Quick answer:
The double diamond design process is a visual framework developed by the UK Design Council that breaks problem-solving into four stages: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. It is a simple way to describe the steps taken in any design and innovation project, regardless of methods and tools used.
Overview:
The double diamond design process helps teams or designers tackle complex challenges by guiding them through creative problem-solving in four clear stages. The Double Diamond is made up of two phases (double diamond), the first focuses on understanding the problem through research and defining the problem or challenge and the second focuses on creating the solution by creating multiple solutions, testing and implementing the most successful.
The framework ensures that designers don’t rush to solutions but instead understand the problem deeply before developing and testing ideas. It is widely used in design thinking, service design, and product development.
Detailed Explanation:
Origin and purpose
Created by the UK Design Council in 2003, the double diamond provides a clear, structured model for creative problem-solving.
Its two “diamonds” represent two cycles of thinking: problem exploration and solution development.
The four stages
Discover: Helps people understand what the problem is, without assuming, through research, gathering insights and spending time with people affected by the issues.
Define: Insights gathered from the define phase can help narrow down findings to clearly identify the problem or challenge in a different way.
Develop: Encourages people to explore multiple solution ideas, generate and prototype
Deliver: Involves testing out different solutions, refining the ideas that work, rejecting those that don’t and implement the most effective solution.
Why it works
Balances exploration and focus- By moving exploration and narrowing down ideas, it ensures that teams consider a wide range of insights and ideas before implementing
Prevents solving the wrong problem: Through the discover and define stage research and insights a real problem is addressed
Encourages iteration and testing: The second half of the diamond ensures ideas are testing and refined leading to more user-centred, effective solutions.
Created by the UK Design Council in 2003, the double diamond provides a clear, structured model for creative problem-solving.
Its two “diamonds” represent two cycles of thinking: problem exploration and solution development.
Discover: Helps people understand what the problem is, without assuming, through research, gathering insights and spending time with people affected by the issues.
Define: Insights gathered from the define phase can help narrow down findings to clearly identify the problem or challenge in a different way.
Develop: Encourages people to explore multiple solution ideas, generate and prototype
Deliver: Involves testing out different solutions, refining the ideas that work, rejecting those that don’t and implement the most effective solution.
Balances exploration and focus- By moving exploration and narrowing down ideas, it ensures that teams consider a wide range of insights and ideas before implementing
Prevents solving the wrong problem: Through the discover and define stage research and insights a real problem is addressed
Encourages iteration and testing: The second half of the diamond ensures ideas are testing and refined leading to more user-centred, effective solutions.
Key takeaways:
It is built on two cycles: first to fully understand the problem, then to develop the solution.
The four stages are: Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver.
It emphasizes solving the right problem before creating the right solution.
The model encourages user-centred, research-driven design and reduces the risk of solving the wrong problem.
Related questions:
• What is product development?• What are the stages of the product development process?