# Product design and development phases

In this chapter, we will dive into the details of the product design and development. We will discuss each phase, its objectives, how to set it up, and provide recommendations about tools to processes.

Some principles to keep in mind:

* Product design is not a linear process
* Product design is a never-ending process
* Product design is reliant on communication

<figure><img src="/files/mRccNi1EQa56SFdLplvr" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The steps and guidelines you will find this guide are recommendations based on our experience and the tools already developed and tested by our team. Although this process is flexible and every team and product will have specific needs, we recommend that you try to follow this guide as closely as possible. Whenever you find this icon \*🥇it means that this step is particularly important. We strongly recommend this step/sub-step be performed, as we believe it is a critical part of the process in creating long lasting products capable of delivering positive impact for product users.

0\. [Contracting](/the-catalpa-handbook/5.-project-and-product-cycle-management/5.4-post-contract-implementation/stage-2-create-and-ideate/the-guide/product-design-and-development-phases/0.-contracting.md)

1.[Learn](/the-catalpa-handbook/5.-project-and-product-cycle-management/5.4-post-contract-implementation/stage-2-create-and-ideate/the-guide/product-design-and-development-phases/1.-learn.md)

&#x20; 1.1 [Prepare](/the-catalpa-handbook/5.-project-and-product-cycle-management/5.4-post-contract-implementation/stage-2-create-and-ideate/the-guide/product-design-and-development-phases/1.-learn/1.1.-prepare.md)

&#x20; 1.2 [Discovery](/the-catalpa-handbook/5.-project-and-product-cycle-management/5.4-post-contract-implementation/discovey.md)

&#x20; 1.3 [Empathise](/the-catalpa-handbook/5.-project-and-product-cycle-management/5.4-post-contract-implementation/stage-2-create-and-ideate/the-guide/product-design-and-development-phases/1.-learn/1.3-empathise.md)

2\. [Create](/the-catalpa-handbook/5.-project-and-product-cycle-management/5.4-post-contract-implementation/stage-2-create-and-ideate/the-guide/product-design-and-development-phases/2.-create.md)

&#x20; 2.1 [Ideate](/the-catalpa-handbook/5.-project-and-product-cycle-management/5.4-post-contract-implementation/stage-2-create-and-ideate/the-guide/product-design-and-development-phases/2.-create/2.1-ideate.md)&#x20;

&#x20; 2.2 [Implement](/the-catalpa-handbook/5.-project-and-product-cycle-management/5.4-post-contract-implementation/stage-2-create-and-ideate/the-guide/product-design-and-development-phases/2.-create/2.2-implement.md)

3\. [Refine](/the-catalpa-handbook/5.-project-and-product-cycle-management/5.4-post-contract-implementation/stage-2-create-and-ideate/the-guide/product-design-and-development-phases/3.-refine.md)

&#x20; 3.1 Release

4\. [Evaluate](/the-catalpa-handbook/5.-project-and-product-cycle-management/5.4-post-contract-implementation/stage-2-create-and-ideate/the-guide/product-design-and-development-phases/4.-evaluate.md)

&#x20; 4.1 Maintenance


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