Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector

Abstract

The emerging value of design thinking for problem solving and innovation by organizations in the social sector was signaledby Tim Brown in Change by Design (Brown & Katz, 2009), claiming design thinking is particularly useful for solving complex problems involving human needs. Now, Liedtka,Salzman, and Azer, in Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector, offer glimpses into design processes at eleven real-world organizations. These richly descriptive stories highlight impressive and creative solutions to problems in complexand uncertain environments. The authors who, like Brown, came from the business sector, articulate that challenges faced by the social sector are bigger, messier, and also more urgent, since they involve human needs