{"id":48334,"date":"2024-05-28T17:36:51","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T12:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techjockey.com\/blog\/?p=48334"},"modified":"2025-04-28T13:12:39","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T07:42:39","slug":"design-thinking-stages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techjockey.com\/blog\/design-thinking-stages","title":{"rendered":"Empathy to Execution: A Practical Journey through Design Thinking Stages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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As a part of the project, we have been researching and working on Design Thinking for quite some time. But after a while, it started to feel a bit tiring and monotonous, and we didn\u2019t want to bore our readers with the same old examples that everyone talks about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, to make things more interesting, we decided to show our readers how Design Thinking actually works in real life through different stages.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then what?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without wasting any time, we asked our product team to help us with the same. They agreed to our request and demonstrated how Design Thinking works in a real-life situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For that, they organized a meeting where everyone on the team came together to brainstorm, argue, and come up with creative solutions. The entire process was exciting and led to the desired outcome with some insightful results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s try to breakdown stages of \u2018Design Thinking\u2019 with the help of a real-life case study we performed internally in our organization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Scenario: Product team of a Software marketplace wants to achieve the Goal \u2018Sell Software Online\u2019 <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Design<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Part of the Meeting\u2013 Product Lead, Sr PM, Internal sales representative (the one who had customer insights from speaking with multiple potential customers)<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Case Study:<\/strong> With a common vision of redefining the online software buying experience for users, our team decided to work on a challenge.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their goal? To modify the transaction pages, infusing them with the right information in a way that captivates and guides every visitor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We leveraged the power of Design Thinking to transform this challenge into opportunity with a blend of innovation and creativity.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at how we incorporate design thinking to improve our transaction pages.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Stage 1: Empathize with Users<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Design<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Our team embarked on a thrilling new challenge to supercharge traffic on our transaction pages. Let\u2019s get the inside scoop on how we did it by leveraging the power of design thinking.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s start! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a whiteboard in hand and a mission to revolutionize online shopping experience for buying software, we were ready to walk in our customers’ shoes to uncover their true needs.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s dive into our first phase\u2014empathize,\u201d our Product lead began. He added, \u201cWe truly need to understand our customers. What have we learned so far?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Senior Product Manager, eager to lead the charge, shared some intriguing insights into our customers’ buying behavior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHere\u2019s what we\u2019ve discovered,\u201d he began, \u201cOur customers are looking for more than just a credible and secure platform. They\u2019re seeking additional benefits beyond what Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) offer.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur customers often feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of product choices. They\u2019re not just looking for products\u2014they\u2019re looking for guidance.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The team was quite intrigued by these revelations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this was not all! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What else did we get?   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur customers demand not only the right price but also robust post-purchase support.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These insights truly became the stepping stones for us to define the core problem and drive innovation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Final Empathize Wall <\/strong> <\/td>Key Takeaways <\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
\u201cNo value addition of a platform vs OEM\u201d 

\u201cSoftware at the right price+ support\u201d  

\u201cTrust issues\u201d   

\u201cWhich plan is best for me?\u201d  

\u201cWhich product should I buy?\u201d  

\u201cIs it a even trustable platform?\u201d <\/td>		Where were we going wrong? <\/strong><\/em>

Initially, we were going in the wrong direction. This is because instead of focusing on \u2018what customers want\u2019. We focused on \u2018their pain-points\u2019.
  1. Keep your assumptions aside!<\/li>
  2. Think from the customers\u2019 perspective.<\/li>
  3. Take ample time to work on this stage as it is the most crucial phase of Design Thinking as it forms the base for the next phases.<\/li><\/ol><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With a blend of curiosity and determination, we stepped into stage 2 to get to the core of the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Keep reading to find out how we did it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/span>Stage 2: Define the Problem Statement<\/strong> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    After an invigorating discussion during the \u2018Empathize\u2019 stage, our team advanced to the \u2018Define\u2019 phase. By leveraging the insights, we gathered in stage 1, we were able to pinpoint the key paramount problems faced by our customers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our team lead started holding the marker, \u201cOkay team, let\u2019s highlight the major challenges we\u2019ve discovered.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our Product Manager started, \u201cVague Requirements is the biggest issue. He added, our users have trouble to clearly define their needs and requirements.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Next,  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Another member pointed out that, \u201cWe also have complicated features. The software’s features and modules are quite complex to understand.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our Senior Product Manager while writing on the board highlighted one more issue, he added, \u201cUsers are hesitant to trust our platform due to lack of social validation, low brand recognition, and no credibility checks.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Last but not least, they also find out that customers want competitive pricing and fast customers’ service.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After that, our Product Lead, concluded the session on stage 2 and added, \u201cGreat, we\u2019ve clearly articulated our four key problems.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let’s look at the core problems that our team will work up in the \u201cIdeate\u201d <\/strong>stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n