Service Design is every where today. Businesses are looking at everything they do through the perception of Design thinking, and for good reasons. It’s not only a problem-solving approach, but also a way of optimizing efficiencies; be it in process implementation, product designs, innovations, user experience, or digital transformation. Being such an open-ended term, the basics of its implementation in any field remains the same. When we look at any product or process through the aspect of service design, it all comes down to 3 things – “How can it be made simpler”, “How can it be made more efficient” and “how can it be made more valuable”.
At Saransh, Service Design gives impetus to our projects and products right from the stage of ideation. How do we use it to create a rock-solid framework? Here is our roadmap:
Defining the Goal
The very first step is to have a very well-defined Problem Statement. Any idea always seems good in first glance. However, does the idea solve one or more specific problems? Is solving one problem creating another one in its place? Is the available knowledge and information sufficient to clearly define the problem? These are questions that need to be addressed while creating a Problem Statement.
Empathizing with Users
Having stated the problem, it’s best to dig deeper and to define the challenges that might be faced in solving the problem. Why is it necessary to address it? What can be learnt about the user that can help make the process/product more desirable? A lot of research and observation needs to be carried out to understand the end-users’ point of view. This is literally the basis on which the product/process is built on.
Visualization and Ideation
It is only at this stage that the actual product/process designing starts to take shape. The best way to go about is to brainstorm for ideas and to think of potential solutions. However, it is first important to cancel out all the existing notions. Only when all the obvious answers are rejected, that new ways of looking at the problem are found.
Prototyping
Start experimenting and creating. Think of different ways in which it can work. The first prototype need not be fully functional. It might not even be a MVP. But it gives the clarity whether the idea is feasible. Build on the prototype and improve from there. Various iterations and tweaks will land you with the right end-result.
Testing and Perfecting
Once you are ready with the prototype, its important to test the product/process as diligently as possible. Carry out testing in different environments, run test-cases and simulations. Does the idea solve the problem? How can the prototype be refined further? What is the end-user feedback and how can it be implemented? The answer to all these questions can be found in vigorous testing.
Using the Service Design approach is a simple, but highly effective way to optimize processes and products. Putting systems in plan and a stage-wise approach affects the end-result and the complete execution of the project, and in many cases, can be the difference between success and failure. And the right execution depends majorly on the right expertise and team. If you feel that your next project is in need of guidance of industry experts, feel free to connect with us at info@saranshinc.com.