Kelly, a key proponent of design thinking as well as the founder of IDEO, an innovation consulting firm declared that, design thinking is a “methodology that enables us to come up with a solution that nobody has before” (Tischler, 2009). Kelly did not go further to provide empirical data to back up this claim. Similarly, Brown and Wyatt, (2010) posited that “businesses are embracing design thinking because it helps them to create products and services that are innovative and effective.” They also did not go further to provide data to prove that those innovation could not have taken place through other methods.

To further explore the nature and practice of design thinking, this thesis is based on a study that engages two groups of participants to test the efficacy of design thinking as an innovation tool. The first group of participants will be required to solve a problem using any innovation method other than design thinking, while the second group will use design thinking methodology to solve the same problem.

Conducting this research is important for three reasons. First, it will provide an opportunity to investigate the affect of using design thinking as an innovation tool vis-à-vis other existing methods. Second, the research will provide data on where design thinking excels and where it falls short. Third, the research will contribute to the body of knowledge available on the impact of design thinking.

At the completion of this project, we will have a better understanding of what differentiates design thinking from other innovation methods. Publications from the study will also enrich the academic literature available on design thinking. Results from the study will also be made available to researchers who wish to conduct further studies.