Challenge
As part of the “Aviation in Transition” program, students from all vocational (MBO), higher vocational (HBO), and university (WO) programs in the Netherlands, along with companies in the aviation sector, are collaborating on the transition to climate-neutral aviation. When dealing with complex issues, there is a strong tendency to jump straight to solutions. The challenge was to first gain a clear understanding of who the problem is being solved for and what needs and challenges are actually at play.
Our approach
Through a Design Thinking workshop, we guided students in approaching the problem from the user’s perspective. Instead of immediately developing ideas, they first explored who the user is, what the real issues are, and where the needs lie. By testing assumptions and gathering insights, they established a solid foundation for developing promising solutions.
Result
In a short period of time, the students made the shift from solution-focused thinking to human-centered design. This led to more incisive problem analyses, better-substantiated ideas, and solutions that are more in line with real-world practice. This laid a strong foundation for innovations that can contribute to the transition to a more sustainable aviation industry.
