PROBLEM SOLVING • EMPATHY • COLLABORATION

Understand complex problems. Solve them together.

A practical, human-centred place to explore wicked problems, build empathy and develop the confidence to solve complex challenges through teamwork and the 5E Design Thinking Framework.
Explore the 5E Design Thinking Framework
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Design Thinking is not a tidy sequence of Post-IT notes.

It is a way of thinking, learning and making - grounded in people and strengthened through evidence.

The Original 5E Design Thinking Framework

Five stages. One evolving
understanding

The framework provides a memorable pathway through human-centred problem solving while preserving the movement, iteration and uncertainty of real collaborative work.

01

Engage

Listen before solving

Meet people in their context. Observe, ask and listen to uncover needs, behaviours and lived experience.

View Engage

02

Evaluate

Make sense of evidence

Find themes, tensions and relationships. Reframe the initial issue into a focused, actionable challenge.

View Evaluate

03

Explore

Open up possibilities

Generate and stretch ideas before judging them. Look for desirable, viable and feasible directions.

View Explore

04

Expand

Makes ideas tangible

Build prototypes at the right level of fidelity sopeople can see, experience and challenge the idea.

View Expand

05

Execute

Test, learn and improve

Put concepts in front of users. gather evidence, reflect, refine and prepare a path to implementation.

View Execute
DESIGN THINKING LEARNING HUB

Understand here. Apply in StrategyWorks.


Use the learning pathways to build understanding, then move into the StrategyWorks Design Thinking Studio to create, apply, save and download your work.

01 • GUIDED PATHWAY

Guided Project

Move through a structured design thinking project with practical prompts, evidence expectations and links to relevant tools.


Open Guided Project in StrategyWorks

02 • ASK AND LEARN

Ask Gilbert

Explore design thinking questions through a focused learning companion.

Open Ask Gilbert

03 • SHARED LANGUAGE

Glossary

Clarify terms, frameworks and methods as your project develops.

Open Glossary