Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
Power Up Teamwork
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Overview
Great ideas rarely come from one person alone – they grow when people share skills. In Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, you can work in a team of up to four. That means organising yourselves just like real design teams do.
When everyone knows their role and what’s expected, things run smoothly. A clear plan helps you:
- avoid confusion and arguments
- make sure all tasks get done on time
- use everyone’s strengths to create the best idea possible
Having a well organised process is just as important in design thinking as having a great creative idea!
Megan from Team Repair – alumni of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow UK programme – explains how teamwork helped shape their award-winning app that teaches young people STEM and sustainability through repairing electronics.
Case studies
1. Design at Samsung
Samsung’s most innovative products are created by teams, not individuals. For example, when developing the Galaxy Z Fold, engineers, designers, researchers and UX specialists worked together. Each person had a clear role:
They didn’t just “hope for the best” – they planned responsibilities and timelines, so every part came together. That’s where project managers come in: they keep the big picture in focus, make sure deadlines are met, and help everyone work as one team. |
2. Collaboration at Samsung
| Challenge: | Predicting which colours will be a hit with users and getting the colours onto products. |
| Solution: | Samsung’s European Trend & Future Insights team works closely with the Colours, Materials and Finishes (CMF) team in Seoul to define future product colours. Samsung teams in Korea are experts in colour manufacturing; the team in London brings fresh, creative colour trends; and external colour experts help confirm their final palette. Collaboration is essential – each team has different strengths and contributes something important to the process. |
Top tips for successful teamwork
Here’s how to organise your team like the pros:
Talk about roles
- Use the forming your team sheet to identify strengths and roles.
- Pick a project manager to keep everyone on track.
- Share tasks based on strengths – e.g., who likes sketching, who’s good at writing, who enjoys research.
Make the best use of group sessions
- Divide and conquer – split tasks so everyone works on something different.
- Together, list the tasks you want to finish in the time you have.
- Allocate tasks by strengths (don’t waste time arguing!). Example: one person sketches while another researches tech options.
- Save time to regroup at the end and share progress so your work stays aligned.
Make at-home tasks SMART
If you set tasks to do outside the group sessions, make them SMART so everyone knows exactly what’s expected:
- Specific – say exactly what needs doing by whom. Example: “Sam will fill out the persona template.”
- Measurable – how will you know it’s done? Example: “Sam will upload the persona to the shared folder.”
- Achievable – keep it realistic. Example: Check you have the template and have time in your schedule to complete it.
- Relevant – make sure it moves the project forward. Example: Make sure you’re clear on the purpose of the task – the persona will help you design a solution that really works for real people.
- Time-bound – set a clear deadline. Example: “Finish by Friday at 5pm.”
Check in regularly
- Start each session with: “What’s done? What’s next?”
- Tick things off as you go.
Quick checklist for your idea
- Do we have a team leader?
- If working independently, do you have a project plan?
- Have we agreed who does what (both in our session and at home)?
- Does everyone know the next step?
- Are we checking progress regularly?
Career spotlight
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“I love working in a team because it allows everyone to share diverse ideas and understand different point of views, which broadens my own perspective. We make this possible by listening carefully to others and making everyone feel comfortable enough to speak out. Each voice counts, regardless of role, age, or background. My tip: Be humble and curious; forget stereotypes and assumptions. Remember that you are part of something bigger than yourself. Shared knowledge and common goals always lead to greater outcomes than working alone!” |
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