10 Design Tools Every Innovation Leader Needs to Know

10

Design
Tools

every innovation leader needs to know

There are tons of methodologies and frameworks to lead innovation.

These frameworks are valuable for abstracting problems that have already been solved and provide guidance for teams.

But, at the core, all these frameworks use basic design techniques.

Learning basic design skills will help you avoid becoming dependent on any specific methodology, and instead, leverage the best of each!

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I had the chance to test and use many design tools throughout my career.

From core tools commonly found in many design thinking processes to accelerators used in service design.

I've selected 10 of my favorite tools so you can also apply them to your projects!

Whether you are a...

Corporate leader in digital transformation Product leader managing innovation Entrepreneur starting your own company

...these tools will help you connect with customers, ideate, and ultimately create better solutions.

Beware!

I want you to understand that these are only tools. They don't magically solve any problem. None of these tools have that power.

You should adapt them to your reality and context. Test and blend them to your needs.

This combination makes these tools extremely valuable!

Let's go! 🚀

Tool 01

Desk Research

A time-boxed research method to consolidate context information from multiple sources.

Common applications:

By consolidating unstructured data about the topic or customer you are trying to understand, you can leverage this information later to derive insights. Create a knowledge repository from books, videos, articles, or directly from the internet. Time-box it to make it more efficient.

Understanding the problem

Learn more: uxpin.com/studio/blog/desk-research

Tool 02

In-depth Interviews

Conversations with customers to map needs, context, and behaviors.

Common applications:

Quantitative and qualitative data from customers are key to mapping pain points and opportunities. An in-depth interview is a great tool to dive into the nuances that sometimes a simple survey can't map.

Understanding the problem

Learn more: thisisservicedesigndoing.com

Tool 03

Service Blueprints

A process map of a service mapping the key front-stage and back-stage touchpoints of the journey.

Common applications:

I've adapted this tool in many projects. It is not only valuable for mapping all interactions and backend systems but also serves as a great communication tool with customers and stakeholders.

Understanding the problem Ideation

Learn more: servicedesigntools.org

Tool 04

Customer Journey Maps

Maps of the different stages and actions of a customer during a process and the key interactions with your product or service.

Common applications:

Similar to Service Blueprint, Customer Journeys are very versatile tools, serving as communication frameworks and knowledge repositories for the entire team.

All phases — ideation to implementation

Learn more: cesarrg.com

Tool 05

Shadowing

A technique that leverages observation as a way for understanding the customer journey. You act as a customer, following the steps and recording evidence of your findings.

Common applications:

This is a great tool for creating empathy. Shadowing is commonly used early in the design journey, but you can leverage this tool whenever you want to gather more evidence of an existing or new journey.

Problem understanding Ideation Validation

Learn more: interaction-design.org

Tool 06

Storyboards

Images representing the sequence of a process. They serve as illustrations of the customer, his context, and environment.

Common applications:

You might have seen this technique in animation movies. It is a great way to visualize a journey, create empathy with the customer, and identify opportunities.

Ideation Validation

Learn more: nngroup.com

Tool 07

CSD Matrix

This tool can be used across the team to refine the design challenge by mapping the knowns and unknowns. The matrix helps provide focus for the research phases and can become a knowledge repository throughout the process.

Common applications:

I have the privilege to know the inventor of this tool! You can apply this tool in the early stages of a project to provide clarity on the certainties (C), assumptions (S), and doubts (D), and then work to clarify them.

All phases — ideation to implementation

Learn more: cesarrg.com

Tool 08

Mental Models

Mental models represent our beliefs. This tool is a systematic way of mapping customers' mental models.

Common applications:

Mental models can help you gather new perspectives from your customers and understand their intentions behind actions. This can become a strong tool to dive deep in the "why".

Understanding the problem Ideation

Learn more: cesarrg.com/mental-models

Tool 09

Time Machine

Our history hides many insights. This tool helps evaluate a topic from the lens of past, current, and future scenarios.

Common applications:

You can combine this tool with your desk research to bring additional context on the evolution of a topic, behavior, or domain over time. Research how we solved a problem in the past, what are the existing solutions, and what the are trending ideas. Use this information to identify patterns.

Understanding the problem Ideation

Learn more: cesarrg.com/time-machine · theservicestartup.com

Tool 10

F-E-P Matrix

A matrix to segregate features across Functional (F), Excitement (E), and Performance (P) categories.

Common applications:

This is a great tool for feature prioritization. Ensure you are covering the core needs of your customers before providing the "wow" features. This matrix helps you organize the features across the domains based on the priorities.

Ideation Implementation

Learn more: cesarrg.com · theservicestartup.com

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