| Term | Simple Definition | Link to further reading / watching |
| 5 Whys | A simple problem-solving method where you keep asking “why?” five times, or as many as few as needed, to find the root cause of an issue. | https://www.england.nhs.uk/improvement-hub/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2015/08/learning-handbook-five-whys.pdf |
| Agile | Agile is a way of working that focuses on small, quick steps and continuous improvement instead of long, fixed plans. It is a mindset as well as manifest that lays out a set of defines 4 values and 12 principles to improve software development | https://agilealliance.org/agile101/ |
| Agile mindset | The agile mindset is an attitude that values learning by doing, flexibility, and adapting fast when things change. You ca. use the tools and be seen to be ‘doing agile’ this goes deeper and is about ‘being’ agile | https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2019/08/13/understanding-the-agile-mindset/ |
| Bias | A way of thinking that unfairly favours one idea, group, or outcome over another, often without realising it. | https://nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/about/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/conscious-inclusion/understanding-different-types-of-bias/ |
| Design Thinking | A process for solving problems creatively by understanding users, exploring ideas, and testing them. | https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/design-thinking?srsltid=AfmBOoqxZokfE_t_ijRmD7eU_J6-AkIOvcL-0pq6JPrNB5Am_5vmmcWc |
| Dotmocracy | A group voting method where people use stickers or dots to show which ideas they like best. | https://www.sessionlab.com/methods/dotmocracy |
| Double Diamond framework | A design process that moves through four stages: discover, define, develop, and deliver, designed by the Design Council | https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/our-resources/the-double-diamond/ |
| Dragons’ Den | TV Programme and an idea pitching format where you present your idea to others (like investors or judges) to get feedback or support. | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92 |
| Empathy Map | A tool to help understand what users think, feel, say, and do, so you can design better for their needs. | https://medium.com/@davegray/updated-empathy-map-canvas-46df22df3c8a |
| Facilitation notes | Guides that help someone lead a session smoothly, showing what to say, ask, or do next. | http://www.meeting-facilitation.co.uk/methodcards/methods-meeting-facilitation-notes.pdf |
| FMEA | FEMA Iis a way to find and fix possible points of failure in a process before they happen. It stands for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXqsNNrFMY8 |
| HMW (How Might We) | HMW is a question format that helps turn challenges into opportunities for creative ideas. by simply framing the problem through the framing of How Might We…. | https://www.boardofinnovation.com/tools/how-might-we-statement-builder/ |
| Hypothesis | A hypothesis ia a smart guess you can test to see if something will work, often written as “If we do X, we expect Y.” A design hypothesis is similar to one in research and medical settings | https://uxplanet.org/design-hypothesis-what-why-when-where-and-why-47b2f58e9666 |
| ICE framework (Innovation, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship) | A way to think about how ideas become real, valuable, and sustainable innovations. | https://ircaucus.ac.uk/publications/innovation-commercialisation-and-entrepreneurship-ice-skills-framework/#:~:text=This%20framework%20was%20developed%20to,name%20a%20few%20practical%20applications). |
| Ideation | The stage where you come up with lots of different ideas before deciding which to test. | https://tash-willcocks.medium.com/so-what-the-hell-is-ideation-1df01317d87e |
| KPI – Key Performance indicator | A measurable goal that shows how well something is working — for example, how many users a service helps or how much time it saves. | https://www.kpi.org/kpi-basics/ |
| Lateral thinking | A creative thinking approach that looks at problems from new or unexpected angles. | https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/lateral-thinking?srsltid=AfmBOorMPWk2wBTCIX25ZoOdP9_6M5v0cG1Bs76e9E1DFdDHMLoriGXg |
| Lean Startup | A method for building new ideas quickly, testing them with users, and improving based on real feedback. | https://theleanstartup.com/ |
| Mapping | A way to make sense of complex information by visually showing how things connect, such as people, steps, tools, or data. It helps teams see patterns, gaps, and opportunities. These include Service Blueprints, Journey maps, storyboards and empathy maps. All found in this glossary | https://benholliday.com/2018/06/25/service-mapping-and-different-types-of-maps/ |
| Miro (and tools like Mural and Microsoft Whiteboard) | Miro is an online whiteboard where teams or individuals can work online. They are good for teams working together on ideas, maps, and plans. Everyone can add notes, drawings, or files at the same time, even if they are not in the same room. | https://miro.com/ |
| Padlet | An online board where people can post ideas, comments, or images in one shared space. | https://padlet.com/ |
| PESTLE analysis | A tool to look at big external factors, Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental, that can affect your idea. | https://pestleanalysis.com/what-is-pestle-analysis/ |
| Prototyping | Creating a quick version of an idea to test and learn what works before investing too much time or money. It can be anything from paper to digital prototyping, you use what fits the purpose or context | https://www.tpximpact.com/knowledge-hub/blogs/design/fidelity-in-prototyping |
| Psychological safety | When people feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and make mistakes without fear. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZgmoxOgfig |
| SCAMPER | A checklist that helps spark ideas by asking: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other use, Eliminate, or Reverse. | https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/learn-how-to-use-the-best-ideation-methods-scamper?srsltid=AfmBOoo-oKf3bfU18L4yRl7thKdlawmf2Ei8QaVZqoWRePRSZ4sjhp9P |
| Service Blueprint | A detailed map showing how a service works — including people, processes, and tools behind the scenes. | https://miro.com/templates/service-blueprint/ |
| Stakeholder | Anyone who has an interest in, or is affected by, your idea or project. This could be a client, your boss, the users or even your peers. They are all managed in different ways. | https://simplystakeholders.com/the-importance-of-stakeholders/ |
| Stakeholder mapping | A visual way to identify and understand the people or groups who affect, or are affected by, your project. It helps you see who to involve, inform, or influence. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlj5mQy1p_0 |
| Stand-up (in agile) | A stand-up is a quick daily team meeting (usually 10–15 minutes). Each person says what they’re working on, what they finished, and if anything is blocking them. It helps the team stay in sync and fix problems early. | |
| Systems Mapping Toolkit | A tool to see how people, processes, and problems are connected within a larger system. | https://miro.com/templates/system-mapping-toolkit/ |
| Vision Specification | A clear statement describing what success looks like and the change you want to make. | An example is in your key takeaway packs |
