System Requirements for Viewing this Course

Design fixation means being locked into resolving a technical or non-technical challenge only by using approaches that have worked in similar situations rather than looking at each new situation on its own terms. While designing under control of design fixation usually produces adequate results, they lack innovation.

Many engineers value innovative solutions but design fixation unknowingly frustrates their intent. This webinar enables participants, acting individually or as teams, to recognize and avoid design fixation and instead use tools that produce innovative results.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Design fixation unwittingly hampers innovation
• Double-diamond process encourages broader and deeper thinking
• Two problem-definition tools explained with examples
• Five innovation tools illustrated with examples.
• Innovation case studies

Learning Outcomes

• Explain design fixation
• Describe one positive and one negative result of design fixation
• Apply two problem definition methods and then five whole-brain collaboration tools, all in parallel with design fixation, to stimulate individual/group innovative thinking
• Analyze a recent design effort to determine if design fixation inhibited innovative thinking

Webinar Benefits

• Recognize an oft-hidden obstacle to innovation
• Learn about the double-diamond thinking process
• Use two problem-definition tools
• Apply five techniques to generate individual and team innovative thinking
• Make better use of personnel and material resources
• Do what has never been done
• Provide more value to clients and stakeholders

Intended Audience

• CEOs/Executives
• Engineers, technologists, technicians, and support personnel in all disciplines
• Members of other professions and vocations
• Public and private sector personnel

Webinar Outline

• Design fixation
• Double-diamond
• Highly diverse teams
• Fishbone diagramming
• Mind mapping
• Borrow brilliance
• What if
• Mind mapping
• Take break
• Biomimicry
• Case studies
• Costly consequences of design fixation
• How to start now