APPLYING DESIGN THINKING TO DRIVE INNOVATION IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The article explores the application of design thinking as a contemporary tool for stimulating innovation in project management under conditions of increasing uncertainty and environmental dynamics. The study analyzes recent scientific approaches to integrating design thinking with classical project management methodologies and substantiates its role as a human-centered, iterative, and creativity-driven approach to managerial decision-making. A significant methodological gap is identified, namely the lack of quantitative tools for assessing the innovativeness of ideas generated through design thinking practices. To address this gap, the article proposes a conceptual framework for an original Innovation Idea Index based on key dimensions such as novelty, feasibility, value creation, user-centeredness, and scalability. The use of a standardized 10-point evaluation scale is justified, along with the application of cluster analysis to classify and interpret project ideas. The practical significance of the research lies in establishing a foundation for the development of an applied digital solution—an Innovation Idea Calculator—which can be used in project management practice, innovation workshops, and educational environments to support evidence-based decision-making.