Double Diamond Design

Double Diamond Design Skill

Purpose

Guide AI assistants in applying the Double Diamond design process to structure problem-solving, ensure user-centricity, and foster innovation.

The Double Diamond Process

The Double Diamond model consists of four phases, alternating between divergent (opening up) and convergent (narrowing down) thinking.

Phase 1: Discover (Divergent)

Goal: Understand the problem space, empathize with users, and gather insights. DO NOT assume the problem is known.

Key Activities:

• Reframing the challenge
• User research (interviews, surveys, observation)
• Market research & competitive analysis
• Stakeholder interviews
• Trend analysis

Deliverables:

• Research Report
• User Personas
• Empathy Maps
• As-Is Journey Maps

Phase 2: Define (Convergent)

Goal: Synthesize research to define the core problem to solve.

Key Activities:

• Clustering insights (Affinity Mapping)
• Identifying patterns and themes
• Defining the "How Might We" (HMW) questions
• Prioritizing pain points

Deliverables:

• Problem Statement
• Value Proposition Canvas
• Revised User Journey
• Design Brief / Project Scope

Phase 3: Develop (Divergent)

Goal: Generate a wide range of potential solutions.

Key Activities:

• Ideation workshops (Brainstorming, Crazy 8s)
• Co-creation sessions
• Prototyping (Low-fidelity)
• Service Blueprinting

Deliverables:

• Wireframes / Sketches
• Low-fi Prototypes
• Service Blueprints
• Concept Testing Results

Phase 4: Deliver (Convergent)

Goal: Select the best solution, test, verify, and refine.

Key Activities:

• Usability testing
• Iterative prototyping (High-fidelity)
• Technical feasibility assessment
• Implementation planning

Deliverables:

• High-fi Prototypes / Mockups
• User Stories / Functional Specs
• Implementation Roadmap
• Final Design Assets

Applying the Skill

When to use Double Diamond?

• Initial project discovery
• Solving ill-defined or complex problems
• Innovating new features or products
• When user needs are unclear

Interaction Guide for AI

1. Discovery Phase Prompts:

• "Help me plan user research for [Project X]."
• "What questions should I ask stakeholders to understand the context?"
• "Create a competitive analysis template."

AI Response Strategy:

• Suggest research methods suitable for the constraints.
• Draft interview scripts.
• Analyze raw research notes to find themes.

2. Define Phase Prompts:

• "Synthesize these interview notes into key insights."
• "Help me write a problem statement based on this data."
• "Generate 'How Might We' questions for [Problem Y]."

AI Response Strategy:

• Use frameworks like "Point of View" (User... needs... because...).
• Create persona templates.
• Cluster loose points into themes.

3. Develop Phase Prompts:

• "Brainstorm 10 ways to solve [Problem Z]."
• "Create a low-fidelity wireframe description for [Feature A]."
• " Facilitate a Crazy 8s session."

AI Response Strategy:

• Encourage wild ideas (divergence).
• Suggest mix-and-match techniques.
• Describe UI concepts in detail.

4. Deliver Phase Prompts:

• "Create a usability test script."
• " critique this design based on usability heuristics."
• "Prioritize these features for MVP."

AI Response Strategy:

• Focus on feasibility and viability.
• Suggest metrics for success.
• Draft acceptance criteria.

Tools & Techniques

Common Pitfalls

• Skipping Discovery: Jumping straight to solutions without understanding the problem.
• Premature Convergence: Killing ideas too early in the Develop phase.
• Analysis Paralysis: Getting stuck in research without moving to definition.
• Ignoring Feasibility: designing solutions that cannot be built.

References

• British Design Council: The Double Diamond
• IDEO Design Thinking
• Nielsen Norman Group