Title: Human-centred design practice and challenges in four Finnish organisational information system development projects

Authors: Pauliina Ikävalko; Mikko Korpela

Addresses: Department of Media, School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Aalto University, P.O. Box 11000, FI-00076, AALTO, Finland ' School of Computing, University of Eastern Finland, PL 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland

Abstract: The objective of this study was to recognise challenges that designers face when they are applying a human-centred design approach into organisational information system development projects. Participant-observation during the years 2004-2013 and inductive analysis were used to gain an understanding of designers' everyday work practices and real-life obstacles. Analysis led to the four categories of human-centred design work barriers: contract limitations, contradictory expectations, technological disinterest and isolation of designers. These barriers indicate that the designer's role in development projects is still vague and unclear, which makes it harder to work productively and affect usability related decisions.

Keywords: human-centred design; HCD; human-centred design practice; design practice; organisational information systems; development projects; design-work barriers; contract limitations; contradictory expectations; technological disinterest; isolation of designers; designer's role; design research; Finland.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2017.089905

Journal of Design Research, 2017 Vol.15 No.3/4, pp.329 - 341

Accepted: 05 Oct 2017
Published online: 18 Feb 2018 *

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