Collaborative Innovation in Energy: Integrating Design Thinking for Sustainable Product Development

Implementing innovative product development strategies within the energy sector presents unique challenges due to technological complexity, severe regulations, and environmental considerations. Product managers in this industry must navigate a complex web of collaborations across departments to ensure successful. This paper explores the need to integrate human-centric factors in product development within the energy sector, emphasizing the shift towards collaborative and open approaches. Central to this shift is Design Thinking, which emphasizes iterative and collaborative efforts in driving innovation. The study focuses on the creation of a new line of home solar panels solutions using Design Thinking methodologies. Three workshops - inspiration, ideation, and implementation - are designed and implemented, offering a systematic approach prioritizing user needs, innovative solutions, and iterative refinement. Co-creation workshops engage stakeholders in each stage of the process, facilitating user research, brainstorming, and testing. Results highlight Design Thinking's effectiveness in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and anticipating implementation challenges. The study underscores the potential of collaborative methods such as Design Thinking in navigating complex challenges and driving successful product development within the energy sector, ultimately contributing to sustainable solutions and organizational success.