Human Centered Design as a New Approach to Creative Problem Solving: Its Usefulness and Applicability for Social Work Practice

Social innovation within Human Service Organization (HSO) is gradually gaining momentum, however tools and techniques to promote the same are still in their infancy. Human Centered Design is one tool that could assist HSO managers and leaders in fulfilling organizational mission through innovation that is grounded in social work values and social work management competencies. This article describes the Human Centered Design, draws parallels with social work management competencies and concludes with state and county level illustrations of how the Human Centered Design has been used to address complex, wicked and recalcitrant social and organizational challenges.