Design Thinking Innovation Lead

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Design Thinking Innovation Lead. A Design Thinking Innovation Lead coaches' teams to apply a design thinking approach and methodologies to understand and address complex challenges to create innovative solutions for problem solving and addressing needs. They guide teams to and immerse themselves in the environment and context of the problem or need and guide teams to approach it from multiple perspectives and collaboratively apply analysis and synthesis of data from multiple sources in a coherent way and in a manner that is relevant to solution. A qualified learner will be able to: • Lead teams to conduct applied ethnographic research and immerse self in the environment and context to augment engagement and empathy with stakeholders and to conduct problem analysis. • Be a conduit for and lead teams to understand problems and achieve the creation of innovative solutions using design thinking methodologies. • Apply the design thinking process and methodology to stimulate creativity and innovation for the design and creation of innovative solutions to solve a problem.

Design thinking is an iterative process that diverse teams use to understand users as well as problems, to challenge assumptions, redefine problems, create innovative solutions, test those solutions with various stakeholders and to subsequently develop implementation strategies. It involves various phases and is most useful to tackle problems that are ill-defined or unknown. The 4IR is premised on exponential changes that were brought about by the constant evolution of digital technology. Digital transformation is changing the way we live and work, which influences business practices and the world we live in. In today's world, technological capabilities are constantly improving and to stay relevant, the workforce must be upskilled continuously for organisations to be agile and innovative as they integrate these digital technologies into their business practices. To stay competitive in any market, having an innovation strategy is a necessity. The adoption of digital technologies is a complex challenge for business - the digital world shifts rapidly and unpredictably. Transforming can present a challenge and leave many unsure of how to proceed. Design thinking has been proven to be the best approach to tackling complex challenges. Using design thinking to drive an organisation's digital transformation helps tackle complex problems by using a people-centred, creative, hands-on approach to interact with consumers and suppliers to understand challenges and innovate solutions. Today, data provide the information that initiates the design thinking process. People with design thinking skills are needed and there is a growing demand as businesses constantly evolve into the digital space. Through demonstrating innovation leadership, the Design Thinking Innovation Lead can direct teams towards innovative solutions to complex problems and establish a culture in an organisation that will embrace the changes brought by digitalisation. A recent leadership study on digital transformation by Dell unveils that most organisations are unprepared: • 45% fear becoming obsolete in 3-5 years. • 48% are unaware of what their industry will look like in 3 years. • only 7% are classified as Digital Leaders. This illustrates the need to enable the workforce and businesses to operate in the digital environment and that the ability to do so will have a positive economic and social impact. By proactively adjusting and upskilling, organisations can leverage digital technology to successfully participate in the local and global economy. There is currently a registered qualification on the NQF, namely the Higher Certificate in Design Thinking, which was analysed and was found not to be like the Occupational Certificate: Design Thinking Innovation Lead because the qualification Higher Certificate focus on creative arts. Furthermore, the registration end-date is 2021-06-30 and it is a provider specific qualification registered within the HEQSF. The essential embedded knowledge of the Higher Certificate in Design Thinking seems to be only10% similar. Benefits to economy: This qualification affords organisations (such as Government, Public and Private Entities, Education and NGOs) to scale design thinking in their quest to adopt and stay abreast with the fast-changing world fuelled by 4IR. Various industries, such as media, information, communication, advertising, health, education and electronics, augmented reality, animation, digital design and education technology (EdTech) will benefit from employing design thinking methodologies to develop more sustainable practices, processes and organisational culture and to create innovative solutions to problems. Visual communication requires design thinking, including user experience across various platforms. Benefits to society: Design thinking addresses the needs of the people who will consume a product or service and the infrastructure that enables it. Through the application of human centred methodologies, Design Thinking Innovation Leads help organisations to design experiences that are truly centred around their customers' latent and unconscious needs. With empathy as one of the core principles for innovation, human centred design thinking enables the organisation to continuously sense, detect and build for the future while responding to customer needs quicker than they can change. Design thinking principles enable the design of digital learning solutions to provide access to quality education for all learners irrespective of economic or demographic circumstances, e.g., current education challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Benefits to the Sector: The ICT sector will benefit from integrating design thinking skills into, for example, the various 4IR developed qualifications including artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, robotic process automation (RPA), quality test automation, e-waste management, cyber security, and data science. Typical learners include school leavers, qualified learners from TVET colleges and other learning institutions, those currently employed without formal recognition of competencies, those who want to upskill themselves for future challenges or who want to make a career change and any unemployed person. No professional registration or licencing is expected for Design Thinking Innovation Leads to find employment in the sector. Design Thinking Innovation Leads can become Design Thinking Champions, Design Thinking Practitioners, Design Thinking Innovation Specialists, Design Thinking Facilitators, Design and Innovation Coaches in public, private, small enterprises, and communities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. RPL for Access to the Qualification • Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by an accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 3 qualification.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the approach, principles and methodologies of design thinking for innovation.
• Be a conduit for and lead teams to achieve the creation of innovative solutions using design thinking methodologies.
• Apply the design thinking process and methodology to stimulate creativity and innovation when designing an innovative solution.
• Conduct applied ethnographic research to better understand the problem and to foster engagement with stakeholders.
• Communicate at different levels using appropriate appealing methods to present ideas.