Say, Do, Make? User involvement in information systems design

The focus of the research was user involvement in information systems design and what type of user data is utilized in systems development. Based on the research findings a comprehensive user understanding in design is lacking. Especially when an existing system is improved, purchasing customers’ requirements and designers’ own perceptions of users are used instead of involving actual users in the design process.

The research entailed different design projects that were investigated with a qualitative method by interviewing 20 designers. Based on the research design principles and a UICD model were developed that can aid different stakeholders to holistically understand user needs and companies to develop their design processes. The UICD model provides an overall picture of user involvement in information systems design. UICD model can be widely applied in product development and it helps to form an understanding how users are taken into account in different systems’ development phases.