A Human-Centered Design Approach to Clean Water

Summary

In rural Bangladesh, ID Bangladesh's Jess McArthur led a project using human-centered design to create the Ring Pakka, an affordable platform to protect shallow wells. By collaborating with local entrepreneurs and experts, the design was refined through fieldwork, feedback, and prototyping. The final product is both functional and aspirational, priced affordably at $15, and locally produced. The platform addresses critical water sanitation issues while supporting sustainable local business models, demonstrating how human-centered design can create scalable solutions that are both technically feasible and market-viable.

Takeaways

• 😀 Human-centered design prioritizes understanding consumer needs and local conditions over top-down solutions. The design process begins with the people it aims to serve.
• 😀 A key project in northern Bangladesh focuses on affordable, functional water sanitation solutions for rural communities, especially addressing the issue of safe water well platforms.
• 😀 The project aims to develop low-cost, desirable, and technically feasible products, like the 'Ring Pakka,' which is a platform for water wells.
• 😀 The design process includes three main phases: Create, Deliver, and Evaluate, focusing on user feedback and iterative prototyping to refine the solution.
• 😀 In-depth field research conducted across seven districts revealed significant gaps in water sanitation, particularly with shallow well platforms, leading to the creation of a more accessible design.
• 😀 The initial design iteration was focused on affordability by using standard latrine ring sizes, but consumer feedback showed that a larger size could be more desirable, which improved market viability.
• 😀 A crucial design insight was that consumers were willing to pay more for a larger platform, increasing its business case for entrepreneurs while keeping it affordable.
• 😀 Co-creation with local entrepreneurs, who were familiar with traditional platform installation, was essential in ensuring the final product's technical feasibility and market appeal.
• 😀 The 'Ring Pakka' platform's design evolved based on real-world testing, including adjustments to cement application and product durability to ensure long-term usability.
• 😀 Entrepreneurs trained in the project are now selling and installing the platform in their communities, creating sustainable business opportunities and increasing local access to sanitation solutions.
• 😀 The Ring Pakka platform has proven to be a scalable, affordable, and desirable solution, and the success of this project serves as a model for human-centered design in tackling global water and sanitation challenges.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the I-Design team's work in Bangladesh?

The primary goal of the I-Design team's work is to create affordable, sustainable solutions for water sanitation and hygiene for rural poor communities in Bangladesh, focusing on improving food security and water safety.

How does the I-Design team approach product development differently from other inventors?

The I-Design team uses human-centered design principles, which prioritize the needs and desires of consumers in the field. Unlike traditional methods, where products are often developed based on second-hand information, the team involves local communities from the beginning to ensure the product is desirable, feasible, and technically sound.

What problem did the I-Design team aim to solve with the Ring Pakka platform?

The team aimed to solve the problem of lack of affordable and secure platforms for shallow tube wells, which are essential for water safety in rural Bangladesh. Most rural families had inadequate solutions, and the platforms were often too expensive or inaccessible.

What are the six design criteria the I-Design team considered when developing the Ring Pakka?

The six design criteria were: 1) Acceptable, aspirational, and beautiful; 2) Affordable (under 1,000 taka or $15); 3) Appropriate (easy to drain and seal the well); 4) Available (utilizing existing entrepreneurs' capacities); 5) Accessible (easy for entrepreneurs to sell); and 6) Having good awareness (strong marketing and demonstration effect).

How did the team use consumer feedback to refine the Ring Pakka design?

After initial testing with a 36-inch diameter design, consumer feedback revealed that they were willing to pay almost double for a 45-inch platform. This insight led to the adjustment in size, making the product more desirable and viable in the market.

What role did local entrepreneurs play in the development of the Ring Pakka platform?

Local entrepreneurs played a key role in the co-creation process by providing expertise in platform production and installation. Their input helped refine the design, making it more practical and feasible for local production and distribution.

What was the significance of the color choice for the Ring Pakka platform?

The color choice, red, was important for making the platform visually appealing and aspirational. It also helped with product marketing, as the color made the platform stand out in the community and conveyed a sense of prestige.

How did the Ring Pakka design balance affordability with durability?

The design ensured that the platform was affordable by using low-cost materials and utilizing existing production infrastructure. It also balanced durability by designing the platform to meet consumer expectations for a product that would last a reasonable amount of time (e.g., 10 years), without over-engineering it for longer-term use, which would increase costs unnecessarily.

What is the impact of the Ring Pakka platform on local entrepreneurs?

The Ring Pakka platform has significantly increased business opportunities for local entrepreneurs by allowing them to diversify their offerings. Entrepreneurs who previously focused only on latrine production have now expanded their businesses by producing and selling the platform, doubling their potential revenue.

What are some of the challenges still faced in scaling the Ring Pakka model?

Challenges include ensuring the scalability of training and branding without relying on project funds. The team is working to develop a sustainable business model that can support widespread adoption of the platform while maintaining affordability and local production capacity.