Last week, we looked at the first part of DIGNITY’s bridging phase, the scenario building process. This article will look at the next step – implementation of the Inclusive Design Wheel methodology.

The Inclusive Design Wheel

The University of Cambridge has adapted its Inclusive Design Wheel methodology to fit the specific needs of digital transport inclusion, and this will be implemented in every DIGNITY pilot region between July 2021 and February 2022.

The Inclusive Design Wheel offers a structured process that helps generate solutions to challenges, with emphasis on creating offerings that can be used by as many people as reasonably possible. This approach can be applied to a specific problem affecting a particular user group, all the way to widespread societal challenges.

The Inclusive Design process has four main phases:

  • MANAGE: Review the evidence to decide ‘What should we do next?’
  • EXPLORE: Determine ‘What are the needs?’
  • CREATE: Generate ideas to address ‘How can the needs be met?’
  • EVALUATE: Judge and test the design concepts to determine ‘How well are the needs met?’

The Inclusive Design Wheel process draws on other parts of the DIGNITY project, with customer journey maps and user surveys providing insight on user needs, and the scenarios developed in the first part of the bridging phase contextualising the situations in which the inclusive design solutions will operate.

In each phase, each pilot city will choose from a selection of potential activities, as outlined in the diagram below:

The inclusive design wheel contains four phases, each with various activities. The process is guided by the Manage phase containing Ensure common understanding, Engage stakeholders and build team, Refine project goals, Review progress and agree next steps, and Develop case. The main wheel contains the Explore, Create and Evaluate phases. The Explore phase contains Create stakeholder map, Examine customer journeys, Examine user data, Capture needs and Identify potential KPIs. The Create phase contains Examine scenarios, Stimulate ideas, Develop concepts, Make storyboards and Make prototypes. The Evaluate phase contains Review KPIs, Elicit feedback, Expert appraisal, Assess exclusion and Identify improvements.

The iterative process of the Inclusive Design Wheel, developed by the University of Cambridge (source: UCam).

The University of Cambridge has created a comprehensive manual on DIGNITY’s Inclusive Design Wheel methodology and its implementation to support the pilot cities as they put it into practice. The Cambridge team will be on hand to provide the pilots with additional guidance where required.

Keep an eye on the DIGNITY website, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook pages for the results of the bridging phase in 2021!