Crafting Creativity: A Roadmap with the Double Diamond Approach

1. Getting to Know the Double Diamond Strategy

The Double Diamond Strategy is like a roadmap for creative problem-solving. It's split into four phases: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. Each step plays a big part in making sure we're hitting the mark and keeping our users in mind.

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

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The left diamond, Discover and Define, is all about making sure we're heading in the right direction - finding the best ideas with the most potential. We like to call this the digital transformation phase.

• Discover is when we let our minds roam free, exploring every nook and cranny of the problem. Think of it as casting a wide net, gathering up all the possibilities (divergent thinking).
• Then comes the Define phase. Here, we sift through all those ideas to find the real heart of the issue. It's all about narrowing things down and getting laser-focused (convergent thinking).

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On the right side, we have Develop and Deliver - where the magic happens. This is our Continual Approach.

• Develop is the brainstorming stage. We throw out ideas like confetti, seeing what sticks and what falls flat.
• Finally, in the Deliver phase, we polish up those ideas, making sure they shine bright. It's about narrowing down our options and picking the winner.

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In the divergence phase, we look outside our bubble, soaking in the world around us, and thinking big. We're not afraid to get a little wild with our ideas.

Convergence is when we get down to business, picking out the best bits and focusing our efforts.

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2. Our Unique Double Diamond Strategy

It's like a dance, really. We use the second diamond while still keeping a foot in the first one. So, in the 'digital transformation' part (first diamond), we have Discover and Define. But then, in the 'continual approach' (both first and second diamond), we circle back to the milestones set in the first diamond. It's all about overlap and synergy.

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2.1 The Digital Transformation Phase

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‘Alone, our capabilities are limited, but together, we can achieve remarkable feats!

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In this phase, it's all about bringing in the dream team. We've got folks like a digital transformation guru, a business whiz, and a design magician. Each one brings their own flavor to the mix. Plus, we don't just stop at Lemon; we rope in our clients too. It's like a shared dinner of brainpower.

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Phase 1: Discover - Let's Dive In

This is where the magic begins. We roll up our sleeves and get down to the nitty-gritty. It's about getting into the heads and hearts of our customers. We're like detectives, sniffing out clues and figuring out what makes them tick. And boy, do we use some cool tools, like Customer Journey Mapping.

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Phase 2: Define - Crafting Our Vision

Now it's time to get creative. We gather 'round the table and let the ideas fly. We're like sculptors, chiseling away until we find the perfect shape. We dig deep into the problem, trying to see it from every angle. And hey, we've got our own secret weapon: Design thinking workshops.

By the end of this phase, we've got a roadmap. It's like a treasure map, leading us to our goals. But it's not just about the destination; it's about the journey too. We've got milestones marked along the way, like little checkpoints to keep us on track.

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2.2 The Continual Approach: More Than Just Agile

The roadmap we lay out isn't set in stone; it's more like a living, breathing thing. Each milestone unfolds gradually, one after the other, keeping things smooth and steady. We like to keep our strategy flexible, split into two phases that bend and flex as we go, ready to adapt to whatever comes our way.

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Flexible Phase 1: Getting Down to Analysis & Design (Discover): Building on what we've learned in the digital transformation phase, we flesh out each milestone, turning ideas into real, tangible products. This means getting into the nitty-gritty, defining what success looks like, and creating mockups that let us see our ideas in action.

‍Flexible Phase 2: Building a Strong Architecture (Define): We don't just throw things together ad-hoc. We take the time to craft a solid technical plan, making sure everything fits together just right. It's like building a house; you need a good foundation if you want it to stand tall.

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

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Phase 3: Develop - Bringing Ideas to Life

Now comes the fun part - putting 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 as we go and getting better with each iteration. And we've got some pretty cool tools to help us out, like Prototyping. It's like putting together a rough draft before writing the final version.

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Phase 4: Deliver - Sharing our Passion

As we move into the delivery phase, we have to make some tough decisions. We pick the ideas that pack the biggest punch, making sure they're not just cool but also practical. And before we dive headfirst into development, we take a step back and create a prototype. It's like a test run, giving us a chance to iron out any kinks before we go all in.

But our journey doesn't stop there. We're all about continuous improvement, always looking for ways to make things better. We listen to feedback, analyze data, and never stop striving for excellence. It's not just about reaching our goals; it's about constantly pushing ourselves to be the best we can be.

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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 good old-fashioned hard work and creativity.

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Ready to join us on this journey?

Drop us a line at elias@lemon.be to learn more. Let's make something amazing together!

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