Design Research in Local Transformation project
2024
I was assigned to a small team whose mandate was to redesign the Local Digital Declaration, an initiative by the Department of Local Urban and Housing Development (DLUHC).
Our team’s objective was to assess the relevance of the Local Digital Declaration, which was first published almost six years ago.
TPXImpact
Design Research
Our team’s objective was to assess the relevance of the Local Digital Declaration, which was first published almost six years ago.
TPXImpact
Design Research
Project Overview:
The Local Digital Declaration project emerged as a response to the shifting landscape of digital engagement in local governance. Recognizing the increasing importance of digital tools in fostering citizen participation and improving service delivery, DLUHC sought to establish a comprehensive framework for digital transformation at the local level.
Research Process:
As part of my role on the Local Digital Declaration project, I actively participated in conducting user research to gather insights crucial for shaping future service delivery recommendations.
One significant aspect of this research involved interviewing external stakeholders to test concepts aimed at enhancing digital engagement within local communities.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the diverse needs and perspectives of stakeholders, we carefully identified and selected a diverse group of individuals representing various segments of the community.
Through open-ended questions, we encouraged stakeholders to share their candid feedback, opinions, and suggestions about the current services of Local Digital.
Following the interviews, I collaborated with the team to analyze and synthesize the collected data. By identifying common themes, pain points, and opportunities across stakeholder groups, we gained valuable insights into the key challenges and priorities that would inform our design recommendations.
Workshops with Concurrent Workstreams:
In addition to conducting stakeholder interviews, I actively participated in workshops with other teams working on concurrent workstreams within the Local Digital Declaration project.
The workshops aimed to synthesize concurrent research findings, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and generating actionable insights.
Through a series of structured activities and design exercises, we refined our ideas based on collaborative ideation and feedback, ensuring that our solutions were grounded in cohesive user needs and aligned with project goals.
The insights and learnings generated from these workshops were seamlessly integrated into our design process iterations, informing the development of our service recommendations.
By continuously iterating our designs based on feedback, we ensure that our deliverables are robust, scalable, and aligned with the broader objectives of the Local Digital Declaration project.