“The trick is to prove this different way of thinking without offending the existing population.”
David Kelley, founder of IDEO & the Stanford d.school

Learning how to implement design thinking starts with understanding that it’s more than a creative process—it’s a proven framework for solving complex business challenges through empathy, experimentation, and iteration. Today, the design thinking methodology in organizations is recognized as a reliable, human-centered approach to driving innovation and growth. Yet, even as it becomes essential to modern problem-solving, many teams still face resistance when introducing design thinking in the workplace or trying to bring startup thinking into a corporate environment. Shifting long-held traditions and gaining leadership buy-in can be difficult, but with the right mindset and strategy, you can drive lasting change and unlock new value across your organization.

In this episode of our Creative Confidence Series podcast, David Kelley, founder of IDEO and the Stanford d.school, shares tips for bringing design thinking into your workplace.

How Is Design Thinking Implemented?

Design thinking is implemented through a human-centered, iterative process that helps teams solve complex problems creatively and collaboratively. The stages typically include:

• Empathize: Understand your users by observing, interviewing, and immersing yourself in their experiences to uncover real needs.

• Define: Synthesize your research to clearly articulate the core problem or opportunity to address.

• Ideate: Brainstorm a wide range of creative ideas and potential solutions without judgment or limitations.

• Prototype: Build simple, low-cost models or mockups to explore how your ideas might work in practice.

• Test: Share prototypes with users, gather feedback, and refine solutions based on what you learn.

• Implement: Turn the validated solution into a real product, service, or process that can be launched and scaled across your organization.

Each stage builds on the previous one, helping teams stay user-focused and adaptable as they move from insights to action. Let's review the top 6 tips for how to implement design thinking below.

1. Start small

“If you want to be successful, first be successful.” This piece of advice is David’s way of saying that leadership is unlikely to buy into a new idea without some initial evidence that it will work. Find a way to use the design thinking process to result in success on a smaller project with less risk, like planning your company holiday party.

2. Double deliver

Whatever project you’re working on, do double delivery. “Do it the way you’re supposed to,” David says, “but also try design thinking.” You’ll be able to meet your leader’s expectations for the type of work they wanted to be done and also show the value of design thinking. This is a good way to begin building stories of success and proof points.

3. Show the upside without offending

It’s hard to change social norms or behavior in any situation. The trick is finding a way to prove the value in a different way of thinking without offending the current way of doing things. David encountered this challenge when starting the d.school at Stanford. His approach to teaching design thinking was radically different, so he made sure not to take resources away from existing programs or threaten established faculty.

Find ways to make your comments additive, not negative. Figure out what companies your leadership admires and share articles highlighting their use of design thinking.

4. Find the non-obvious need

Often people go directly to problem-solving and searching for a solution. When a problem feels huge or hopeless, try searching for a non-obvious need instead. Ask questions, experiment, and look for the hidden benefits of a situation until you uncover a true need. That’s when you can begin to work toward a solution.

5. Speak to the benefits 

To earn buy-in from your team or company, you have to be able to speak to the value of design thinking. Get comfortable with speaking about it and why it’s needed—because today’s problems are extremely complex. David defines design thinking as “a methodology and a mindset that allows you to routinely innovate in a way that’s meaningful to the people you're trying to serve.” 

6. Use it to inspire 

For people who aren’t in traditionally creative roles, design thinking may be most valuable for the way it connects you back to the people you’re working to help. When you ask an engineer, for example, why they do what they do, eventually it comes back to the people. “Somewhere along the line there’s a higher purpose,” David says. The opportunity for your team to connect with real customers and see how their work is directly benefiting people is the best kind of inspiration.

Listen to more tips from David Kelley on advancing your design thinking practice.

Where to Buy Design Thinking Resources

Whether you’re just getting started or deepening your practice, there are many trusted places to buy design thinking resources and continue building your skills. From foundational books to expert-led online courses, these materials can help you apply human-centered methods in your workplace or organization.

Recommended Books on Design Thinking

• The Art of Innovation by Tom Kelley and Jonathan Littman — A classic from IDEO that explores how to harness creativity and design thinking to build innovative products and cultures.

• Change by Design by Tim Brown — Written by Tim Brown, Chair and former CEO of IDEO, this foundational book explores how design thinking transforms organizations and fuels innovation by putting human needs at the center of problem-solving.

• Creative Confidence by Tom Kelley and David Kelley — A practical guide to unlocking creativity and human-centered problem-solving in any role.

Online Courses and Workshops

• Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate (IDEO U) — Learn the core principles of design thinking and earn a recognized certification.

• From Ideas to Action (IDEO U) — Turn insights into tangible prototypes and apply creative problem-solving at work.

• Prototyping with AI (IDEO U) — Explore how artificial intelligence enhances the prototyping process and accelerates innovation.

• Designing Strategy (IDEO U) – You’ll learn a repeatable, human-centered strategy process that helps you identify key organizational challenges, generate and test strategic possibilities, and confidently take action to turn insight into impact.

Interested in deepening your design thinking practice and increasing the impact you have at work? Check out our Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate program.

Frequently Asked Questions about Design Thinking Implementations

What Is Implementation in Design Thinking?

Implementation in design thinking refers to turning tested ideas into real-world solutions that can be launched, scaled, or integrated within an organization. It’s the phase where insights from prototyping become actionable plans — involving coordination across design, business, and technical teams. Effective implementation ensures that the final solution stays true to user needs while aligning with operational and strategic goals.

How Does Design Thinking Help an Organization?

Design thinking helps organizations foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and customer empathy. It enables teams to solve complex problems creatively by focusing on real user needs rather than assumptions. Through rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration, organizations can reduce risk, uncover new opportunities, and design solutions that are both effective and human-centered. The result is improved products, stronger team alignment, and a more agile, adaptable business capable of driving continuous growth and innovation.