Overview: Bridging IDEO Design Thinking and Transformation 2.0

Transformation 2.0 (T2.0) is Anthosa’s flexible, co-designed methodology for scaling transformation through human-centred engagement, continuous learning, and strategic alignment.

IDEO Design Thinking is a non-linear, iterative process rooted in empathy, experimentation, and desirability–feasibility–viability (DFV) balance to solve complex challenges creatively and inclusively.

In this method guide, IDEO Design Thinking is used as the core problem-solving pattern for initiatives launched in the Jumpstart, Scale, and Embed phases, while Shape and Discover follow the structured T2.0 service pattern to frame and prioritise the initiatives to begin with.

Phase 1: SHAPE

Purpose-led Alignment and Strategic Framing (T2.0 Core)

Goal:

Co-define the transformation purpose, success measures, and strategic scope across key dimensions.

Key Activities:

• Co-create a shared purpose and challenge definition.
• Facilitate workshops to align leadership across the five T2.0 dimensions:
  1. Leadership, People & Culture
  2. Business Models & Value Chains
  3. Data & Technology
  4. Teaming & Work Design
  5. Governance
• Create a backlog of transformation opportunities.

Outcomes:

• Transformation intent is framed as a human challenge.
• Shared strategic outcomes aligned to business value.
• List of strategic initiatives to explore in later phases.

Phase 2: DISCOVER

Co-Sensing and Opportunity Definition (T2.0 Core)

Goal:

Define initiatives and roadmap by sensing needs, bottlenecks, and system tensions.

Key Activities:

• Conduct strategic co-design with stakeholders.
• Explore tensions and unmet needs using artefacts like system maps and insight clustering.
• Prioritise initiatives based on desirability (human needs), feasibility (delivery), and viability (business alignment).

Outcomes:

• Opportunity and initiative map.
• Delivery options and roadmap.
• Selection of initiatives to proceed to the Jumpstart phase.

Phase 3: JUMPSTART

Prototype-Driven Implementation Using IDEO Design Thinking

At this stage, IDEO Design Thinking becomes the primary engine for solving identified initiatives.

Initiative Execution using IDEO Design Thinking

Key Dimensions of IDEO Design Thinking Applied:

1. Human-Centeredness (Desirability)
   • Understand user needs through field immersion, interviews, and empathy mapping.
   • Use observations and analogies to uncover deep insights.
2. Experimentation & Iteration (Feasibility)
   • Develop quick, low-fidelity prototypes to test ideas.
   • Foster a learning culture with feedback loops and rapid iteration.
3. Business Viability (Viability)
   • Align ideas with business capabilities, models, and organisational objectives.

Key Jumpstart Activities:

• Reframe initiative goals as How Might We (HMW) questions.
• Conduct fieldwork and journey mapping to surface real user needs.
• Ideate solutions with diverse teams.
• Build and test rough prototypes (e.g., mock-ups, roleplays).
• Involve users and stakeholders in testing.

Success Criteria:

• Clear, testable prototypes for each initiative.
• Measurable user feedback and behavioural signals.
• Adjusted solutions based on desirability–feasibility–viability review.

Phase 4: SCALE

Test, Learn, and Evolve at System Level (IDEO + T2.0)

Goal:

Expand the most promising prototypes and build system readiness for scaled transformation.

Activities:

• Run scaled pilots of proven prototypes in live environments.
• Facilitate Design Thinking-led retrospectives to assess what’s working.
• Iterate based on new behavioural and system insights.
• Refine team structures and governance to support new ways of working.

Key IDEO Practices:

• Test to Learn: Prioritise learning from user feedback over premature scaling.
• Iterative Mindset: Expect rework; it’s a feature, not a flaw.
• Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Test risky assumptions early.

Success Criteria:

• Expansion-ready initiative playbooks.
• Organisational readiness to shift structures and resourcing.
• Human stories of change to fuel leadership buy-in.

Phase 5: EMBED

Institutionalise Innovation Through Storytelling and Capability (IDEO + T2.0)

Goal:

Sustain and scale new behaviours and solutions so they become part of everyday practice.

Activities:

• Use IDEO’s Share the Story principle to communicate transformation journeys across the business.
• Develop internal capability with masterclasses and community building.
• Celebrate change agents and co-designers.
• Establish rituals, artefacts, and symbols to reinforce new practices.

IDEO Design Thinking Contribution:

• Visual Communication: Create storyboards, case studies, and artefacts from prototypes and learning loops.
• Empathy-Driven Change: Continue listening to users post-implementation to refine and evolve.

Success Criteria:

• Cultural adoption of new ways of working.
• Stories of transformation are embedded in onboarding, training, and communications.
• Ongoing innovation rituals are sustained by teams and leaders.

T2.0 + IDEO Design Thinking at a Glance

Final Notes for Practitioners

• IDEO Design Thinking is the problem-solving engine of Transformation 2.0 from Jumpstart onward.
• Each initiative should be treated as a design opportunity and a prototype for broader transformation.
• T2.0 ensures the structure, alignment, and leadership backing; IDEO provides the creativity, experimentation, and empathy.
  • The integration enables real change with real people, not just process change on paper.