How Scalable is Your Human-Centered Innovation Strategy?

Organizations that proclaim their focus on human-centered design must establish a mindset rather than treat it as a one-time solution. A shift in thinking that places the customer at the genesis of any initiative is crucial, but it does not require tossing out existing development processes. Instead, companies may find ways to incorporate a human-centered mindset into all activities, including employee-facing initiatives or brand positioning. To serve as the anchor of the development process, an organization should identify pain points and unmet needs, and remain committed to rigorously assessing consumer insights. Balancing the human dimension with business success evidence is vital to obtaining senior leadership buy-in. Conducting a pilot project with a team that is open to challenging conventions is one approach.