Design Thinking at CMR University!

Design Thinking is typically organized into five phases, although they are not always linear and can overlap as the process evolves:

1. Empathize (Understand the User)
   • The first stage focuses on understanding the user’s needs, experiences, and emotions. It involves qualitative research techniques like interviews, observations, and empathy mapping to gather deep insights into user problems.
   • Example: Interviewing customers, observing user behavior, or conducting surveys.
2. Define (Frame the Problem)
   • This stage synthesizes the findings from the Empathize phase to clearly define the problem. The goal is to create a well-framed problem statement (often called a “point of view” statement) that guides the ideation process.
   • Example: Defining the core challenge, such as “How might we improve the accessibility of healthcare for remote communities?”
3. Ideate (Generate Ideas)
   • This phase is about generating a wide variety of ideas, no matter how wild or out-of-the-box they seem. The idea is to brainstorm solutions and explore all possibilities.
   • Example: Brainstorming sessions, mind mapping, or using techniques like “Crazy 8s” (sketching 8 ideas in 8 minutes).
4. Prototype (Build Tangible Solutions)
   • In the prototyping stage, concepts are turned into tangible forms, whether that’s through sketches, wireframes, mockups, or simple models. Prototypes are created to test ideas, learn quickly, and make iterations.
   • Example: Building low-fidelity prototypes like paper mockups, interactive digital prototypes, or even role-playing.
5. Test (Refine and Validate)
   • Testing involves sharing prototypes with users to gather feedback, which informs the next round of iteration. Often, this phase reveals new insights and prompts a redefinition of the problem or new ideas to explore.
   • Example: User testing a prototype, observing how users interact with it, and gathering feedback to make improvements.