UX Design Thinking Process

Design Thinking is a design methodology that provides a solution-based approach to solving problems. It is very crucial in tackling complex problems that are unknown or ill-defined.
By understanding various stages of the design thinking process, it will be helpful to apply design thinking procedures in solving day-to-day complex problems.

Design Thinking process can be understood from following Diagram.

The five stages of Design Thinking, according to d.school, are as follows:

i. Empathize 

ii. Define

iii. Ideate

iv. Prototype

v. Test

1. Empathizing The Problem

Understanding the problems of User

The initial stage of Design thinking process is trying to empathize the problem or needs of the system. In simple words this process can be explained as to assume the problems faced by the users.
This process can be stated as the core part of the design thinking process, because if we cannot understand the problem the solution cannot be found.
For understanding the problem more efficiently user research can be done. There are multiple ways to empathize the problem using user research such as.

• Creating user storyboards
• Conducting contextual interviews
• First click testing of user
• Conducting Individual Interviews
• creating user personas
• Use cases
• Conducting surveys

How To Empathize?

One of the simplest ways for empathizing the problem is to understanding the problems of the user. For this purpose the user research can be done. User research is nothing but generating the information about user. The information can be of various type such as user personal information, user demographic background, users approach towards the system, what user thinks about the system, what  user expect from the system etc.

In short understanding the user's expectations from the system.

1. Observe:  View users and their behavior in the context of their lives. As much as possible. Do observations in relevant contexts in addition to interviews. Some of the most powerful realizations come from noticing a disconnect between what someone says and what he does. 

2. Engage: Many times this term can be referred as Interviewing, but for the better results this should be a two way communication. Engaging with the users can provide the better aspect of user requirements.

3. Watch and Listen: In this process we need to combine both observation and the engagement with the user, sometimes it may happen that user may have the better perspective than us as a designer.

This are the various techniques in empathizing the problem.