Use interdisciplinary thinking in project work.

Interdisciplinary thinking is essential in project work because it fosters innovation by combining diverse perspectives and skill sets, enabling teams to tackle complex problems more effectively.

• Moreover, it promotes holistic solutions that address multiple dimensions of an issue, leading to more sustainable and impactful outcomes.
  The best way is to form diverse teams with members from different disciplines, as this will give many and varied perspectives.

• The teams should also explore interdisciplinary research and resources, attending events from various related fields to broaden understanding.

• Finally, seek multi-disciplinary mentorship and evaluation, promoting cross-disciplinary thinking and effective communication.

Below are some examples of using interdisciplinary thinking at the different stages of a design thinking project.

Empathize:

Explore the problem from various disciplinary perspectives to gain a deeper understanding of user needs and pain points.

Example:

• Challenge:

  Consider the challenges of urban transportation from the perspectives of urban planning, environmental science, and sociology.

• Examples of interdisciplinary angles :

  Urban planning: Analyze city infrastructure and public transportation systems.

  Environmental science: Assess the impact of transportation choices on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

  Sociology: Examine the social implications of transportation, such as accessibility, affordability, and community interaction.

Define:

Leverage interdisciplinary insights to develop a comprehensive problem statement that accounts for multiple dimensions of the issue.

Example:

• Challenge: Develop a problem statement for urban transportation that incorporates insights from urban planning, environmental science, and sociology.

• Problem Statement: "How might we design an urban transportation solution that improves city infrastructure, minimizes environmental impact, and fosters social inclusion and equity for all community members?"

Ideate:

Generate ideas by combining insights, methods, or theories from different disciplines, encouraging creativity and innovation.

Example:

• Challenge: Propose urban transportation solutions that integrate principles from urban planning, environmental science, and sociology.

• Ideas:

  • Green corridors: Create pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly zones that promote active transportation and community engagement.

  • Shared mobility hubs: Develop multi-modal transit hubs that facilitate seamless connections between various transportation options, reducing emissions and increasing accessibility.

  • Inclusive pricing models: Implement tiered pricing or subsidies for public transportation to ensure affordability for all community members.

Prototype:

When developing prototypes, try to draw upon interdisciplinary knowledge to address various aspects of the design.

Example:

• Challenge: Design a prototype for a shared mobility hub that considers urban planning, environmental science, and sociology factors.

• Prototype: A shared mobility hub featuring well-planned infrastructure, bike and scooter rentals, electric vehicle charging stations, and designated pick-up/drop-off points for ride-sharing services. The hub incorporates green spaces and seating areas to encourage community interaction and offers discounted pricing for low-income users.

Testing:

Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution by gathering feedback from diverse stakeholders and considering interdisciplinary criteria.

Example:

• Challenge: Conduct user testing for the shared mobility hub prototype while considering urban planning, environmental science, and sociology factors.

• Testing Approach: Gather feedback from city planners, environmental experts, sociologists, and community members to assess the hub's impact on city infrastructure, sustainability, and social inclusion. Evaluate the results and iterate on the design to better address interdisciplinary concerns and user needs.

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