Innovation is messy. If you’ve ever tried to solve a problem whether in design, business, or product development – you’ve probably felt the chaos firsthand.
That’s why frameworks exist. They’re like cheat codes for breaking down problems and turning ideas into real-world solutions. One of the most popular frameworks for innovation is the Double Diamond, which has been around since 2005. But as businesses and industries evolved, it became clear that the Double Diamond was missing something.
Enter the Triple Diamond Framework – an upgraded approach to innovation, systems thinking, and strategic design.
But where did it come from? Why did we go from two diamonds to three? And how does this new framework solve modern challenges better than its predecessor?
Let’s break it all down.
Step 1: The Double Diamond – A Great Start, But Not Enough
Before we talk about the Triple Diamond, we need to go back to its roots – the Double Diamond Framework.
In 2005, the UK Design Council introduced the Double Diamond as a simple way to structure the design thinking process. It divided innovation into four stages:
- Discover – Research and deeply understand the problem.
- Define – Narrow down the focus and decide what problem to solve.
- Develop – Brainstorm, prototype, and test possible solutions.
- Deliver – Implement, refine, and launch the best solution.
This worked well for a while. It helped teams follow a structured path from problem to solution.
But then something happened. Innovation changed.
The world became more complex. Businesses weren’t just designing products – they were building ecosystems, services, and strategies. They weren’t just solving simple user problems – they were tackling global challenges like climate change, AI ethics, and digital transformation.
The Double Diamond wasn’t broken, but it was missing something critical.
Step 2: The Problem With the Double Diamond
If you’ve ever tried to solve a problem using the Double Diamond, you might have noticed some blind spots.
1. It Focused on Execution, Not Strategy
The Double Diamond was great for designers and product teams, but it didn’t help business leaders connect design to long-term strategy.
Companies needed a framework that aligned innovation with business goals, industry trends, and long-term impact – not just one that led to a final product.
2. It Didn’t Handle Complex, System-Wide Problems
The real world isn’t simple. Most modern challenges are interconnected.
For example:
- If you design an eco-friendly product, but manufacturing still pollutes – did you really solve the problem?
- If you create a new healthcare app, but it doesn’t integrate with hospital systems – is it actually useful?
- If you launch a new AI tool, but it has bias issues – will people trust it?
The Double Diamond wasn’t built for multi-layered, systemic problems like these.
3. It Wasn’t Flexible Enough for Fast-Moving Industries
Technology and business move fast. By the time a product goes through all four stages of the Double Diamond, the market may have changed.
Companies needed a way to stay agile, adapt, and make sure they were always solving the right problem at the right time.
Step 3: Why the Triple Diamond Was Created
By the 2010s, innovation experts and business strategists realized that the Double Diamond wasn’t enough.
They started asking big questions:
📌 How do we make this process more adaptable?
📌 How do we connect innovation to long-term success?
📌 How do we ensure solutions actually work in real-world systems?
The answer? A third diamond.
This extra diamond wasn’t about adding more steps – it was about solving problems more effectively.
| Framework | Focus | Main Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Double Diamond | Problem-solving & Execution | Lacks long-term strategic thinking |
| Triple Diamond | Strategy, problem-solving, execution | Aligns innovation with big-picture systems thinking |
Step 4: How the Triple Diamond Works
So, what does this third diamond add?
💎 Diamond 1: Framing the Problem (Strategy & Systems Thinking)
- Before jumping into solutions, teams must zoom out and understand the bigger system.
- This means looking at business goals, market trends, and external forces that might influence the problem.
- It ensures that teams don’t waste time solving the wrong problem.
💎 Diamond 2: Problem-Solving (Classic Double Diamond: Discover & Define)
- Once the right problem is identified, teams use research and design thinking to find insights and define a clear challenge.
- This phase is about user-centered design – ensuring that solutions actually address real needs.
💎 Diamond 3: Execution & Impact (Develop & Deliver, Plus Real-World Integration)
- This phase isn’t just about launching a product – it’s about making sure it actually works in real-world systems.
- It answers critical questions:
- How does this solution fit into the bigger picture?
- Will it still work in 5 years?
- Can it scale across different markets and industries?
- Instead of just handing off a design, this phase ensures that solutions drive lasting change.
Step 5: Who Created the Triple Diamond?
Unlike the Double Diamond, which was officially introduced by the UK Design Council, the Triple Diamond evolved naturally as industries faced more complex problems.
Several influences helped shape it:
- Systems Thinking – Understanding how problems connect within larger systems.
- Business Strategy – Aligning innovation with company goals and market needs.
- Agile & Lean – Moving faster and iterating based on real-world feedback.
- Human-Centered Design – Ensuring that solutions actually help users.
The Triple Diamond wasn’t invented by one person – it was developed because companies, designers, and strategists needed a better way to solve problems.
Step 6: Why the Triple Diamond Matters
If you work in design, business, product development, or strategy, the Triple Diamond is essential because:
✅ It connects design with business strategy – No more working in silos. This framework helps teams align creative work with business goals.
✅ It forces long-term thinking – Instead of just focusing on quick wins, it ensures that solutions stay relevant and scalable.
✅ It works for big, complex challenges – Today’s problems can’t be solved with a simple 4-step process. The Triple Diamond helps teams design for the future.
✅ It’s flexible – Unlike rigid methods, this framework lets teams adjust, iterate, and refine their approach as they learn more.
Final Thoughts:
The Triple Diamond Framework wasn’t created in a lab – it was developed because people needed a better way to solve problems.
Today, it’s used by startups, enterprises, governments, and non-profits to tackle big challenges.
And just like innovation evolves, the Triple Diamond will continue to improve as companies face new challenges.
If you’re serious about design, innovation, or business growth, learning the Triple Diamond is non-negotiable.