The Four Stages Of Contextual Design

Contextual Design

Traditionally products or solutions are designed based on a single bright idea that an individual comes up with and then the product is built and then the search for a market to sell a product begins. The problem therefore is that solutions that are designed should fit with a customer’s other systems and existing ways of working, be easy to use and should solve their problem. Contextual design provides a solution for this challenge.

Contextual development is an approach where multiple customer–centered techniques are collected into an integrated design process. It is based off a commitment to understanding one’s consumer and business.Contextual design focusses on how data is gathered, the design process and how the team and

The next important stage is to check up on progress along with the customer to ensure that progress is on the right track. Contextual design has a well-defined process whereby interpersonal issues are taken into account and there are well-established procedures that help a team decide between design alternatives based on the data. Members of a team have well-defined roles that help increase efficiency.

Stages of Contextual Design

1) Contextual Enquiry: In this stage it is important to understand the customer, his needs and how they work every day. Interviews should be conducted as customers work. The team then discusses their unique perspectives of the data so that they develop a shared view of their customers.

2) Work Modelling: At times understanding a customer’s work can be complex when multiple departments of an organization are involved. In such scenarios work models or diagrams can be created to get an idea of what work is being

In such a scenario all individual diagrams of the work of various customers should be put together in order to identify any common patterns. This is done through an affinity diagram that shows the scope of issues and consolidated work models that shows the underlying pattern and structure that needs to be addressed.

4) Work redesign:The consolidated data that is collected helps the design team to find ways in which technology and other changes to organizational procedures can be introduced to help improve work. Storyboards are used as part of this process to define a new work system.

5) User Environment Design: This helps a user understand the various parts of the system that has been created, the functions it serves and how it fits into other existing systems.

6) Mock-up and test with customers: Testing through prototypes is essential to eliminate problems at the earliest.Mock-ups are redesigned together by the design team and the end-user to ensure that it meets the requirements