If design was just about brainstorming solutions and tinkering with prototypes then work would feel a lot simpler. *wink* The reality is that there are plenty of other tasks that a designer should be involved in.
As the value of user-centered design becomes more realized, the more designers (and companies) will have to face the fact that creating products and services goes beyond sitting and making things.
A beautiful design process is probably interpreted by each designer in a different way and may also vary based on the type of product or team setting. If your team is already focused on creating designs from a user-centered approach some of the points shared here shouldn't be too surprising.
Key elements include getting the right skill sets and knowledge experts involved. This method can't be performed alone; it requires getting other moving parts, aside from the designer, to play their role and seek a similar vision--stakeholders, clients, engineering teams, etc.
Here a small, comprehensive list of what and when things might take place to allow for a collaborative and impactful design process when designing a product or a service.
How do your stakeholders perceive the design process? Engineers? It is important to have all players aligned.