Design Thinking Process
Empathize → Define → Ideate → Prototype → Test for human-centered solutions.
Explanation
Design thinking is a structured approach to solving problems that puts human needs at the center. Instead of starting with technology or constraints, you start by deeply understanding the people you're solving for, then systematically work through defining the problem, generating ideas, building prototypes, and testing with real users.
Real-World Example
Traditional approach: Build better healthcare software based on technical specifications. Design thinking: Spend time with doctors and patients, understand their real frustrations, define the core problem (not what you assumed), generate multiple solution ideas, prototype the most promising ones, test with actual users, iterate based on feedback.
How to Apply
Empathize: Spend time with people experiencing the problem. Define: Synthesize observations into a clear problem statement focused on human needs. Ideate: Generate many possible solutions without judgment. Prototype: Build quick, cheap versions to test core concepts. Test: Get feedback from real users and iterate. Don't skip steps or rush—each phase informs the next.