Abduction to Argument: A Framework of Design Thinking

Abstract

This paper presents a constructivist framework for design thinking based on the recognition that there are different kinds of generative propositions. Five different “What if … ?” questions are identified. It is offered that subsequent design development occurs in two ways. First, intensive development seeks an increasingly precise understanding of a proposed change by refining the generative proposition with respect to the initial “What if … ?” question. Second, extensive development seeks an increasingly comprehensive understanding of a proposed change by applying, adapting, and adjusting the generative proposition with respect to the other “What if … ?” questions. It is suggested that when both kinds of design development are performed successfully, the generative proposition of change becomes a reasoned argument for change.