1. Venture Lab – Design Thinking
Empathy Map (space too small/so narrative)
and Problem Statement
Innovative Design Team
8/5/2013
Design Thinking - Innovate Design Team:
Empathy and Problem Statement

2. SAY
Interviewed the founder of a non-profit, who said -
• My organization awards academic scholarships to aspiring undergraduate
and graduate college students pursuing careers in public service related
fields.
• Besides academic scholarship, students are required to participate in
wrap-around service delivery.
• The program provides peer & professional mentoring, leadership
development training, and a host of other supportive services in an effort
to prepare scholars to transition successfully from the classroom into the
workforce.
• To receive awards students must show a commitment to reinvest in their
local communities, as well as have a financial need.
• Diverse student enrollment is a special focus of the program.
8/5/2013
Design Thinking - Innovate Design Team:
Empathy and Problem Statement

3. SAY
• Many universities partner with our organization to match our scholarships
for the benefit of deserving students.
• Scholarships not only maximize financial aid for the student, but also
provide a clear return on investment for educational institutions and
future employers.
• Students are poised to be leaders in the non-profit sector, public sector,
and other public service fields.
• Our program puts students in contact with public policy makers and
people that make decisions. Students get a chance to shadow decision-
makers and experience how work gets done in the real world.
• Public policy is vitally important, and our program insures the success of
young students from diverse ethnic backgrounds in these professional
fields.
8/5/2013
Design Thinking - Innovate Design Team:
Empathy and Problem Statement

4. THINK AND FEEL
• I think that the individual is committed to students.
• I think he has an intense passion for education, public policy and helping
students transition into the workplace.
• I feel that the individual has a keen ability to bring people together to
discover solutions and collaborate.
• It seems like he is focused on growing the organization to serve as many
underserved diverse students as possible.
• It sounds like his organization has strong university, governmental and
corporate partners.
• I feel that the individual understands that college costs are expensive and
outside financial backing is crucial for these particular students.
8/5/2013
Design Thinking - Innovate Design Team:
Empathy and Problem Statement

5. PROBLEM STATEMENT
• 5 adjectives: the individual is a visionary and committed innovator who
inspires and encourages the next generation of leaders to empower
themselves through education as they transition from academia to the
workplace.
• STAKEHOLDER needs a way to increase and broaden the funding base
(endowment, scholarships) of the organization because the benefits of the
program are so amazing that demand is likely to increase, straining
resources and exacerbating the need to build capacity in order to provide
quality services/training to a wider group of students.
8/5/2013
Design Thinking - Innovate Design Team:
Empathy and Problem Statement