Use of English

Design Thinking

In recent years, design thinking has gained a strong (0) FOOTHOLD in discussions about innovation and problem-solving. Rather than beginning with abstract theories, this approach encourages teams to focus (1) .......... the real needs of users and to test ideas quickly. Supporters argue that it helps organisations avoid investing heavily in solutions that may later (2) .......... out to be ineffective. At the heart of the method is the belief that complex problems rarely (3) .......... itself to simple answers. Instead, they require careful observation, experimentation and a willingness to learn from failure. Teams are often encouraged to build rough prototypes, not because these are expected to succeed immediately, but because they can (4) .......... light on hidden weaknesses in an idea. Another advantage is that design thinking brings together people from different backgrounds, whose varied perspectives can (5) .......... to more original solutions. Even so, the process is not without its critics. Some argue that it has been turned into a fashionable buzzword and that its value can be exaggerated if it is applied without sufficient discipline. Used well, however, it can (6) .......... up fresh ways of approaching long-standing difficulties and help decision-makers remain (7) .......... to changing circumstances. In that sense, design thinking is less about sudden inspiration than about developing a practical mindset that can be put (8) .......... in many fields.