This post comes to you from a client’s office, where we are taking a human-centered design approach to their workplace redesign.
Human-centered design is a methodology for devising successful design solutions. It is commonly used in design and management frameworks to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process.
Our unique approach to workplace strategy is to use human-centred design to help leaders create workplaces that inspire their people to contribute their best work.
Why do we find human-centred design a particularly good fit for workplace design? Workplaces comprise two key parts: the workspace and the workforce. When we focus on end-users from the very beginning and throughout the iteration, you get end-users who have a product that satisfies their needs. And workplace satisfaction has a significant effect on attraction, retention and commitment.
With this client, we have used human-centred design to give people choice about their workspace design and ways of working. Normally people are extremely hesitant about major office changes and a significant number of people can find new ways of working quite challenging.
We are just about to launch the prototype in a week and almost everyone across the site is curious, interested and open minded, even excited about what the prototyping period will be like. As they’ve been involved, part of conversations, they feel heard and have the beginning of a sense of ownership. And we’ve been able to build solutions that work well in their new reality.
The prototype trial will help us iron out the kinks, so we can be sure that the final design and ways of working make the highest possible contribution to their workplace satisfaction.
The people at this site are doing important work, they deserve to work in a workplace that inspires them.
To find out more about what human-centred design could offer you, schedule an Information Call today to find out more.
