The divergence phase of the design process is critical.  Careful attention to this phase only increases the confidence our clients have in their resulting plan.

In our IT Planning process, divergence includes a "priority analysis," where we find what is most important in the problems and opportunities we have defined.  It usually results in searching for alternative software solutions, or network configurations, etc. 

We have research experts on our staff who are masters at quickly finding alternatives.  The more choices you have, the stronger your solution.  Our procurement experts understand the negotiation advantages inherent in this.  Our information architects understand the operational advantages of this, and our network engineers understand the technical benefits.

Once we have a consensus that we have enough alternative solutions, we will then move on to the selection phase of the design process.