Introduction

Any product or service is developed by starting from a challenge, captured as a perceived need. Transforming this need into a solution that can successfully satisfy the real need requires an appropriate design process. There are many ways to describe this transformation, but the ‘waterfall’ model is one of the most useful. It comprises four key stages:

• Discover: The systematic exploration of the perceived need to ensure the right design challenge is addressed, with due consideration of all stakeholders; leading to the first output, an understanding of the real need
• Translate: The conversion of this understanding into a categorised, complete and well defined description of the design intent; leading to the second output, a requirements specification
• Create: The creation of preliminary concepts that are evaluated against the requirements; leading to the third output, concepts.
• Develop: The detailed design of the final product or service, ready to be manufactured or implemented; leading to the final output, solutions.

In addition, evaluation occurs throughout the design cycle.

All decisions made throughout the process affect the level of design exclusion. The objective of this toolkit is to provide the knowledge and tools to minimise the potential for such exclusion.