I am paraphrasing Jeff Sutherland that said the real enemy of Scrum was not Waterfall but "bad Scrum".
How can we recognize bad product design? When it uses easy recipes and step-by-step processes that don't match the reality. In this case, design thinking/double diamond is an example of a flawed approach common in Product (and Service) Design.
Why Design Thinking (DT)/Double Diamond give Product Design a bad name (Bon Jovi feelings 🎵)?
Over-simplification of Complex Problems:
DT can sometimes reduce intricate issues into oversimplified problems, leading to surface-level solutions that don't address the root cause.
Linear Process:
Although DT is often represented as non-linear, in practice, many teams interpret it as step-by-step guides. Real-world problems often require iterative, cyclical, and overlapping approaches.
Over-reliance on Workshops:
Heavy reliance on brainstorming sessions and workshops can sometimes prioritize group consensus over innovative or disruptive ideas. This can lead to design by committee, where the safest ideas are chosen over the best ones.
Lack of Depth:
Critics argue that DT can lead to shallow research, where designers rely too heavily on rapid prototyping and quick feedback without delving deep into the user's context and environment.
Commercialization and Trendiness:
As DT became popular, many organizations adopted it as a buzzword without truly understanding what is real Design. This can lead to a checkbox mentality, where steps are followed for the sake of following them, not to derive genuine insights.
Not Always Applicable:
Not every problem requires a Design Thinking approach. Using this for every issue can be like using a hammer for every job, even when it's not the right tool.
Creates a False Sense of User-Centricity:
Just because a team uses DT doesn't mean the outcome will be user-centric. There's a risk of teams believing they're user-focused when they've only engaged with a tiny fraction of their actual user base.
Lack of Criticality:
By always seeking to empathize with users, designers might neglect to critically assess whether the user's desires are ethically or environmentally sound.
What is better than design thinking/double diamond?
Your thinking. Don't copy the thinking style of others.
Be authentic and learn to create your own processes.