Product6 min readUpdated Feb 2025

Design Thinking Prompts: 30 Templates for Product Teams

Use these to run faster workshops across empathy, problem framing, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

Empathy → TestingWorkshop readyTool-assisted summaries
Ship artifacts faster
Simplify jargon and shareable summaries.
Empathy interview
Draft 5 user interview questions to uncover pain points about {{topic}}. Avoid leading questions; focus on stories and past behavior.
Problem statement
Write a crisp problem statement: “{{persona}} struggles with {{pain}} because {{root_cause}}. Success means {{outcome}}.” Output 3 options.
How might we…
Generate 5 “How might we” questions for {{problem}} that open multiple solution paths.
Crazy 8s ideation
List 8 distinct solution ideas for {{problem}}. Each in one sentence; avoid repeating patterns.
Assumption mapping
List key assumptions for {{idea}} and classify as Known/Unknown and High/Low risk. Output a 2x2 list.
User journey outline
Outline a user journey for {{persona}} achieving {{goal}}. Phases, steps, emotions, and friction points.
Prototype task script
Write a usability test script with 5 tasks for {{prototype}}. Include opening, tasks, and closing questions.
Debrief summary
Summarize usability findings: Top 3 issues, severity, evidence, and quick fixes.

How to use

FAQ

Can I use these in workshops?
Yes—print or paste into Miro/FigJam and timebox each exercise.
How detailed should prompts be?
Give context (persona, problem, stage). Specificity improves outputs.
Do I need examples?
For research scripts and problem statements, examples help the model mirror your style.