Methodology

A study runs a swappable methodology — Double Diamond is just one of them.

Available methodologies

A study runs a methodology — a sequence of phases that takes a question from broad exploration to a confident answer. Sonaloop ships several, and you can compose your own.

Double Diamond4 phases
Problem space (Discover fan -> Define waist) then solution space (Develop fan + prototype -> Deliver waist). Frame an ambiguous problem and take it to a buildable solution.
When: When you have a 'How Might We' question and want a rigorous problem framing plus a tested, buildable solution spec.
DiscoverDefineDevelopDeliver
Double Diamond (Deep)6 phases
The full design-thinking process as three linked diamonds: problem space (Discover broad -> Define key problems), solution exploration (Ideate broad + lo-fi -> down-select), solution refinement (mid-fi build -> Deliver tested solution presentation). Broad empathy, affinity clustering, and a lo-fi -> mid-fi fidelity ladder with real prototype tests.
When: When you want depth: many personas, broad problem exploration, clustered key problems, several lo-fi prototypes tested and down-selected, a refined mid-fi prototype tested, and a buildable solution presentation.
DiscoverDefineIdeate (Lo-Fi)Lo-Fi Test & Down-SelectRefine (Mid-Fi)Deliver (Solution Presentation)
Lean / Jobs-to-be-Done4 phases
Problem-explore (fan) -> Problem-pick (waist) -> Solution-explore (fan + prototype) -> Validate (waist). Lean-startup framing around the customer's job-to-be-done.
When: When you want to anchor on the customer's job, find the highest-value problem, then validate a minimal solution.
Problem ExploreProblem PickSolution ExploreValidate
d.school Micro-Cycle4 phases
Stanford d.school micro-cycle: Understand/Observe (fan) -> Define POV (waist) -> Ideate (fan + prototype) -> Prototype & Test (waist).
When: Human-centered design when you want empathy-first divergence and rapid prototype testing.
Understand & ObserveDefine POVIdeatePrototype & Test

The rhythm — via Double Diamond

Most methodologies share the same beat: diverge (explore broadly), then converge (to a decision). Double Diamond does it twice — once in the problem space, once in the solution space.

Diverge
Discover

Surface real, lived pains broadly across personas and angles. No solutions yet.

Converge
Define

Cluster the breadth into one core problem and a sharp Point-of-View.

Diverge
Develop

Generate several solution candidates and build one real, minimal prototype.

Converge
Deliver

Have personas use the prototype and converge to a buildable spec.

All methodologies share the same engine (frame → gather evidence → verify) — only the phases differ.

What you can ask for

Ready-made flows your agent can run directly — from a single council to a whole study.

Run a councilrun_council
Have the personas debate a topic, grounded in their memory.
Synthesizesynthesize
Iterate councils until there's enough insight — into one growing report.
Design-thinking projectdesign_thinking
Take a How-Might-We from an open question to a buildable spec.
Compose a research plancompose_research_plan
Hand over any research goal — the agent designs and runs the whole study.
open
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