Designing an intervention is an iterative process that requires patience, collaboration, vision, and flexibility. This section provides some insights from the design process for the four example intervention projects referenced throughout these modules. While each design process and output are unique, observing unique intervention design approaches, challenges, opportunities, and strategies they used, can be valuable in effectively designing and implementing your own project.
Knowing your target group is essential to creating an appropriate design, so: conduct thorough field observations and interviews with target group members to build your design rationale and goals.
Deep understanding of the real-world impacts that you are trying to achieve and how this effort might unfold is needed, so make sure to: examine relevant behavior change theory research and determine how best to translate theory into application to achieve desired real-world impacts.
Even when your plans are well-intentioned, it can be important to be flexible, so: build in time to modify your design, do more research, or further discuss ideas with stakeholders.
Being creative is an ongoing effort, not a one-time inspiration, so remember to: have patience, empathy, and openness throughout your process.
Much can change over the course of your intervention, but: don't forget to do background research early and often so that when you have to adapt you are doing so in informed and strategic ways.