Design Thinking – 5 Stages

What is it?

This is a useful table with the ability to be used to organize content that your company would like to evaluate. It was created by the Hasso-Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. 

When to use

The visual table can be used when you and your team are looking to find a solution to any kind of problem. This may be a problem for your target market or an issue for your company internally. 

How to use

  • Click the plus sign to add a sticky note to the corresponding category. Click on the sticky note to add text and customize.
  • Formulate ideas under each category. It is important to note that you may work out of the order that the categories are in. As long as you get your ideas down in the corresponding categories, this template is being used correctly. 
    • Ideate: Think about any ideas to help solve the problem.
    • Empathize: Think about what the challenge is in this situation. Explore it in a human context.
    • Define: Think about why it is an important issue and what research and observations can be done. 
    • Prototype: Think about how you can create a solution to the issue. Examine experimentation tactics as well as the possibility of failure with the solution.
    • Test: Think about if the solution works. If so, refine it and think about how to implement it within your company or audience. 

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