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VerifiedFraming & planningv1.0.0

Double Diamond

Also: Discover–Define–Develop–Deliver · Framework for Innovation

UK Design Council (2005)

Purpose

Separate understanding the problem from solving it: diverge to explore, converge to decide — twice.

Use it when
  • –At the start of a discovery, to agree which phase the team is in
  • –When a team is jumping to solutions before the problem is defined
Don't use it when
  • –As a step-by-step method — it describes phases, not how to do them
  • –For a narrow usability question with a known problem

Needs

Discovery goal

Steps

  1. 1DiscoverDiverge on the problem space: gather what is known, talk to people, look at data. Avoid solutions.
  2. 2DefineConverge on a clear problem statement that the evidence supports.You review here
  3. 3DevelopDiverge on possible solutions to the defined problem.
  4. 4DeliverConverge on what to build or test, through small experiments.You review here

Produces

  • Problem statement→Finding
  • Chosen direction→Decision

Quality checks

  • ✓The Define phase ends with a problem, not a solution.
  • ✓Each convergence is backed by evidence from the preceding divergence.

Sources

Traceable to a Tier 1 source, or two independent Tier 2 sources.

Licence

Concept freely usable; the diagram and name are the Design Council's — attribute when reproducing.

Versions

  • v1.0.0 · 2026-10-03 · First structured definition
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