Table of Contents
Design Thinking isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a repeatable, human-centered process for solving complex problems. Whether you’re redesigning a hospital experience or launching a new app, the right framework can turn chaos into clarity. In this post, you’ll get 7 battle-tested Design Thinking frameworks, complete with real-world examples, templates, and a printable cheat sheet.
1. The Classic 5-Stage d.school (Stanford) Model
The gold standard. Taught in universities and used by IDEO, this flexible framework works for everything from startups to social impact projects.
| Stage | Goal | Key Activities | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Empathize | Understand users deeply | Interviews, observation, empathy maps | Empathy Map, Interview Guide |
| 2. Define | Synthesize into a clear problem | Persona, POV statement, HMW questions | POV Madlib, HMW Canvas |
| 3. Ideate | Generate quantity > quality | Brainstorm, Crazy 8s, SCAMPER | Post-its, Miro, Voting dots |
| 4. Prototype | Build to think | Paper sketches, role-play, low-fi mockups | Figma, Cardboard |
| 5. Test | Learn what works | Usability test, feedback grid | Feedback Capture Grid |
Quick-Start Template (POV Madlib):[User] needs [need] because [insight].
→ HMW: How Might We…
2. Double Diamond (British Design Council)
Visualizes the diverge → converge rhythm of creative work. Perfect for strategic projects.
Discover ➞ Define ➞ Develop ➞ Deliver
↘ ↘ ↘ ↘
(Diverge) (Converge) (Diverge) (Converge)
| Phase | Mindset | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Discover | Open exploration | Ethnographic research in hospitals |
| Define | Synthesize & prioritize | Problem framing workshop |
| Develop | Iterative solutions | Rapid prototyping sprints |
| Deliver | Finalize & launch | Pilot in 3 clinics → scale |
3. IBM Design Thinking (Enterprise Loop)
Built for scale. Introduces “Hills” (measurable goals) and continuous user feedback.
- Hills:
As a [user]… I want to [action]… so that [outcome]. - Sponsor Users: Real users in every loop
- Playbacks: Weekly stakeholder demos
4. Google Design Sprint (5 Days)
Need answers fast? This is your framework. One week from idea to tested prototype.
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Mon | Map & Target (HMW + voting) |
| Tue | Sketch (Crazy 8s, Solution Sketch) |
| Wed | Decide (Heatmap vote, Storyboard) |
| Thu | Prototype (Fake it till you make it) |
| Fri | Test (5 users, 1:1 interviews) |
Output: Validated prototype in one week.
5. Lego Serious Play (LSP) for Ideation
Hands-on, metaphor-driven. Great for remote teams using virtual whiteboards.
- Build: 3D models answering a prompt
- Share: Explain the metaphor
- Reflect: Group insights → shared model
6. Service Design Blueprint
Maps the entire user journey—frontstage and backstage.
| Layer | Content |
|---|---|
| User Actions | What the user does |
| Frontstage | Visible touchpoints |
| Backstage | Internal processes |
| Support | Systems & tools |
7. Lean UX Cycle
Integrates with Agile. Hypothesis-driven and metric-focused.
Think → Make → Check
↑ ↓
Validate → Learn
Comparison: Which Framework Should You Use?
| Framework | Best For | Duration | Team Size | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| d.school 5-Stage | Learning, education | 1–8 weeks | 3–7 | Low → High |
| Double Diamond | Strategic projects | 4–12 weeks | 5–12 | Low → High |
| Google Sprint | Fast validation | 5 days | 5–7 | Medium |
| IBM Loop | Enterprise scale | Ongoing | 6–10 | High |
| Lean UX | Product teams | 1–2 week cycles | 2–5 | Low |
Your One-Page Design Thinking Cheat Sheet
# DESIGN THINKING CHEAT SHEET
## 1. EMPATHIZE
[ ] 6 interviews [ ] Empathy Map [ ] Shadowing
## 2. DEFINE
[User] needs [need] because [insight]
→ HMW: ___________________________
## 3. IDEATE
[ ] Crazy 8s [ ] SCAMPER [ ] 100 ideas in 20 min
## 4. PROTOTYPE
[ ] Sketch / Paper / Figma / Cardboard
## 5. TEST
[ ] 5 users [ ] Feedback Grid [ ] “I like / I wish / What if”
REPEAT 🔄
Pro Tips to Run Any Framework
- Start with “Why” – Link every activity to a user need.
- Diverge before you converge – No critique in ideation.
- Prototype fast, fail cheap – 1 hour > 1 week.
- Always test with real people – 5 users = 85% of insights.
- Document assumptions – Turn them into experiments.
🚀 Ready to run a sprint? Download the free Miro template pack or reply below with your favorite framework—I’ll send you a facilitator script!