The IDEO.org team provides the staff of Marie Stopes International Zambia (MSZ) with an inside perspective on human-centered design through a series of design workshops.

We're excited about this project for a number of reasons, not least of which is the opportunity to work closely with Marie Stopes International Zambia (or MSZ) to teach our process and learn together what it's like to be a teen in Zambia.

We've been sharing regular updates with each other, but we've also planned a series of design workshops to share some aspects of our human-centered design approach with the MSZ staff. This has allowed the organization’s members to actively help us learn and design. Our first workshop on design research was held last week, and it was a big hit!

The highlight, from my perspective, was an exercise in which we asked MSZ staff to brainstorm ideas for improving the experience of their office for a new (hypothetical) blind receptionist. Their ideas were great, but they improved dramatically after we led an empathy exercise to put them in the shoes of their end user. We blindfolded several volunteers and encouraged them to perform several of their daily activities (making coffee, signing in, checking email, walking throughout the office, etc...).  When they were done with this exercise, we interviewed them and brainstormed again. The newly empathetic ideas were incredible, and we had a blast!

Next week after completing all of our initial research in the field, our team - Mariana Prieto, Minnie Bredouw, and myself - will be leading a second workshop on synthesis. Stay posted!