Good Solutions and Design Thinking
Before you begin any process, it is helpful to know what your goals are. In design thinking, these characteristics of a good solution apply, no matter what your particular situation or set of users. A good solution:
Has a purpose: You always start with a problem that needs solving and you arrive at the solution using the design thinking process. You are not using design thinking to figure out who may benefit from solution you already have. In other words, design thinking isn’t meant to work backward from solution to problem.
Is useful: The solution fulfills its intended purpose.
Is understandable: A good solution should be easy to understand or learn. Or, the work to learn the solution should be worth the effort.
Is honest: A good solution does not promise more than it provides.
Is sustainable: A good solution does not adversely affect the environment, nor does it require resources (whether material or personnel) in a way that can’t be maintained over time.
Is long-lasting: Make sure the work you put into the design thinking process is worth it. Provide a solution that does not break often or deteriorate quickly.
Fits to the context: A good solution makes sense for the location it is used in, the people who use it, and the function it was meant to perform.
Is compelling: It should resonate with the user by making them feel confident when they use it. They should want to use your solution.
Is simple: The solution should include only those elements necessary for fulfilling the rest of the criteria in this list.
A good solution must take into account the complexity of humans and their practical and emotional responses (their needs and their wants). Both aspects must be considered during all stages of the design thinking process.
