Advancements in technology have empowered developers to create sophisticated and accessible digital applications. Yet, many digital experiences still fail to prioritize the user, resulting in clunky, inefficient interfaces that fall short of the seamless interactions people expect from brands and services. Consequently, CIOs are under growing pressure to enhance application accessibility and meet rising user expectations. Human-centric application development focuses on creating apps and websites that are intuitive and user-friendly for a wide range of individuals. This approach takes into account users' unique needs, including abilities, demographics, personality traits, as well as language and cultural diversity. Key features often include options like dark mode for mobile devices, text resizing, zoom functionality, voice dictation, and voice search. For a product to be truly human-centric, it must be trustworthy, intuitive, inclusive, accessible to all, and deliver robust functionality.
Tech leaders face additional challenges as the EU and US prepare to implement best-practice legislation mandating equal and inclusive access to digital services. Forward-thinking organizations are already adopting practices to ensure their applications and websites are easily navigable by diverse user groups. For others, remaining passive is no longer a viable strategy.
The Current Landscape of Human-Centric Software Design
A recent survey by Progress, involving over 700 application developers and IT decision-makers, sheds light on the challenges and priorities in addressing human-centric software design. While an overwhelming 98% of respondents acknowledge its importance, only 34% are actively addressing it through tools, training, and policy changes. With 56% of global organizations planning to increase investments in human-centric design over the next year, adopting the right strategies is critical to creating digital experiences that are inclusive and accessible. Key barriers to achieving accessibility standards include the pressure to accelerate development while meeting customer demands (42%), the complexity and inflexibility of processes (41%), and a lack of in-house expertise (29%). To meet expectations, technology leaders will need to secure additional budgets and invest in training and advanced tools.
Failing to prioritize accessibility carries significant risks, including customer churn and reputational damage. Over half of the survey respondents (55%) identified customer churn as a major risk, as users gravitate towards more user-friendly alternatives. Other consequences include financial losses, harm to brand reputation, and setbacks to inclusion and diversity initiatives. However, organizations that adopt a human-centric design approach can reap substantial rewards. According to the survey, the primary benefits include enhanced customer appeal, access to new markets and audiences, positive financial outcomes, stronger digital trust, and more efficient development processes.
Additionally, prioritizing human-centric design can help tech companies distinguish themselves in the competitive talent market, providing yet another advantage in attracting top professionals.
Key Obstacles to Adopting Human-Centric Software Development
Several factors contribute to organizations falling short in human-centric application design. A significant challenge lies in confusion over the tools and processes required. These include technologies like AI, machine learning, chatbots, assistive tools for motor disabilities, and color contrast checkers. Alongside this, a lack of training and the need for cost-effective solutions present major hurdles. Perhaps the most critical issue is the failure to recognize the problem itself. While data indicates that most organizations have only reached a basic or average level of maturity in human-centric design, 57% of respondents believe they fully apply design-thinking principles in their frameworks. This highlights a pressing need for greater self-awareness and comprehensive internal benchmarking to accurately assess and improve their human-centric design capabilities. Additionally, attempting to retrofit inclusion and accessibility into existing applications is widely acknowledged as ineffective, with 86% of respondents agreeing that this approach is not viable.
Foundations for a Strong Human-Centric Design Strategy
To create applications that are inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with evolving regulations, organizations can adopt several foundational practices for human-centric design:
1. Objective Self-Assessment:
A significant gap exists between perceived and actual human-centric design maturity. To bridge this, organizations must conduct thorough internal assessments, foster cross-departmental collaboration, and set clear goals. This helps establish an accurate understanding of their current capabilities and areas for improvement.
2. Comprehensive Training:
Training and skills development in human-centricity and accessibility are critical priorities. Existing teams should participate in training programs focused on best practices in human-centric design. Simultaneously, hiring diverse talent can bring fresh perspectives and leadership in these efforts. Partnering with the right organizations can also ensure consistent training and compliance with regulatory standards.
3. Unified Design Principles and Tools:
A cohesive strategy for human-centric design is essential. Establishing clear principles and verifying adherence to them simplifies the process of selecting and implementing the most appropriate tools for an organization's needs. Common challenges include addressing data biases and integrating human-centricity into DevSecOps practices. By aligning strategy and tools, organizations can create more accessible and user-friendly digital solutions.
Inclusive and Accessible Design as a Competitive Advantage
Organizations increasingly recognize the critical importance of human-centric software development. Yet, with many applications failing to meet market demands and user expectations, the risks are significant—ranging from subpar customer experiences and regulatory violations to financial setbacks.
By taking proactive steps to create more inclusive, context-aware, and personalized digital products, organizations can unlock substantial benefits. This includes investing in training, fostering better collaboration, adopting cost-efficient strategies, and partnering with vendors who prioritize essential standards and performance metrics. Delaying these efforts will only amplify challenges, especially as competitors and dissatisfied users are always just a click away.
