AIPO and GPPB-TSO collaborate to foster innovation through design thinking workshops

Quezon City, Metro Manila – 16 October 2024, and 28 May 2024

The Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO), through its Ideation Support Group (ISG), partnered with the Government Procurement Policy Board - Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) to empower procurement professionals with creative problem-solving skills through a series of Design Thinking workshops. Held in May and October 2024, these workshops were tailored to address the unique challenges faced by procurement professionals in different sectors of government.

October 2024: Procurement Professionals from SUCs Tackle User-Centric Challenges

On 16 October 2024, AIPO facilitated a Design Thinking workshop for procurement professionals from state universities and colleges (SUCs). Attended by around 20 participants, the session introduced a structured approach to tackling procurement issues with user-centric solutions.

Facilitated by Mr Steve Chaves, Head of AIPO-ISG, and Ms Mariela Alcaparas, Program Development Officer of AIPO, the workshop focused on the foundational phases of Design Thinking: Empathize, Define, and Ideate. Participants actively engaged in activities like the round-robin ideation exercise, collaboratively brainstorming innovative solutions to challenges identified in their respective procurement processes.

The session empowered SUC procurement professionals to develop actionable, user-centered ideas tailored to their stakeholders’ needs, demonstrating the effectiveness of Design Thinking as a problem-solving framework for public sector challenges.

May 2024: Metro Manila Agencies Redefine the Gift-Giving Experience

Earlier in the year, on 28 May 2024, AIPO conducted a Design Thinking workshop with procurement professionals from various Metro Manila government agencies and local government units (LGUs). Unlike the October session, this workshop allowed the 25 participants to explore the entire Design Thinking process through an interactive exercise: “Design a Better Gift-Giving Experience.”

Guided by AIPO’s seasoned facilitators, participants empathized with hypothetical users, identified pain points in traditional gift-giving, and redefined the problem to align with user needs. Through iterative ideation and prototyping, they explored creative solutions that enhanced the gift-giving experience, showcasing the potential of Design Thinking in addressing complex challenges.

This exercise allowed participants to immerse themselves in the end-to-end process of Design Thinking, gaining hands-on experience that could be applied to real-world procurement scenarios.

Driving Innovation in Public Procurement

Both workshops exemplify AIPO’s commitment to promoting innovation within the GPPB-TSO and its network of procurement professionals. The October session highlighted the importance of addressing procurement challenges in SUCs, while the May workshop provided an engaging exploration of the complete Design Thinking process through a relatable exercise.

By fostering creative problem-solving skills, AIPO and its Ideation Support Group continue to support public sector professionals in delivering efficient, effective, and user-centered services. These workshops underscore the value of Design Thinking in driving continuous improvement and empowering government organizations to meet evolving stakeholder needs.

Learn More About AIPO Design Thinking Workshops

Discover how AIPO’s Design Thinking initiatives can transform your organization. Visit aipo.ateneo.edu/designthinking, email us at aipo@ateneo.edu, or call +632 89270096.