Design Thinking Test used in the “Start Next Innovator 2021” Program by WiL, supported by METI and JETRO
The Design Thinking Test, the World’s first test that quantifies creativity, by VISITS Technologies K.K. (Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Masaru Matsumoto, hereinafter referred to as “VISITS”), has been implemented as part of the “Start Next Innovator 2021” program by WiL, supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and JETRO.
Given the nature of work in today’s rapidly changing landscape, the demand for human resources with the skills to contribute value adding activities is increasing. Until now, it had been difficult to measure such skills quantitatively. The Design Thinking Test is the World’s first tool that objectively scores business creativity skills. That is, the ability to discover essential issues and create solutions.
■ What is “Start Next Innovator 2021” program?
Since 2015, the “Start Next Innovator 2021” program has supported over 100 innovators and entrepreneurs who: assimilate the mindset, knowledge and skills that are considered necessary for innovators; have a firm resolution to break existing frameworks to solve important challenges which cannot be solved by a single person; and motivate themselves to continue to take on challenges or take actions. The program includes several months of training in Japan and Silicon Valley, where design thinking and other methodologies are used in practical training activities by lead lecturers and over 80 mentors from both Japan and abroad.
■ Outline of Implementation and Results
The Design Thinking Test was taken by about 100 participants at the beginning of the program. This year’s program was aimed at entrepreneurs and managers engaged in new business creation activities. In comparing the first program participant test scores with average workforce scores, *it was found that the incidence of SS and S ranks, i.e., top 5% of examinees, was 7 times higher among program participants. Of the “Creation Score” and “Evaluation Score” which make up the Design Thinking Score, the “Creation Score” was particularly high. Furthermore, the number of ideas generated was approximately 1.5 times more than the average of a similar participant group, with the ideas also receiving high evaluation scores.
A clear correlation between the quantitative assessment of the participants design thinking skills at the start of the program was confirmed. We plan to further verify these results by having the program participants take the test at the end of the program.
*based on repeat participant result data
■Comments from Mr. Isoo of WiL “Start Next Innovator 2021” Program
Looking at the top scorers, it is clear that many program participants were able to ask perceptive questions and make smart comments during the training program. These participants were characterized by their ability to understand the content of the programme, ask the right questions and make the right comments in the right context, based on awareness of the issues and empathizing with the other participants. The correlation between the qualitative problem-solving skills of the participants and their design thinking scores was very convincing. Although we had a sense of participant skill improvement through conversations during the program, we felt that the Design Thinking test proved as a useful tool in quantitatively scoring performance in terms of creativity.
■ What is the Design Thinking Test?
Using a patented algorithm, the Design Thinking test can identify human resource talents that have the skills to “discover essential issues and come up with solutions”. In other words, human resources with the mindset and skills that are essential for future businesspeople. Until now, visualization of such skills was difficult to achieve. By repeatedly taking the test, participants can improve and develop their design thinking skills. The technology has already been used by more than 200 companies, including major general trading companies, consulting firms, and major electronics manufacturers.
More than 110,000 people have participated in sessions using this technology. Furthermore, the test has been implemented by numerous companies and academic institutions. VISITS is committed to developing and expanding its products to support the acceleration of innovation and DX in Japan.
【Company Profile】
Establishment: June 2014
Capital: 100mil Yen
Location: Yusen Building 2F, 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business activities: Planning, development and operation of various products using Consensus-building algorithm “Consensus Intelligence Technology” (patented in Japan and the U.S.)
The Design Thinking Test, the World’s first test that quantifies creativity, by VISITS Technologies K.K. (Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Masaru Matsumoto, hereinafter referred to as “VISITS”), has been implemented as part of the “Start Next Innovator 2021” program by WiL, supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and JETRO.
Given the nature of work in today’s rapidly changing landscape, the demand for human resources with the skills to contribute value adding activities is increasing. Until now, it had been difficult to measure such skills quantitatively. The Design Thinking Test is the World’s first tool that objectively scores business creativity skills. That is, the ability to discover essential issues and create solutions.
■ What is “Start Next Innovator 2021” program?
Since 2015, the “Start Next Innovator 2021” program has supported over 100 innovators and entrepreneurs who: assimilate the mindset, knowledge and skills that are considered necessary for innovators; have a firm resolution to break existing frameworks to solve important challenges which cannot be solved by a single person; and motivate themselves to continue to take on challenges or take actions. The program includes several months of training in Japan and Silicon Valley, where design thinking and other methodologies are used in practical training activities by lead lecturers and over 80 mentors from both Japan and abroad.
■ Outline of Implementation and Results
The Design Thinking Test was taken by about 100 participants at the beginning of the program. This year’s program was aimed at entrepreneurs and managers engaged in new business creation activities. In comparing the first program participant test scores with average workforce scores, *it was found that the incidence of SS and S ranks, i.e., top 5% of examinees, was 7 times higher among program participants. Of the “Creation Score” and “Evaluation Score” which make up the Design Thinking Score, the “Creation Score” was particularly high. Furthermore, the number of ideas generated was approximately 1.5 times more than the average of a similar participant group, with the ideas also receiving high evaluation scores.
A clear correlation between the quantitative assessment of the participants design thinking skills at the start of the program was confirmed. We plan to further verify these results by having the program participants take the test at the end of the program.
*based on repeat participant result data
■Comments from Mr. Isoo of WiL “Start Next Innovator 2021” Program
Looking at the top scorers, it is clear that many program participants were able to ask perceptive questions and make smart comments during the training program. These participants were characterized by their ability to understand the content of the programme, ask the right questions and make the right comments in the right context, based on awareness of the issues and empathizing with the other participants. The correlation between the qualitative problem-solving skills of the participants and their design thinking scores was very convincing. Although we had a sense of participant skill improvement through conversations during the program, we felt that the Design Thinking test proved as a useful tool in quantitatively scoring performance in terms of creativity.
■ What is the Design Thinking Test?
Using a patented algorithm, the Design Thinking test can identify human resource talents that have the skills to “discover essential issues and come up with solutions”. In other words, human resources with the mindset and skills that are essential for future businesspeople. Until now, visualization of such skills was difficult to achieve. By repeatedly taking the test, participants can improve and develop their design thinking skills. The technology has already been used by more than 200 companies, including major general trading companies, consulting firms, and major electronics manufacturers.
Website: https://design-thinking-test.com/
More than 110,000 people have participated in sessions using this technology. Furthermore, the test has been implemented by numerous companies and academic institutions. VISITS is committed to developing and expanding its products to support the acceleration of innovation and DX in Japan.
【Company Profile】
Establishment: June 2014
Capital: 100mil Yen
Location: Yusen Building 2F, 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business activities: Planning, development and operation of various products using Consensus-building algorithm “Consensus Intelligence Technology” (patented in Japan and the U.S.)
■ 関連情報：
The Design Thinking Test Website
■ Contact Us ■
Design Thinking Test
VISITS Technologies Inc. info@vis-its.com