Talk:The double diamond

Developed by Mohammed Hodan Ismail

Abstract:

This article describes the management tool called the double diamond which is a design process that has been created by the British design council in 2004. The double diamond tool explores a wide area of the process of problem-solving mindset, from the initial discovery of the problem to developing a solution. When project managers have a problem to solve, a lot of the time they would move on to a problem-solving phase immediately to solve the specific problem. Which can result to that the solution being temporary or the wrong solution for the given problem. The explanation for the this could be that there haven’t been enough time/resources spend on investigating the actual problem and the right way to approach the root of the problem. The double diamond tool consists of four different phases that’s divided into two Diamonds. In the first diamond we have the problem-solving space, where the first phase is the discover stage where the user must think with a divergent mindset (expanding the problem and the solution space). The next stage is the “Define” stage where the user must think with a convergent mindset, where the user refines the ideas into a possible solution (the focus area). After this the user moves on to the solution space by entering the third stage which is the “Develop” stage where the user diverge on the possible solution and concepts. And finally, the fourth stage “Deliver” were the ideas gathered from the “Develop” stage is converged on by testing and refining.

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1.Introduction:

The Double Diamond is management tool on how to work towards a structured design process. That was developed by the British design council in 2004. After a collaboration with some of the world’s leading companies (Alessi, BskyB, Starbucks, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Whirlpool, Xerox, Yahoo! , BT, LEGO, and Microsoft). The aim of the study was to observe how these leading companies’ approach and operates in the design processes to either their products or services. The criteria for the selected companies for the study was that they needed to represent a variety of sectors and that they could successfully apply the same design processes. The leading company’s way of operating in the design processes to either their products or services had some similarities, In the way their approach/framework was structured. The Double Diamond tool was then invented based on that research. The double diamond tool consists of four different phases: Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver that’s divided into two Diamonds. The four different phases shift between having a divergent and convergent mindset.

The Double Diamond (Own illustration inspired from the original Visualisation of the Double Diamond by the British Design Council.) Source:https://uxdesign.cc/beyond-the-double-diamond-thinking-about-a-better-design-process-model-de4fdb902cf

relvelance to apppm. figur til wiki

2.The problem defining space:

In the first diamond we have the problem defining space where the design process should begin with exploring the problem space. for this to be a success it is important to refrain from having a solution orientated perspective when working in this space, because this may result to that the solution being temporary or the wrong solution for the given problem. In the first phase of the first diamond is the discover stage where the user must think with a divergent mindset (expanding the problem and the solution space). The next stage is the “Define” stage where the user must think with a convergent mindset, where the user narrows down and refines the ideas from the previous stage into a possible solution (the focus area).

3.The problem-solving space:

After the define stage, the user moves from the problem defining space into the problem-solving space with the concepts from previous stage. To the next diamond where the develop stage concentrates on the concepts with again a divergent mindset to explore and work with different solutions concepts. In order to have more options to work with instead of just going with the first solution that appears to be a great solution. After working through the different solutions concepts the user selects the solution concepts that they want to keep working further with to the next step. The deliver stage that marks the end of the second diamond and it’s the final stage in the double diamond. Where the user starts prototyping and testing the solution concepts. The solution concept that fails the testing are discarded and the solution with the best results is chosen.

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4.Use of tool:

The Double Diamond is management tool that can be used in almost any design project with a challenge or problem there needs a solution. The Double Diamond is management tool is very flexible and can be made to fit most projects. In a project management perspective, the Double Diamond is a tool that can be used to structure the framework of the project work. To make the project innovative and find the best fitting solution. In an addition traditional project management can be performed in parallel. While it follows the different stages off Double Diamond.

The British design council have presented 25 methods that can be used in the project plan in the four stages of the Double Diamond. But the user shouldn’t feel limited to only use these. The two diamond phases can be seen as management stages , where the different stages can be scheduled through a series of milestones. So that the users can review the project progress and approve if the project is ready for the next stage. It is important that the user reviews the current stage, updates the project plan, and look into possible risks. So that the whole process is dynamic and is under constant review throughout the whole time. Sometimes there can be special occasions where the use of an additional diamonds can be required to investigate a concept solution again, before settling down on a solution.

4.1 Discover stage:

In the discover stage the purpose is for the user to explore and gather as much information to diverge on the problem or challenge. This stage allows the user to have a divergent mindset, to be open minded for new concepts and ideas. The framework is to gather information about the users, market or social trends. use and explore all means to have a broad range of information. The more information that’s collected, the more options there is later to work on, to have the best approach to tackle the challenge or problem.

Here are some tools that can be used in the discover stage:

The 5 why’s

The 5 why’s is a simple and effective tool that can be used to discover the root cause of a problem. The tool works by asking a series of why questions, ideally 5 or less but sometimes it requires more. The intention behind it is to use a question to elaborate on the question before and so on. Until the source or root cause of the problem is found.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a simple and well know design thinking technique that most teams use in idea phase. It is a tool that can be used to generate multiple ideas and exploring creative concepts. It is important to being open minded and trying not to be judgmental by other team members ideas, even though if their idea is wild. Just write everything down that comes to mind. Because later on the team can discuss and vote on the ideas.

Desk research, interviews and surveys

These three methods are very useful data collecting method. What makes Desk research a great method for finding information is that much of the secondhand information is available online, but it is important to be aware and critical of the source. Interviews helps with understanding the target groups behaviors and what they think or want, With in-depth questions. The survey method investigates broadly. It maps the relationships being examined with the aim of gaining an overview of general relationships and patterns that are representative of a given area.

4.2 Define stage:

In the define stage the purpose is for the user to converge on the ideas and information that has been gathered from the previous stage, to analyze and make decisions to limit the problem space and focus area. For the define stage the user shifts from a divergent mindset to a convergent one. Here are some tools that can be used in the define stage:

1. • 1. Present the topic to a focus group with 6-10 people to discuss upon their thoughts on the topic
   • 2. Set some assessment criteria’s

4.3 Develop stage:

In the develop stage the user moves from the problem defining space into the problem-solving space with the concepts from previous stage. The develop stage concentrates on the defined concepts form the previous stage. For the develop stage we shift back to a divergent mindset to explore and work with different solutions concepts for the defined problem or challenge.

Here are some tools that can be used in the develop stage:

1. • 1. A physical prototype
   • 2. Service blueprint
   • 3. Effectiveness vs efficiency

After working through the different solutions concepts the user selects the solution concepts that they want to keep working further with to the next step

4.4 Deliver stage:

The deliver stage that marks the end of the problem-solving space and it’s the final stage in the double diamond. Where the prototype goes through some more testing and refining before being delivered.

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References

1.[4] Are you solving the right problems? - by Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg 2.[5] A study of the design process - by Design Council 3.AXELOS. (2017). Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 2017 Edition (2017th ed.). 4.Design Methods Step 1: Discover | by the British Design Council.( https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/news-opinion/design-methods-step-1-discover) 5.Design Methods Step 2: Define | by the British Design Council. https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/news-opinion/design-methods-step-2-define 6.Design Methods Step 3: Develop | by the British Design Council. https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/news-opinion/design-methods-step-3-develop