DT Development Process

The Development Process

The Development Process is a model that takes you from your first questions right through to your completed digital outcome. Based on the agile approach to project management, it is an iterative process....

An iterative process

An iterative process is a way of working on a project by repeating a series of steps, or iterations, which help you progressively improve and refine your work. 

The process involves breaking the task into smaller pieces, planning and working on each iteration, and reviewing and evaluating your work.

 This allows you to progress on the project in small, manageable steps and continuously improve and refine your work as you go. 

Each iteration is based on the concept of sprints...

Sprints

A design sprint is a methodology used to develop ideas through design, prototyping, user testing, and collaboration in a short period of time. The idea is you park everything else and go for it!

Sprints let you take a product to the next stage and get feedback to see how you can improve it further. 

Unpacking the stages

Here's an explanation for the stages that make up the process

Ako / Learn & Teach

Develop the foundation skills you'll need to be able to develop the kind of outcome you want to create. Learn through others online or in person, and share your knowledge with your classmates. Try things, create, play, and have fun. 

Phase One: Understand

Empathise & Define

Identify and understand potential problems, needs, or opportunities and who is affected by them. Define the purpose and propose a solution.

Research

You know the problems, now time to find what's already out there as far as ideas, solutions, and conventions go. Collect ideas together and look for new possibilities. 

Phase Two: Design

Ideate

Brainstorm and imagine new and creative solutions. Look at what's already out there. Put all ideas on the table and consider a range of possibilities. 

Create a range of low-fidelity designs. Remember, design will continue to be a part of your development process too

Test and Reflect

Consider which solution will work best. Think about what works well and what doesn't, and seek feedback from others. 

Refine your idea until you have  a "go" design, something you can begin to develop. I say "final" but each sprint will also involve new, ever more refined design ideas too. 

Phase Three: Develop

It's sprint time! Each sprint will see your product improve and become more refined, taking you closer to a product that is awesome and effective for your users.

Plan

Prioritise what's most important to develop first and create a simple plan. Use your research and think how you could refine your designs when you create your to dos.

Develop and test

Focus ond develop those things that are most important. Test it yourself to make sure it does what you want. 

Trial and feedback

Test your prototype with the people who will use it. Ask their thoughts to help you understand their wants and needs better.

Reflect

Think about what worked well and what didn’t. Decide on what you will try next, create a plan... away you go again! 

... Or, if you're happy, it's time to launch!

Phase Four: Launch

It’s finally time to share it with the World!