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Design thinking process usually involves the following key stages:

1. Empathise – Understand the User
Before solving a problem, it's essential to deeply understand the people facing it. This stage
involves observing, engaging, and empathising with users to understand their needs, emotions, and
challenges.

Example: A team working on improving healthcare in rural Pakistan visited villages to interact with
women who lacked access to doctors. They listened to their struggles and understood cultural and
logistical barriers.

2. Define – Identify the Core Problem

Based on the empathy findings, define a clear and concise problem statement that reflects the user's
needs.
Example: After their visits, the team defined the problem as:

"Rural women in Pakistan lack access to qualified female doctors due to cultural norms and distance
from health centres."

3. Ideate – Generate Creative Solutions
Now it's time to brainstorm and come up with as many ideas as possible—without judging them. This
encourages out-of-the-box thinking.

Example: The team brainstormed ideas like:

Mobile clinics
Female health ambassadors in villages

Telemedicine using smartphones

They selected the idea of a telehealth platform as the most feasible and impactful.
4. Prototype – Build a Simple Version

Develop a basic, scaled-down version of the solution that users can test and interact with.

Example: They created an initial prototype: a simple mobile app for video consultations with female
doctors, supported by a local nurse using a tablet.

5. Test – Try It Out with Real Users
Let real users interact with the prototype. Gather feedback to understand what works, what doesn’t,
and how it can be improved.

Example: In pilot villages, women used the app. Feedback showed issues like poor internet connectivity,
privacy concerns, and a confusing interface. The team used this feedback to improve the app's language
options, interface, and privacy features.

6. Reflect – Analyse What You Learned

Reflect on the feedback and outcomes of testing. Ask what went well, what surprised you, and what
must change.

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