Phase+5

//Refinement means testing your solutions and evolving your product. Refinement is the development of your concept and involves communicating the idea to people who can help you realize it, and documenting the process. It also gives you the opportunity to identify indicators of success.//
 * Phase 5: Refinement **


 * 5-1 Track Learning**

In order to know if you have a solution that answers the challenge, you need to know the criteria that define success. Identify the indicators for a successful project. You might want to make two sets of criteria, one for the process and one for the product. Rubrics are great tools by which teachers and students alike can identify the success indicators.

Teams should track the process of the design thinking challenge. Teams could document the research completed as well the research skills acquired. They can track the collaboration of the team and the stories that they shared. Writing a reflection of the process is another great way to have students track the process. They can document the initial impressions compared to the end result and how that process transpired. They could also document their achievement and how those occurred. These reflections of the process will enable students to learn from the experience and duplicate it at a higher level the next time.


 * 5-2 Move Forward**

In order to reach the full potential of new, innovative solutions, the solutions must be shared with audiences outside the classroom. Depending on the outcomes that you hoped to achieve with you solutions, you might have to pitch your solutions to a specific audience. If you were hoping to bring you solution to the real world, this becomes essential. Here are some essential tips to do just that.


 * Know your audience. Whether you are hoping for a grade or moving your project to real use, knowing your audience can make a big difference on how you pitch/present your project.


 * Highlight what excites you about your project. This will help you feel less intimidated when presenting your idea.


 * Build a narrative. Tell the story of how and why the project took life. Share the experience with the audience.


 * Communicate the value of your project. Draw from your Interpretation phase.

At this point you will let the audience experience your project solutions and get feedback from the users. This will be the path the next best iteration of your solution/project. This process can continue if you want to refine your solution to its best iteration.