The NLC aimed to deliver impactful public services for senior leaders but needed to ensure these services aligned with user needs and expectations. My role was to conduct and synthesise user research, integrating insights into the design process to guide the development of effective, user-friendly solutions.
To address the challenge, I employed a structured, user-centred approach alongside a multidisciplinary team:
1. User Recruitment and Engagement:
Identified and recruited senior leaders as research participants.
Coordinated logistics to facilitate meaningful user engagement.
2. Research Planning and Interviews:
Developed detailed research plans aligned with project goals.
Conducted in-depth user interviews, gathering qualitative insights into user behaviours, challenges, and expectations.
3. Data Analysis and Insight Integration:
Analysed interview data to extract actionable insights.
Collaborated with the team to ensure findings were seamlessly integrated into the design process.
4. Prototyping and Testing:
Tested prototypes and services with users to gather feedback.
Iterated on designs based on user input to ensure functionality and satisfaction.
This user-centred research project delivered actionable insights and validated solutions that aligned with the needs of senior leaders.
Deep understanding of user needs for both services.
Insights directly informing design decisions and service improvements.
Prototypes and services tested and iterated to enhance usability and effectiveness.
This project reinforced the importance of early and continuous user engagement when designing public services. It highlighted the power of collaboration and iterative testing to ensure solutions are practical, functional, and user-focused.
The NLC’s dedication to user-centred research reflects its commitment to improving public services. This project exemplifies how understanding and integrating user needs can lead to better-designed solutions, particularly for services aimed at senior leaders in the public sector.
