Summary and reaction to:
The Holy Grail of Design Measurement
By: Deborah Mrazek, Sam Lucente,
Katherine Wakid, Steve Sato, Conrad Wai, Adam Menter and Philip Hartley
The first page
states that, “Companies around the world are striving to become more
innovative.” This is already a given. Companies – even from the old times
strive to bring something new ( modern and advanced) to the environment. That
is why our society is ever changing. From the [moment] that industrial design
was made into a course in college (1980’s in UP Diliman – first university in
the Philippines to offer the course), the word innovate, innovation and
innovative came into popularity.
But,
at the Hewlett-Packard Company, they don’t just innovate through modern-day
equipments. They also innovate though other means. They make design as a business tool. The essence
of this is to create a new proposal that considers what the customers would really
like.
To
explain this further, magazines and newspapers has enumerated 4 objects you
need to have success in the business design field. This is what HP also calls,
the Big D Design. First, one must strategically use industrial design. Second,
experience design. Third, research on your design and lastly, plan. This Big-D
Design harness design and then communicates its value in business terms
stakeholders would understand and likely agree.
In
measuring effective design, see if your company has achieved the following
goals: 1.) Provide structure for a free-flowing creative process. In my terms,
make a ‘mind-map’ of the object and then the conceptual framework. The value
and quality of the design project must tell of outcomes achieved. And if a
large amount of money is needed, always explain the reasons why you need a
bigger budget. 2.) The design measurement system has organized teams with
different tasks therefore making the company allocate resources properly. This could
clearly express goals and priorities that will lead success to the team.
In
measuring innovation, the system should be both fixed and flexible because “ambiguity
and iteration (even dead-end) are part of the creative system.” Designers are encouraged to tinker (meaning:
do random) and explore new concepts. This is the basis for innovation. But of
course, being fixed means you create design that should be in alignment with
the company’s “plan of activities or developments.”
In
a separate article, I’ve read that most companies go for repetition (of
projects) because this is more profitable. Others would go for quality –
choosing the project that would develop their creativity. In this Holy Grail of
Design Measurement article, it states that if the “focus on operation and execution
with a drive for reliability, (especially) consistency and control,” then these
can “prevent for generative and creative” thinking. So, when you want to
improve your design team, it’s ok to deal with risks and give them experience
to learn and develop. Do not try to control the project from the very beginning
by relying on solutions that already
worked (before).
Now, showing you the Dᵌ matrix
that is secret to success of the Hewlett-Packard Company.
(description and matrix are taken from
the article The Holy Grail of Design Measurement)
Design to Innovate
|
Developing New Markets
Cultivating new growth prospects
Ex. ZIPCAR
New model for car usage for a new group of
consumers
|
Balanced Innovation Portfolio
Coordinated roadmaps lead to short-and long-term
success
Ex. Sony
Portfolio of traditional products while exploring
more playful products like the Aibo Robot
|
Build HP IP
Proprietary assets create a sustainable advantage
Ex. 3M
Labs legendary for producing innovating IP that
underpins its products
|
Design to Innovate
Innovating by creating new markets, portfolios,
and IP
· Creates new offerings
· Opens new markets
|
Design to Differentiate
|
Anticipating Demand
Addressing unmet needs with compelling solutions
Ex. P&G
Anticipate needs for quick and easy alternatives
to pre-existing products, like Swiffer
|
A Cohesive System
Coordinating product portfolios to work better
together
Ex. Apple
Products work seamlessly and speak the same design
language
|
The Wow Factor
An emotional connection to HP offerings
Ex. Volkswagen
Revived an icon (VW Beetle), and designed every
detail of the experience
|
Design to Differentiate
Differentiating through anticipating demand, creating
products that link together, and connecting with consumers
· Creates customer value and competitive advantages
· Extends life of technology assets
· Charge premiums
· Increases brand value
|
Design to Simplify
|
Efficient Design Processes
Process improvement and the efficient use of
assets
e. Birkenstock
Uses the same foot bed, allowing the designers to
focus on the top part of the shoe
|
Simplified Technology Experiences
Improving user interactions across a range of
products
Ex. Virgin
Redesigns and redefines tech experiences, such as
airport, check-in for simplicity and ease
|
A User Aware Supply Chain
Optimizing the supply chain in a way that doesn’t
sacrifice the customer experience
Ex. McDonald’s
Optimized its supply chain and production to
deliver a consistent experience no matter where
|
Design to Simplify
Simplifying design processes, portfolios, and the
supply chain
· Drives efficiency and reduces costs
· Simplify technology experiences
· Drives attach rate
|
|
Development Process
Process of design and development
|
Portfolio of Products
Actual customer experience with portfolio of
products
|
Specific to D2x
Benefits unique to each row
|
|
“This
matrix allows for the twists and turns of the design process, and integrates
easily with existing project practices.”
FIVE TIPSTO KEEP IN MIND WHILE
MANAGING AND MEASURING DESIGN PROJECTS
(Summarized. Taken from the
article The Holy Grail of Design Measurement)
1. 1. Stay
focused on your work.
a. Setting strategic goals involves getting
different groups on the same place. (design and innovation team working towards
the same goal)
b. Don’t confuse business goals with metrics. (Is
it creating a breakthrough product or increasing market share?)
c. All objectives flow from customers’ needs.
2. 2. Base
your metrics on your goals.
a. Anchor success metrics to your goals. (define
your ultimate success metrics)
3. 3. Communicate
using a common language.
a. Partner with people who track the ultimate
market results. (collaborate with analysts in marketing, sales and customer
support)
b. Document all assumptions to tell the story behind
the numbers.
4. 4. Use
real-time input to monitor your progress and course-correct as needed.
a. Stay on the track by reporting all findings in relation
to the business goals. (Too much divergence can cause a team to lose focus from
its core goals. Keep your eyes on the prize. Report to stakeholders the
knowledge that relates both the customers’ and business’ welfare.)
b. Keep track of failure and learn from it.
5. 5. Narrate
and illustrate your story.
a. Help the organization learn by documenting and
sharing results both qualitatively and quantitatively.
b. Consistently tracking design over time will
uncover valuable insight around what works and what does not. (highlight your
successes)
c. But don’t try to claim all the credit for
success. (the collaborative involvement is crucial to the success of any new
product development or innovation)