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Phase 3
Design Thinking Process
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?