How sociologists, social workers, UX experts and homeless people develop digital products together

Abstract

This paper reflects on an interdisciplinary and method triangulation approach for digital product development. The research project “Smart Inclusivity for homeless people” (SIWo), conducted by the Ohm, is cited as an example.

In the project, research methods from qualitative social sciences involving group discussions and interviews were combined with a human-centered design process to develop customized digital products that aim to support homeless people in their everyday life. In the Social Sciences Research subproject, (digital) needs of homeless people were identified. In a human-centered design process, these results were used to define the context of use for product development.

The project yielded several digital solutions, including apps for information needs like “Stromer Max” and “Schlaue Lise,” along with concepts for housing and peer support apps. Additionally, a public Wi-Fi and charging station was installed in Nuremberg. Incorporating qualitative social research methods into the product development process can provide valuable insights and improve the human-centered design process, especially in the context of addressing social issues like homelessness. These methods help understand user needs and preferences in a more nuanced way than traditional Design Thinking approaches.

However, challenges of time-intensive evaluations and issues of bridging the gap between social research and technical product development have to be faced. Overall, the paper emphasizes the potential for societal transformations through such interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of product development.