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

Phase	Techniques	Tools
Discover	Interviews, Surveys, Desk Research, Observation	Google Forms, Typeform, Dovetail
Define	Personas, Empathy Maps, Journey Maps, Root Cause Analysis	Miro, Mural, FigJam
Develop	Brainstorming, Mind Mapping, Crazy 8s, SCAMPER	Figma, Balsamiq, Sketch
Deliver	Usability Testing, A/B Testing, Prototyping	Maze, UserTesting, InVision

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