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Phase 3

Design Thinking Process

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Design thinking is a human-centered, iterative approach to problem solving. Instead of starting with technology or business constraints, it begins with understanding people—their needs, behaviors, and challenges—and then works outward to design solutions that are both innovative and practical. Popularized by Stanford’s d.school and IDEO, the process has five key stages: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Importantly, these stages are not linear but cyclical, allowing teams to learn, refine, and adapt continuously.

The 5 Stages of Design Thinking

Empathize – Research Users’ Needs

Immerse in users’ lives to understand their behaviors, pain points, and motivations through interviews, observation, and direct engagement.

Define – Frame the Problem

Synthesize insights into a clear, human-centered problem statement that sets the stage for targeted innovation.

Ideate – Generate Possibilities

Brainstorm freely to explore a wide range of potential solutions, emphasizing quantity over quality initially.

Prototype – Make It Tangible

Create low-cost, quick, tangible prototypes like sketches or mockups to learn what works and what doesn’t.

Test – Learn and Refine

Test prototypes with real users to validate, reject, or improve solutions, often looping back to earlier stages with new insights.

Why Design Thinking Matters

Design thinking equips teams to tackle complex, ill-defined problems by combining empathy with experimentation, focusing on three overlapping lenses:

Desirability

Does it meet real human needs?

Feasibility

Can we build it with available technology and resources?

Viability

Can it sustain itself and create business value?

Resources

Interaction Design Foundation

The 5 Stages in the Design Thinking Process

Stanford Design School

An Introduction to Design Thinking

Interaction Design Foundation

What is Design Thinking?

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Design Thinking 101

Figma

What is Design Thinking?

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