In today’s corporate landscape, teamwork is essential for success. With organizations increasingly relying on team-based structures, the focus is on enhancing team dynamics and effectiveness. Recent research conducted by Chen et al. (2025) explores the impact of three different team interventions: design thinking, after-action reviews, and traditional team building exercises. The study reveals that design thinking stands out as a particularly effective approach for enhancing team performance.
Design thinking, as a team intervention, involves a structured process of problem identification, brainstorming creative solutions, envisioning future possibilities, and testing and refining ideas. In a study involving over 700 employees across 96 teams in a Chinese healthcare company, teams were divided into three groups, each undergoing an 8-week intervention. The Design Thinking Group, the After-Action Review Group, and the Control Group participated in different activities aimed at improving team effectiveness.
Results from the study showed that teams in the Design Thinking Group demonstrated the most significant improvement in effectiveness and efficiency after 6 months, outperforming both the After-Action Review Group and the Control Group. Teams that embraced design thinking exhibited enhanced learning and collaboration, leading to increased efficiency and effectiveness in their tasks. Particularly in teams with a diverse range of responsibilities, design thinking and after-action review interventions showed the most significant improvements in team learning compared to traditional team building exercises.
The practical implications of this research suggest that organizations can benefit from incorporating design thinking principles into their team processes. By following a five-step approach involving problem identification, problem reframing, idea generation, idea testing, and plan revision, teams can enhance their performance throughout the project, rather than just at the end. This approach is especially valuable for teams handling a variety of tasks, as it fosters innovation and continuous improvement in both complex and routine projects.
In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of adopting innovative approaches like design thinking to boost team performance and collaboration. By encouraging a culture of creativity and continuous learning, organizations can empower their teams to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in achieving their goals. This research provides valuable insights for businesses looking to optimize their team dynamics and drive success in today’s competitive environment.
Reference:
Chen, J., Vashdi, Dr, Fan, Q., Bamberger, PA, & Chen, G. (2025). The relative effects of design thinking versus NA-ACTION Review on team performance: an experiential/episodic team learning perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology. Advance Online Publication.
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