If someone tells you, “Come up with a great idea,” your mind might go blank. It can be an overwhelming request.
But it doesn’t have to be. There’s a simple framework used by designers that can apply to any problem requiring a creative solution, says Allison Butler, a psychology professor and director of the Innovation and Design Experience for All program at Bryant University. 

Whether you want to impress your boss, invent a new product or start a successful business, Butler recommends a five-step method called “design thinking.” Executives at companies like Apple and Google have used this process, she says, and it can help anyone be more innovative. The steps include:
1. Research
2. Define
3. Ideate
4. Prototype
5. Test
Start with empathy by researching the person or people you’re aiming to help, Butler says. Try to get a better understanding of what they need from you in order to define the problem.
Next, brainstorm possible solutions and begin developing your idea. Create a “prototype,” or an initial concept, and ask other people for their thoughts and feedback to help hone it. Finally, test it out in the real world and see what happens.

For example, if your boss asks you to help address an issue, start with the first stage of design thinking: empathy. Get a clearer picture of their goals and frustrations in order to define the core problem. Then follow the steps with an open mind and be ready to iterate on what you find.
It’s “like a checklist,” says Butler. “Watch people, learn from them, craft insights, brainstorm great ideas [and] start to prototype.”  

CNBC