This paper explores the potential of design thinking in the seemingly disparate discipline of Operations Research/Management Science (OR/MS). OR/MS develops mathematical models for analysis based on quantitative logic as an answer to management or other real life problems. Design shares this concern with trying to improve current situations but approaches these problems differently, using `designerly ways of thinking’.
This paper begins by briefly introducing key problem areas within the discipline of OR/MS. It then discusses two aspects that are central to the problems experienced within the discipline, namely the theory versus practice dichotomy, and the relevance of OR/MS in the increasingly complex management environment. The following section explains design thinking characteristics, based on a selection of models found in literature written about the topic. This is followed by a conceptual exploration of the characteristics of design thinking concepts as a solution to some of the problems identified in OR/MS, and the implications for design education.
Reference:
Viljoen, NM and Van Zyl, R, 2009. Design thinking - crossing disciplinary borders. Image & Text, Vol. 15, pp 66-79
Viljoen, N., & Van Zyl, R. (2009). Design thinking - crossing disciplinary borders. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/3972
Viljoen, NM, and R Van Zyl "Design thinking - crossing disciplinary borders." (2009) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/3972
Viljoen N, Van Zyl R. Design thinking - crossing disciplinary borders. 2009; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/3972.
Copyright: 2009 Department of Visual Arts, University of Pretoria. This is the Authors version of the work, it is posted here for your personal use, and not for redistribution. The final version is published in the Image & Text: Journal of design, Vol.15, pp 66-79