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