Driving your product modernisation with design thinking

Think of it like writing code without any user testing; it works in theory, but the reality is often less forgiving. But what if we flipped the script? What if design was at the forefront of modernisation, driving real value from the outset? This is where Design Thinking and Human-Centred Design step in, transforming how companies approach innovation and problem-solving.

Understanding design thinking and human-centred design

Design Thinking is a broad problem-solving approach that puts the user’s needs at the centre of the process. Imagine redesigning a software product; you wouldn’t just start with coding, you’d begin by understanding the end-users, identifying their pain points and mapping out what’s missing. Design Thinking uses phases like ideation, prototyping and testing to ensure that solutions are not only innovative but also grounded in actual user needs.

Human-Centred Design goes a step further by deeply embedding the user’s perspective into every aspect of the product development cycle. Think of redesigning a project management tool - it’s not just about adding new features; it’s about enhancing usability, reducing friction and improving the overall user experience. While Design Thinking provides a framework for innovation, Human-Centred Design ensures that every solution is tailored to make users' lives easier, whether it’s for a product manager juggling tasks or a developer streamlining their workflow.

Making modernisation matter

Overlooking the importance of design and user experience is a critical misstep when modernising. Organisations frequently prioritise technical upgrades, seeing design as an aesthetic add-on rather than a strategic necessity.

This approach is not only short-sighted but also risky, as it overlooks the real drivers of user engagement and satisfaction.

Design is not just about making things look good; it's about making them work better for the people who use them.

As highlighted in “Exploring the Impact of Design Thinking in Action”, integrating design from the outset ensures that products are not just updated, but truly modernised in a way that aligns with user needs, expectations and business goals. Including design early in the process is essential because it allows for a deeper understanding of user problems, leading to solutions that can be both innovative and relevant.

When design is sidelined, the result is often a product that might be technically sound but fails to resonate with users, missing opportunities for differentiation and competitive advantage. Design Thinking and Human-Centred Design offer a path to avoid these pitfalls by embedding empathy, creativity and user feedback throughout the entire modernisation journey.

Related Insight

Why product design is critical to modern software delivery

Elevating the importance of design and user experience in software delivery

The business impact

Design thinking and human-centred approaches are crucial because they address common pitfalls, such as focusing solely on technology without considering user experience. For instance, a healthcare provider might use Design Thinking to streamline patient check-ins by first understanding the frustrations patients face, rather than simply installing new kiosks that no one feels comfortable using.

Similarly, a product team might apply Human-Centred Design to overhaul their user interface, focusing on how users interact with their software daily, rather than just following the latest design trends.

By placing people at the core, these approaches ensure that modernisation efforts are not just about implementing new features but genuinely improving and aligning with user needs. For more insights, check out ‘More Than a Feeling: Ten Design Practices to Deliver Business Value’ for more detail on this.

Conclusion

To make the most of your modernisation efforts, start by evaluating your current processes: are you involving design early enough? Engage your design teams from the outset, align your strategy with user needs and make design a core part of your innovation process.

Design Thinking and Human-Centred Design aren’t just tools - they are mindsets that fundamentally transform how products are created and modernised. By focusing on real human needs and iterative problem-solving, these approaches turn ordinary updates into meaningful changes that resonate deeply with users. If you’re in the process of product modernisation or planning to kick it off, remember: it’s not just about adopting the latest technology; it’s about reimagining the entire experience to truly connect with the people who use your products.