Towards a DT mindset tool evaluation: factors identification from theory and practice

Several studies identify the Design Thinking mindset as the crucial aspect of the Design Thinking implementation in organisations. However, it is not clear how to measure the DT mindset in organisations, and its successful implementation. This paper aims at contributing at the development of a multidimensional scale of a Design Thinking mindset. This research in its first phase performs a structured literature review to identify what key elements define a Design Thinking mindset. We identified 40 characteristics clustered in 9 groups. The second phase of research identifies validated scales that could overlap with those groups and be used to measure them. Out of 9 factors, we managed to cover 5 factors with validated scales. A double panel of experts tested the validity of the survey: a first panel of 4 Design thinking experts and a second panel of 14 practitioners of different experiences of DT implementation. Results identify what elements of DT mindset should be measured, what domains (factors) could be measured with validated scales (from literature) and what domains will require ad-hoc development of new items from future research.