What do desirability, viability, and feasibility mean in a design review?
Desirability, viability, and feasibility are three important factors that are often considered in a design review. These factors are used to evaluate whether a design concept is likely to be successful or not. Here is a brief explanation of each of these factors:
Design review is an essential part of the product development process. It involves evaluating a design concept to ensure that it is functional, effective, and meets the needs of its intended audience. A design review can take place at any stage of the product development process, from initial concept to final production. There are several factors that are typically evaluated during a design review, including desirability, viability, and feasibility.
The Design Review Process
The design review process typically begins with a review of the initial design concept. This involves evaluating the design for its overall effectiveness, including how well it meets the needs of its intended audience. Once the initial design has been reviewed, the team may move on to a more detailed review of specific aspects of the design, such as the user interface or the product's functionality.
Throughout the design review process, the team will evaluate the design concept based on a set of criteria that have been established in advance. These criteria typically include the following:
Desirability
Desirability refers to the degree to which a design concept meets the needs, wants, and expectations of the target audience. This includes factors such as aesthetics, usability, and emotional appeal. In other words, is the design something that people will actually want to use or interact with?
During the design review process, the team will evaluate the design concept to determine how well it aligns with the target audience's needs and preferences.
To evaluate desirability, the team will typically conduct user research to gather feedback from potential users. This may involve conducting surveys, interviews, or focus groups to gather information about the target audience's needs, preferences, and pain points. The team may also use tools such as user personas or user journey maps to better understand the user's perspective.
Once the user research has been conducted, the team can use this information to evaluate the design concept and determine how well it meets the needs and preferences of its intended audience. This may involve making adjustments to the design to better align with the target audience's needs and preferences.
Viability
Viability refers to the economic and business aspects of a design concept. This includes factors such as market demand, potential revenue streams, and cost-effectiveness. In other words, is the design financially viable, and will it generate enough revenue to justify the investment?
To evaluate viability, the team will typically conduct market research to determine the potential demand for the product. This may involve analysing market trends, conducting surveys or focus groups with potential customers, or conducting competitive analysis to determine how the product compares to similar products in the market.
Once the market research has been conducted, the team can use this information to evaluate the design concept and determine whether it is economically viable. This may involve making adjustments to the design to better align with market demand or exploring alternative revenue streams.
Feasibility
Feasibility refers to the technical aspects of a design concept. This includes factors such as the availability of technology, engineering constraints, and manufacturing processes. In other words, is the design technically feasible and can it be produced or implemented within the given constraints?
During the design review process, the team will evaluate the design concept to determine whether it is technically feasible and whether it can be produced or implemented within the given constraints.
To evaluate the feasibility, the team will typically work closely with technical experts to determine the technical requirements of the design. This may involve working with engineers or other technical experts to determine the materials, manufacturing processes, or other technical requirements of the product.
Once the technical requirements have been determined, the team can use this information to evaluate the design concept and determine whether it is technically feasible. This may involve making adjustments to the design to better align with technical requirements or exploring alternative design solutions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a design review is a crucial step in the product development process. It involves evaluating a design concept to ensure that it is functional, effective, and meets the needs of its intended audience. The design review process typically involves evaluating the design concept based on a set of criteria, including desirability, viability, and feasibility.
To evaluate desirability, the team conducts user research to gather feedback from potential users and adjusts the design to better align with the target audience's needs and preferences. To evaluate viability, the team conducts market research to determine the potential demand for the product and adjusts the design to better align with market demand or explore alternative revenue streams. To evaluate the feasibility, the team works closely with technical experts to determine the technical requirements of the product and adjust the design to better align with technical requirements or explore alternative design solutions.
By evaluating the design concept based on these criteria, the team can ensure that the design is likely to be successful in the marketplace and meet the needs of its intended audience. Through a comprehensive design review process, the team can identify areas for improvement and make adjustments to the design concept to ensure that it is functional, effective, and meets the needs of its intended audience.
