Models as Bridges from Design Thinking to Engineering

In this paper we address the critical link between design thinking (DT) and software engineering by investigating the role of models as artifacts crossing the boundaries from designers to other disciplines like engineering. We introduce our approach (mDT, multidisciplinary Design Thinking) by describing its methods. We show how the results of a DT process can be handed over to others. We focus on the characteristics of the artifacts DT induce. We suggest using design models (i.e., use, systems and interaction models) to create a smooth transition from design to engineering and other disciplines. We illustrate our mDT by giving some examples from a previous DT project before concluding the paper.