Needs-Driven Design and Beginner's Mind

This week focused on the importance of needs-driven design, emphasizing the concept of "Shoshin" - a beginner's mind.Shunryo Suzuki's quote, "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few," underscores the value of remaining open-minded during the research process.

Research vs. Grand Reveal

The distinction between research and the "Grand Reveal" approach was highlighted. Unlike the grand reveal, where design happens in secrecy and is presented with a big splash, research is an ongoing process that informs design decisions throughout the project lifecycle. The Segway's failure served as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of user research to avoid costly mistakes.

Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Learning Through Iteration

The concept of the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) was introduced, promoting the "Ship and Learn" philosophy. This iterative approach allows for early user feedback and course correction, preventing major overhauls later in the development process.

Disrupting Healthcare with Human-Centered Design

The course emphasized the power of human-centered design in healthcare. By embracing empathy, we become better listeners and observers, ultimately fostering a culture of wellness. Key principles include:

• Human-centered design
• Empathy
• Co-design
• Social determinants of health

Discovery: Understanding Users and Problems

The importance of the discovery phase was stressed. Research helps us understand users, the problems they face, and potential opportunities. We were encouraged to explore best and worst healthcare experiences, the impact of technology,and healthcare startups.

Defining Research Questions and Conducting Research

The process of defining research questions, identifying reliable sources (including news, social media, academic research,and Reddit), and conducting a proper screening search was outlined. We practiced researching local health centers' websites and conducting competitor analyses, evaluating strengths and weaknesses of NHS and GPs' competitors,including both direct and indirect competitors (private healthcare).

Understanding Bias in Research

The session delved into the concept of bias in research, including cognitive bias (confirmation bias, anchoring), and groupthink. The importance of being empathetic and flexible to user input was emphasized, aligning with Postel's Law:"Be conservative in what you do, liberal in what you accept from others."

Chunking and Brief Development

Chunking, the process of breaking down information into manageable pieces, was introduced. Finally, we were tasked with developing our briefs based on the learnings from this week, which will be reviewed next week.