Learn about HCD

Human-Centered Design is a creative and iterative problem-solving approach that starts with people to design to context.

A collage of images from a workshop session featuring a day in the life diagram, co-creating visual prototypes on paper, brainstorming, and a feedback session. A collage of images from a workshop session featuring a day in the life diagram, co-creating visual prototypes on paper, brainstorming, and a feedback session.

Values

Be a good listener

Be participatory

Be creative

Be iterative

Be a good listener

Be participatory

Be creative

Be iterative

Be a good listener

Seek to understand the values and perspectives of your end users rather than prescribing a solution that is easier, cheaper, or perceived to be better by you. Be empathetic.

A group of women engage in a card sort activity.

The Three Lenses of HCD

Desirability
(Desired by users)

Feasibility
(Technically feasible)

Viability
(Viable in the market)

Desirability
(Desired by users)

Feasibility
(Technically feasible)

Viability
(Viable in the market)

Desirability (Desired by users)

What do users need and want? What are the drivers and barriers to adoption? What incentives drive their decisions? What is the entire user experience like, from the moment they are exposed to the solution to their ongoing use and maintenance? Who are the users that we are missing? Are we considering minorities and other underrepresented groups?

Desirability (Desired by users) Desirability (Desired by users)

The HCD Process: DISCOVER, CREATE, DELIVER

DISCOVER

CREATE

DELIVER

DISCOVER

CREATE

DELIVER

Why DISCOVER matters in WASH

First it's important to DISCOVER what people really desire, and reframe the problem through their eyes. This is often through a form of intensive research. This includes observing, listening to and learning about the needs, aspirations, barriers, and motivators of everyone involved. This phase ends with the development of design strategy and clear definition of the problem.