This book introduces design thinking, the collaborative process by which the designer’s sensibilities and methods are employed to match people’s needs with what is technically feasible and a viable business strategy. In short, design thinking converts need into demand. It’s a human-centered approach to problem solving that helps people and organizations become more innovative and creative.

Design thinking is not just applicable to so-called creative industries or people who work in the design field. It’s an approach that has been used by organizations such as Kaiser Permanente to increase the quality of patient care by re-examining the ways that their nurses manage shift change or Kraft to rethink supply chain management. This book is for creative business leaders who seek to infuse design thinking into every level of an organization, product, or service to drive new alternatives for business and society.

Tim Brown is CEO and president of IDEO. Ranked independently among the ten most innovative companies in the world, IDEO is the innovation and design firm that contributed to such standard-setting innovations as the first mouse for Apple and the Palm V. Today, IDEO applies its human-centered approach to drive innovation and growth for the world’s leading companies as well as government, education, healthcare, and social sectors. Tim advises senior executives and boards of Fortune 100 companies and has led strategic client relationships with such companies as Microsoft, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble, and Steelcase.