Designers, let’s talk: Are you maximizing your impact within the Double Diamond framework?
As I begin my new role and set up design workflows, I’m diving deep into design and product development processes.
💎 Like many successful product teams, I’ve adopted the Double Diamond approach in the past, which has served as an excellent foundation. I’ve experimented with various adaptations, adjusting the model to fit different settings, projects, and to better reflect the reality of our teams and workflows.
⚖️ I’m intrigued by the challenge design organizations face in striking a balance between pursuing unique, innovative, and creative solutions while simultaneously striving for efficiency, predictability, and excellence in execution.
💎 Despite its usefulness, the Double Diamond has presented some challenges, and I’ve discovered I’m not alone in exploring potential downsides (further reading in the comments: Edy Goulet and Sean Lynch from Metabase, José Torre from Shopify and Peter Merholz).
⚡️ Challenges include:
1️⃣ Merging Processes: Clear design guidance can be missing when design and product development processes combine.
2️⃣ Design Strategy: Many teams don’t include designers in the first diamond (strategy), often failing to maximize design’s full potential (I’m admittedly biased).
3️⃣ Timing: Due to time constraints or other reasons, teams might resort to taking shortcuts.
4️⃣ Starting Point: Teams with varying experience levels can struggle to find the right starting point in the process, particularly when not beginning from scratch.
5️⃣ Complexity: The process can become more complex as multiple functions contribute their input.
6️⃣ Team Alignment: Teams might have difficulty understanding their position in the process, leading to the appearance of compliance without truly adopting the approach.
🪐 As we strive to build better products and experiences, it’s essential to evolve our processes, learn from the challenges, and develop solutions that cater to the unique needs of our teams and projects.
🔮 I’m currently contemplating how to improve the process, or rather, how to complement it. I’m considering creating a playbook that offers better guidance on the design aspects of the process. I’ll keep you updated with a follow-up post.
✨ In my research, I’ve encountered various visualizations and adaptations of the Double Diamond and other processes. I’ve compiled a comprehensive overview that could be helpful or inspiring for others: