After reading multiple methods from Bootcamp Bootleg and the Design Kit for assisting in the define phase of the design thinking process, I settled on using Point of View Madlib and Design Principles to help me on my way.
The ‘Define’ phase is the second phase of design thinking, where all the knowledge gained from the ‘Empathize’ phase is synthesized into defining the user’s need. In the first phase, I created two composite character profiles to personify the typical end-user and the extreme user in my work context. I named our characters Jason and Howard.
Imagining the plights of Jason and Howard helped me to form Design Principles – strategic, actionable directives grown from empathy that are helpful to keep in mind for staying on the track to an effective design solution (Stanford University Institute of Design, 2016). My Design Principles for this project:
- Begin with an open mind.
- Listen to users, embrace constructive criticism and ideas for improvement.
- Be on the lookout for key themes.
- Be Respectful of the busy-adult-learners’ time—facilitate user-friendliness.
- Think long-term—plan for future users as well as current users.
- Always be open to evolution—the process is a journey, not a destination.
- Give workers the type of digital learning experience that Jason and Howard could appreciate.
Point of View Madlib is basically a template for constructing a problem statement in the Define phase. It goes like this:
“[USER] needs to [USER’S NEED] because [SURPRISING INSIGHT]” (Stanford University Institute of Design, 2016).
Below is the product of my Point of View Madlib for this project:
Transient contract workers need an easy and mobile-friendly way of completing paperwork for online training because it is respectful of users’ time and peace of mind, and also because it is beneficial for the organization to retain skillful, happy workers who have many other choices of places to work.
References
IDEO. (2015). Design Kit – Methods. Retrieved from http://www.designkit.org/methods
Stanford University Institute of Design. (2016). Bootcamp Bootleg. Retrieved from http://dschool-old.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/METHODCARDS-v3-slim.pdf