack of innovativeness and time  Management skills. I have to work on them so that I get a bright professional career in the future.	I want to see myself as a successful manager in the future. In order to do that I have to develop a positive approach towards facing each problem.

Personal Development Plan

What do I want to learn?	What do I have to do?	What support and resources will I need?	How will I measure my success?
I want to develop a divergent thinking style that will help me to understand different takes on a single problem.	I will be attending the different workshops that will be conducted in the future.  This will help me to understand the methods of brainstorming and design thinking.	I will be using the resources’ like the workshop materials, class notes, and other such study materials.	I will be using the peer feedback and the comments of the teachers for measuring my success.
I want to learn the prototype testing	I will have to be more patient and cooperate with my colleagues and my teachers in order to learn the different prototype testing methods	The workshop materials and the reports forwarded by the teachers.	I will take feedback from my team members.
I will try to develop my design thinking ability.	In order to do this, I have to be much more attentive and think out of the box.	I will keep a note of whatever has been taught in the workshop activities. I will also take part in many of the brainstorming activities in future.	I will get to know this by getting the feedback and reports from my classmates and the professors as well.

Action Plan

Short-term goals (2 months)

I want to develop the patience level within myself. I have to be much more attentive and observant in the class lectures and the workshops that are taking place. I have also got this feedback from my peers that though I am a patient listener and a quick learner I have to work on my attentiveness. I often become nervous and inattentive. So I will try to become much more organized and attentive in all the upcoming endeavours.

Medium Term Goals (2 months)

I will try to work over the design thinking. I have learned that in order to be successful in life I have to get out of my comfort zone and make sure that I am being able to think out of the box. For doing this, I will be taking part in many group activities and many of the mind mapping activities as well.

Long Term Goals (2months) I will try to work on team spirit and make sure that I am being able to participate in all the group activities that are conducted in my university. I will also try to develop my time management skills. I have to organize myself in such a way that I can manage all my works within the given amount of time. I will have to undertake many meditation classes that will help me to gather many innovative ideas during the brain storming sessions or the mind mapping sessions.

Conclusion

So, it can be concluded that design thinking is one of the most essential tools that is needed in the modern day scenario. In order to become successful in life, it is essential to go out of the comfort zone and fond out many innovative ideas. I have also realized that in order to reach the right solution I have to carry out the process of prototype testing.  However before trying out all the possible solutions I need to understand the question thoroughly. I will also be using the divergent method of thinking. This will help me to think about any particular issue from a wide range of thinking arena.

References

Hesse, F., Care, E., Buder, J., Sassenberg, K., & Griffin, P. (2015). A framework for teachable collaborative problem solving skills. In Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills (pp. 37-56). Springer, Dordrecht.

Liedtka, J. (2015). Perspective: Linking design thinking with innovation outcomes through cognitive bias reduction. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 32(6), 925-938.

Liedtka, J., Salzman, R., & Azer, D. (2017). Design thinking for the greater good: Innovation in the social sector. Columbia University Press.

Mentzer, N., Becker, K., & Sutton, M. (2015). Engineering design thinking: High school students’ performance and knowledge. Journal of Engineering Education, 104(4), 417-432.

Watson, A. D. (2015). Design thinking for life. Art Education, 68(3), 12-18.