Which stage is NOT part of the design thinking process?

In the design thinking process, stages such as Empathize, Define, and Prototype are key components that guide teams through understanding users, framing the right problems, and iteratively developing solutions. The Empathize stage focuses on understanding user needs and experiences through research and observation. The Define stage involves synthesizing insights gathered during empathy work to clarify the problem to be solved. The Prototype stage allows teams to create tangible representations of ideas to test and refine solutions.

Documenting, while an essential activity in design projects for maintaining records and providing clarity, is not formally recognized as a distinct stage in the design thinking process. It's more of a supportive task that may occur throughout the design process rather than a dedicated phase. Thus, recognizing that "Document" does not align with the structured stages of design thinking clarifies why this option is the one that does not belong.