How can design strategy create a more inclusive culture?

I believe there are a few important points to consider while looking at Design Strategy: 1. Of course User Research is important. User Research will help you find the right insights. However remember, an insight is not an actionable plan. 2. After an insight is derived, putting it into the right context is super important. An insight without context, is like a judging a fish in the desert. 3. Beyond User Research, a detailed trend analysis, understanding of the market and competition is also needed. 4. Finally, combine all of these data points and outline possible ways to reach your outcomes. Define milestones, and chart a journey for your organisation to achieve those milestones. That’s Design Strategy in action.

Designing a strategic plan is NOT a DIY task; it requires input from all stakeholders. One way to make this process more inclusive is to solicit feedback beforehand in focused areas i.e engagement, alignment, diversity, inclusion and more... This type of feedback is just the beginning of building a more inclusive culture.

Design strategy plays a crucial role in creating a more inclusive culture by focusing on understanding users, co-creating with stakeholders, aligning vision and values, and continuously learning and adapting. Conduct thorough user research to understand the needs, wants ,preferences, and challenges of a diverse user base. Foster culture of empathy within the design team by encouraging members to immerse themselves in the users' experiences, perspectives, and environments

Design strategy thrives on collaboration and co-creation. It's about inviting stakeholders - users, clients, partners, and colleagues - to join you in the journey. Together, you ideate, prototype, test, and seek feedback. This process breeds a sense of ownership, trust, and engagement. But it's more than that; it's about tapping into diverse perspectives, insights, and skills. That's where innovation and inclusivity are born. ???? Solution Diversity: Design strategy is a powerful platform for crafting solutions that speak to everyone. It's not about a one-size-fits-all approach; it's about embracing the richness of individual experiences.

Design strategy, with its human-centric approach, flips the script. It's not just about creating solutions; it's about understanding people, embracing diversity of thought, and crafting solutions that resonate universally. It's the difference between merely opening the door and inviting everyone to dance to the rhythm of innovation. So, when you embrace design strategy, you're not just designing solutions — you're designing a culture where every perspective is not only acknowledged but celebrated.

Co-designing strategy improves culture because it creates inclusiveness and allows to leverage the collective intelligence in your organization. Everyone wants to feel part of something bigger, and feel that they can somewhat control their destiny. That’s why involving individual contributors in the strategy design process taps into very deep values and beliefs of your team members, which ultimately shapes culture and creates a sense of belonging.

When you define your purpose, goals, and guiding principles, you're not just setting a course; you're crafting a shared narrative. It's about bringing your team and stakeholders into sync with the project's direction. ????? To truly inspire and gain support, you need more than spreadsheets and bullet points. It's the art of storytelling, visualization, and evidence that breathes life into your design strategy. ???? But it doesn't stop there. Your design strategy should be a mirror of your organizational culture, reflecting and reinforcing your commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity. It's not just about what you design; it's about what you stand for. ????

We used to conduct workshops to define and refine the project's vision and values, ensuring alignment with the organization's overarching goals with certain case studies .Develop clear and concise mission statements that reflect the inclusive values of the project and organization. Your vision and values should guide your design decisions. Make sure that your vision and values are aligned with your commitment to creating an inclusive team with core culture.

The ability to pivot and embrace change is paramount. Your design strategy should be flexible, capable of incorporating new insights and shifting priorities without losing sight of your core principles. This adaptability not only ensures the longevity of your design approach but also reinforces a culture that values learning and growth in tandem with its unwavering commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity.

Embrace an iterative design process that allows for continuous learning and refinement based on user feedback. Use tools and platforms to validate fast .Implement analytics and performance metrics to track the impact of design decisions and gather data for ongoing improvement.

The Emotional Perspective adds to the success of any strategy. Since people (for now) are the last mile delivery and support points. A people-centric design strategy focusing on the emotional aspect, will help foster a culture of curiosity, creativity, and experimentation. Design strategy also involves conducting extensive research, gathering insights, and understanding the user experience. This process allows for a deeper understanding and empathy towards different groups of people, including those who are often marginalized or underrepresented. When people understand how their product or service is affecting people, the whys, wheres , hows disappear. A new vista opens up and that is what is essential for every business today.

I feel that this article needs more, in terms of understanding the fundamentals of Design strategy and hence my inputs. Design strategy refers to the deliberate and intentional approach of using design principles to create strategies that align with an organization's overall goals and objectives. Design strategy is nowadays closely intertwined with overall business strategy. In fact, many successful companies have integrated design thinking into their strategic planning processes, recognizing the importance of incorporating design principles into every aspect of their operations. This can range from product and service design to user experience, branding, and marketing strategies.