Our Design Thinking course is for anyone who wants to understand business challenges from a creative, customer-centric perspective and gain key design thinking skills.

The study of design thinking is recommended for: business analysts; customer journey managers; business service designers (including business designers and service designers); user researchers; project leaders; product owners; business engineers; business architects; business change managers and any business professional involved in transformational change projects. Everyone can learn from the design thinking practices. 

The AssistKD Design Thinking course covers the underlying principles of design thinking, bringing the strategies and techniques to life by applying them to a range of real life scenarios. Developing their design thinking skills, delegates learn how to empathise with and engage with the customer, unlock key insights, question assumptions, explore strategies and test ideas. 

Study the design thinking mindset (collaboration, customer centricity, outcome focus, creativity and experimentation); learn how to use the key design thinking practices and develop an understanding of how design thinking techniques  can be applied. 

The AssistKD Design Thinking eLearning course covers the underlying principles of design thinking. Developing their design thinking skills, delegates learn how to empathise with and engage with the customer, unlock key insights, question assumptions, explore strategies and test ideas. 

Study the design thinking mindset (collaboration, customer centricity, outcome focus, creativity and experimentation); learn how to use the key design thinking practices and develop an understanding of how design thinking techniques can be applied. 

Upon the completion of this workshop, candidates will be able to:

•    Demonstrate an understanding of the Design Thinking mindset 
•    Identify and apply core Design Thinking practices 
•    Explain the Design Council Double Diamond and Stanford d.School 5 approaches 
•    Apply divergent & convergent thinking
•    Identify and apply key Design Thinking techniques 
•    Understand the relationship between organisational culture & Design Thinking

Here's a quick guide to the topics covered on each day of the course.

Delegates attending the Design Thinking course are provided with a clear and comprehensive manual that offers a step-by-step guide through the entire course content. Each delegate attending a virtual classroom course is sent a physical copy of the manual to their home address before the course start date. An electronic version of the manual is also provided to every delegate.

Yes. During this three-day course you’ll receive all the training you need to prepare for the examination leading to the A4Q Foundation Certificate in Design Thinking. This is one of the mandatory modules for the new internationally recognised A4Q Service Designer qualification.

All delegates attending a classroom, virtual classroom or eLearning course, sit the examination (ratified by global certification body iSQI) remotely using an online proctoring service. This examination consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with a pass mark of 26/40.

The Design Thinking course forms one part of AssistKD’s Business Service Designer training programme which includes courses on Business Service Design and CX Analysis. It is one of the mandatory modules for the new internationally recognised A4Q Service Designer qualification.

Design Thinking (a three-day course)

Introduction to Design Thinking

• The nature and characteristics of Design Thinking

• The rationale for Design Thinking

• The core elements of the Design Thinking mindset

  • Collaboration

  • Customer Centricity

  • Outcome focus

  • Creativity

  • Experimentation

Fundamental Design Thinking Practices

• Empathy and perspective analysis
• Research and investigation
• Divergent and convergent thinking
• Experimentation and prototyping
• Visualisation
• Validation
• Assumption identification and testing
• Iteration and continuous learning

Design Thinking approaches

• The Design Council 3H approach

  • Head: Problem solving

  • Heart: Humanity centred

  • Hand: Practical skills

• The structure and stages of the Double Diamond approach to Design Thinking

  • Discover

  • Define

  • Develop

  • Deliver

• The structure and stages of the Stanford d.School approach to Design Thinking

  • Empathise

  • Define

  • Ideate

  • Prototype

  • Test

• Design Thinking macro and micro processes

Design Thinking techniques

• Discover

  • Service safari

  • Empathy map

• Define

  • Customer journey map

  • Problem framing

• Develop

  • Service blueprint

  • Assumption reversal

• Deliver

  • High and low fidelity prototyping

  • Feedback capture grid

  • A/B testing

• Generic Techniques

  • Brainstorming and brainwriting

  • Focus groups

  • User role and persona analysis

  • Storyboarding

Implementing Design Thinking

• The relationship between culture and Design Thinking

• The Culture Pyramid 

• Cultural aspects that enable and inhibit the use of Design Thinking

• POPIT™

This course was written by our team of training consultants, who bring their substantial experience of business analysis projects to the programme.

Watch the video below to find out more about our eLearning.

Do you have a question about our eLearning courses? Check out our FAQs section…

Yes. This course prepares participants for the examination examination leading to the A4Q Foundation Certificate in Design Thinking. This is one of the mandatory modules for the new internationally recognised A4Q Service Designer qualification.

All delegates attending a classroom, virtual classroom or eLearning course, sit the examination (ratified by global certification body iSQI) remotely using an online proctoring service. This examination consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with a pass mark of 26/40.

Check out the dedicated Service Design area of our Learning Zone for relevant articles, BA Brew podcasts and bitesize learning videos on Service Design topics, tools and techniques. Our free Introductory Learning Courses include: Introducing the POPIT Model, Managing Customer Expectations and Creative Problem Solving.

How do AssistKD’s virtual classroom courses work?

AssistKD’s virtual courses are conducted live and online in a ‘virtual’ classroom space via Microsoft Teams. 
On each day of the course, we ask delegates to log on in time for a 9am start. The courses end at 4.30pm. An hour is ring-fenced for lunch, but timings can vary.

Designed to be interactive, responsive and engaging, our virtual (live) courses are led by trainers who are experts in their fields, with real-life industry experience. 

The benefit of the virtual classroom is that delegates enjoy all the benefits of ‘in-real-time' training, but with no travel requirements or overnight stays. 

Regular comfort breaks, team exercises and break-out sessions keep delegates focused and reinforce learning. 

Can you attend virtual classroom courses from outside the UK?

Yes, however you will be issued with a digital course manual in advance of the course, not a printed manual. Online exams connected to virtual classroom courses can be taken from overseas.

When will I receive my joining instructions?

You will receive joining instructions two weeks before the start of your course. One week before the course you will receive detailed instructions on how to log on.

I am concerned about logging on, is there support available?

If you have concerns about logging on and your technology, it is best to address these prior to the day of the course. We can offer you a test call at a time that suits you. To request this please contact support@assistkd.com

I have additional needs, can they be accommodated?

Please provide us with full details of any additional needs in advance of the course so that we can work with you to accommodate them. Please contact enquiries@assistkd.com

When will I receive my course manual?

You will receive your course manual, in both printed and digital form, 1-2 weeks before the start of your course.

Can you accommodate a last-minute booking?

Yes, provided there is availability.

Do you offer discounted prices if I am taking more than one course?

Yes, please contact enquires@assistkd.com

What happens if I need to reschedule, do I have to pay twice?

If you need to reschedule, to avoid a cancellation fee please give 10 working days’ notice by contacting enquiries@assistkd.com.

Do the courses run on consecutive days?

Yes. Courses which last for more than one day are delivered on consecutive days from the start date indicated. These are on working days, during Monday to Friday.

Do you offer courses over the weekend?

Our virtual (live) classroom and face-to-face classroom courses run from Monday to Friday only. However, our eLearning courses can be studied at a time to suit you.

Where can I get sample questions or exam papers?

Each course manual includes sample questions for you to practise prior to taking your exam. These align with the syllabus and the required level of quality and should be the main source for revision.

Sample examination questions and papers which you may find free or for purchase online can be of limited value as the quality is often poor and they may not align with the syllabus.

What is the exam pass rate?

AssistKD is a specialist training company with expert trainers. Training courses which are linked to exams cover the full and most current relevant syllabuses. Our examination pass rates are market leading. Exact pass rates vary from course to course.

Is the exam included in the price?

Yes. Where there is an exam, it is included in the price.

Is the exam taken during the actual course?

No. The exam can be taken on a date and time of your choice. You will be provided with exam registration details before the start of your course. We recommend that you take the exam within two weeks of the end of your course, while the knowledge is fresh.

When will I receive my exam results and certificate?

Exams will be taken online and you will receive a provisional result upon completion. Then, approximately 24 hours after the exam this will be confirmed via email and you will be supplied with a link to download your certificate.

Is the exam taken during the actual course?

No. The exam can be taken on a date and time of your choice. You will be provided with exam registration details before the start of your course. We recommend that you take the exam within two weeks of the end of your course, while the knowledge is fresh.

When will I receive my exam results and certificate?

Exams will be taken online and you will receive a provisional result upon completion. Then, approximately 24 hours after the exam this will be confirmed via email and you will be supplied with a link to download your certificate.