Checklist
Can I apply ‘Inclusive Design’ to my project?
Inclusive Design principles can always be applied when developing any product, environment or service. Below is a checklist to help you to decide why Inclusive Design should be applied.
Please note: the word ‘product’ is used in the questions below. This could be substituted for design, architecture, service, environment, etc.
MARKET
- Can you think of a person for whom your product would be challenging to use?
- Are people with a range of ages and abilities going to use your product?
- Do members of the public interact with your product?
- Could your product appeal to a wider market?
- Could your product be more relevant to its target group?
- Could your product be used beyond its target group?
- Do you think the needs of your target market are changing?
COMPETITORS
- Are you operating in a mature market?
- Do you wish to develop new competitive advantages?
- Could increased user-friendliness give you a competitive edge?
- Is your aim to innovate rather than imitate?
- Is customer satisfaction important to the success of your product?
- Is public perception important to your company?
PRODUCT
- Could your product be more intuitive?
- Are your customers dissatisfied with any aspect of your product?
- Do you think that having better information about your users would improve your product?
- Is the usability of your product important?
- Could your product be better presented to your customers?
- Are you looking for new product ideas?
RESOURCES
- Do you wish to base your design decisions on real-world evidence?
- Do you want to know what the key issues are facing your customers?
- Do you want to know how your product could be improved?
- Could understanding the limitations or successes of your product be useful in the future development?
If you answered yes to five or more of these questions then an Inclusive Design approach will add value to your process.