Divergent & Convergent Thinking

A design manager must skillfully navigate the often-contradictory demands of creativity and practicality. Divergent and convergent thinking are essential tools in this process.

Divergent thinking allows the exploration of a wide range of possibilities, brainstorming without constraint. This helps to generate innovative ideas and break free from conventional thinking. Considering diverse perspectives and experimenting with different approaches, unexpected solutions, that might otherwise be overlooked, can be uncovered.

Once the initial brainstorming phase is complete, convergent thinking refines thoughts. Generated ideas are carefully evaluated, considering factors such as feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with goals. Through further analysis and prioritisation, options can be narrowed down and the most promising selected to move forward.

The Diverge-and-Converge Technique for UX WorkshopsNielsen Norman Group