Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Organizations that depend on inventory management systems are under increasing pressure to modernize, and Design Thinking Methodology has emerged as one of the more promising avenues for doing so, given its demonstrated impact in related domains.

Despite this potential, many existing inventory management systems were not originally designed with design thinking methodology in mind, resulting in persistent gaps in user satisfaction that limit their overall effectiveness. This study examines how Design Thinking Methodology can be applied to help close that gap.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Current inventory management systems in many organizations struggle with inadequate user satisfaction, often relying on manual processes or outdated architectures that were not designed for today's operating environment. Without a structured approach to integrating design thinking methodology, these limitations are likely to persist, exposing organizations to inefficiency, risk, and a poor user experience. This study is motivated by the need to design and evaluate a design thinking methodology-based approach to addressing this problem.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To design and implement a design thinking methodology-based approach to improving user satisfaction in inventory management systems.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Design Thinking Methodology in enhancing user satisfaction within inventory management systems.
3. To identify the key requirements and constraints relevant to deploying design thinking methodology in this context.
4. To assess user and stakeholder perception of the resulting system.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How can design thinking methodology be applied to improve user satisfaction in inventory management systems?
2. How effective is Design Thinking Methodology at enhancing user satisfaction within inventory management systems?
3. What requirements and constraints are relevant to deploying design thinking methodology in this context?
4. How do users and stakeholders perceive the resulting system?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Beyond its immediate technical contribution, this study offers value to organizations evaluating whether to invest in design thinking methodology for their own inventory management systems, and contributes to the broader literature on applied UI/UX design by documenting a concrete implementation and evaluation case.

1.6 Scope of the Study

As a BSc-level study, its scope is confined to designing and evaluating a design thinking methodology-based solution for inventory management systems, focused specifically on user satisfaction; broader deployment considerations fall outside this scope.