Design thinking unpacked: an evolutionary algorithm?

The paper discusses 'design thinking' as an effective problem-solving method in new product development (NPD), likening it to evolutionary algorithms which optimize the search in complex design spaces. It argues that design thinking combines inductive, deductive, and abductive methods to address ill-defined problems effectively, contrasting with more traditional, less flexible approaches. The study concludes that understanding the fitness landscape can guide the choice of search strategies in NPD, emphasizing the need for a balance between exploratory and exploitative methods based on the problem at hand.