Creating creativity: a roadmap with the double diamond approach

Learning the Double Diamond strategy

The Double Diamond Strategy is like a roadmap for creative problem solving. It is divided into four stages: discover, define, develop and deliver. Each step plays a major role in ensuring that we achieve our goal and keep our users in mind.

Imagine two diamonds side by side, each with four important phases:

The left diamond, discover and define, is all about making sure we are moving in the right direction - finding the best ideas with the most potential. We like to call this the digital transformation phase.

• In discovering, we let our minds run wild and explore all the nooks and crannies of the problem. Think of it as casting a wide net, collecting all possibilities (divergent thinking).
• Then comes the define phase. This is where we sift through all these ideas to find the real core of the problem. It's all about narrowing things down and getting a laser-like focus (convergent thinking).

On the right side we have develop and deliver - where the magic happens. This is our continuous approach.

• ‍Develop is the brainstorming phase. We throw out ideas like confetti to see what sticks and what doesn't.
• Finally, in the Deliver phase, we polish those ideas and make sure they shine. It's about narrowing down our options and picking the winner.

In the divergence phase, we look outside our bubble, take in the world around us and think big. We are not afraid to get a little wild with our ideas. In the convergence phase, we move on, picking out the best bits and focusing our efforts.

Our unique Double Diamond strategy

It's actually like a dance. We use the second diamond while still keeping one foot in the first. So in the "digital transformation" part (first diamond), we have "discover" and "define. But then, in the 'continuous approach' (both the first and second diamonds), we circle back to the milestones from the first diamond. It's all about overlap and synergy.

The digital transformation phase

This phase is all about bringing in the dream team. We have people like a digital transformation guru, a business expert and a design wizard. Each brings their own flavor to the mix. And we don't just stop at Lemon; we involve our clients as well. It's like a communal dinner of brainpower.

Phase 1: discover - let's dive in

This is where the magic begins. We roll up our sleeves and get to the core. It's about getting inside the heads and hearts of our clients. We're like detectives, sniffing for clues and finding out what drives them. And what cool tools we use, such as Customer Journey Mapping.

Phase 2: define - shaping our vision

Now it's time to get creative. We sit around the table and let the ideas flow. We are like sculptors, chiseling until we find the perfect shape. We dig deep into the problem and try to look at it from all sides. And hey, we have our own secret weapon: Design thinking workshops.

At the end of this phase, we have a roadmap. It is like a treasure map that leads us to our goals. But it's not just about the destination; it's also about the journey. We have milestones marked along the way, like little checkpoints to keep us on track.

The continuous approach: more than just Agile

The roadmap we lay out is not set in stone; it is more like a living, breathing thing. Each milestone unfolds gradually, one after another, keeping everything running smoothly and steadily. We like to keep our strategy flexible, split into two stages that bend and move with us during the process, ready to adapt to whatever comes our way.

Flexible Phase 1: Getting Started with Analysis & Design (Discovery): Building on what we learned in the digital transformation phase, we work through each milestone and turn ideas into real, tangible products. This means connecting the dots, defining what success looks like, and creating mockups to see our ideas in action.

Flexible Phase 2: Build (define) a strong architecture: We don't just throw anything together. We take the time to create a solid technical plan and make sure everything fits together just right. It's like building a house; you need a good foundation if you want it to stand firm.

We don't just follow a set path; it's all about cycles. We analyze, design, build, test and adjust, all in a continuous loop. Each cycle brings us closer to our goals, allowing us to adjust and adapt along the way. It's a journey, not a sprint.

Phase 3: develop - bringing ideas to life

Now comes the fun part - turning our ideas into action. We work together as a team, building, testing and tweaking until we get it just right. It's all about trial and error, learning by doing and getting better with each iteration. And we have some cool tools to help us do that, like Prototyping. It's like making a rough draft before writing the final version.

Phase 4: deliver - sharing our passion

In the delivery phase, we have to make tough decisions. We choose the ideas that have the biggest impact and make sure they are not only cool but also practical. And before we plunge into development, we take a step back and create a prototype. It's like a test run, which gives us a chance to fix any problems before we go all in.

But our journey doesn't end there. We are all about continuous improvement, always looking for ways to make things better. We listen to feedback, analyze data and continue to strive for excellence. It's not just about achieving our goals; it's about constantly pushing ourselves to be the best we can be.

How to put the DD strategy into action

Using the Double Diamond Strategy is simple and straightforward. We start by getting to know our audience inside and out (Discovery). Then we put our heads together and come up with a game plan (Definition). Next, we roll up our sleeves and get to work (Development). Finally, we share our creations with the world (Delivery). It's not rocket science; it's just old-fashioned hard work and creativity.