The aim of this competition is to support demonstration-stage projects that have the potential to improve lives of people living in lower income countries and emerging economies. It will support projects that address one or more of the global societal challenges recognised as the UN Sustainable Development Goals through development of innovative, market-creating products and services. This is a two-phase competition. Phase 1 projects must explore the feasibility of running a demonstration project in phase 2 and applicants can use a human-centred design or technical feasibility approaches during this phase. A successful sub-set of phase 1 projects will be invited to apply for phase 2. Funding has been allocated from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), a £1.5 billion fund to support cutting-edge research which addresses the problems faced by developing countries. GCRF will address global challenges through disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and innovation, and will strengthen capability for research and innovation within both the UK and developing countries, also providing an agile response to emergencies where there is an urgent research need. GCRF forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment and will be awarded in a manner that fits with ODA guidelines. The webcast recording is now available: https://youtu.be/Ej4oyVi9INY Find out more about the GCRF Demonstrate Impact Programme: https://ktn-uk.co.uk/programmes/gcrf-demonstrate-impact-programme

1. Human-centred design
for Demonstrate Impact Phase 1 Projects
Ben Griffin
Innovation Lead, Design

2. Phase 1: Not just technical feasibility
“Phase 1 projects can include
human-centred design and/or
technical feasibility studies.”

3. Phase 1: Not just technical feasibility
“Phase 1 projects can include
human-centred design and/or
technical feasibility studies.”
A human-centred research and design study
could help you better understand market
conditions, ensure your idea meets the needs of
customers and help you plan a more effective
and meaningful demonstration.

4. Technology can make a new idea possible.
…But people determine whether or not it’s successful.
This is important, because

5. Users
Customers
Resellers
Investors
Delivery
Partners
Logistics
Service &
maintenance
Managers
Local
authorities
Manufacturers
System
integratorsInstallers

6. TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY
Can you do it?
VIABLE
for your business
FEASIBLE
with available technology
DESIRABLE
to people
HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN STUDY
Should you do it?
The best
ideas are…

7. TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY
Can you do it?
VIABLE
for your business
FEASIBLE
with available technology
HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN STUDY
Should you do it?
The best
ideas are…
DESIRABLE
to people
Not just about looks…
- Does it solve a problem?
- Is it understandable?
- Is it aspirational?
- Is it easy to use?
- Does it fit readily into existing
behavior patterns?

8. Neglecting or misunderstanding
people’s motivations and behavior
is a potential failure mode.
The less familiar you are with
those people’s circumstances and
culture, the higher the risk.

9. It’s less about data and
secondary research
… and more about conversations,
experiences and feelings

10. An opportunity to sense-check,
validate and de-risk ideas with the
people they’re intended for before
launching into a demonstrator.
… Meaning that your phase 2
application will be stronger.
Why include human-centred design?
Gain confidence (and evidence)
that you’re proposing the right
solution, to the right problem.
1
Plan a more valuable
demonstrator involving the
right people, appropriate
infrastructure and realistic
use cases.
2

11. What does it look like?
Thorough understanding
of the problem space
Start
Specific problem
definition
Generate lots of
ideas in response
Progress the best
idea/s
Do the right thing …then do the thing right

12. What does it look like?
Thorough understanding
of the problem space
Start
Specific problem
definition
Generate lots of
ideas in response
Progress the best
idea/s
Do the right thing
Iterative prototype
and test cycles

13. Too often we do this
Skip this, or rush through it Lack of divergent
thinking
Focus on realising
your great idea!
DISCOVER DEFINE
Poor experience
that’s costly or
impossible to fix

14. Variations on the theme
Double-Diamond (Design Council)
HCD DesignKit (Ideo)
Design Bootcamp (Stanford d-School)

15. - Identifying relevant stakeholders
- Engaging with them to gather insight
- Documenting their specific needs,
desires and frustrations.
- Mapping out their ideal experience
- Defining desirable product/service
attributes
Design activities could include
- Generating lots of ideas
- Fast, iterative prototype and test
cycles
- Testing both the desirability and the
feasibility
- Documenting your intended route
forward via a roadmap or design
concept.

16. A human-centred approach can help you create better
PHYSICAL
GOODS
SERVICES
BUSINESS
MODELS
DIGITAL
PRODUCTS
…and all are within scope for this competition

17. Do build empathy
Do think divergently
Do get your hands dirty
Don’t be precious
Characteristics of a design approach

18. How can you do it?
- DIY?
- Or… take this opportunity to work
with professional design expertise
- Up to 50% of eligible project costs
can be sub-contracting costs
- Ideal way to engage professional
design services
Useful contacts:
- KTN
- Design Council
- BIDA (British Industrial Design
Association)
- DBA (Design Business Association)
- Service Design Network.
Googling?
- Look for human-centred research and
design expertise
- Relevant discipline experience e.g.
physical goods, digital products, services
and/or business models

19. Thank you