DESIGN THINKING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN DESIGN EDUCATION

Design Thinking is a human-centred innovation process, with an emphasis on deep understanding of consumers, holistically, integratively, creatively, and awe-inspiring. Design Thinking methods and techniques represents how the theory will be operationalized by following the process steps. These methods and techniques can assist in the project management, especially in the initial phase of inspiration and ideation. Another strategy that can collaborate in project management is agile management, mainly in the execution phase of a project. Agile management prioritizes individuals, interactions between them, customers, appropriate software to operate, and prompt response to changes. Thus, this study aims to propose a model to integrate design thinking and project management methods and techniques and to analyze students’ projects and interactions to verify the applicability of these in ergonomic project management. For the development of the method, it was used the design science methodology, in four main steps called: Research Clarification, Descriptive Study I, Prescriptive Study, and Descriptive Study II. From the use of tools and techniques of design thinking in a project management exercise for students of two classes, it was revealed that the tools used facilitated the project development, helping from the search and organization of information until the deadline established for the delivery of the project.