Human-Centered
Consulting & Design
Our proven human-centered process puts people first and technology second, which brings to light different needs and real insights that enable tailored collaboration solutions.
CONSULTING APPROACH
Our process puts people first and technology second
Our process allows us to design technology solutions for your organization by not only considering your technology needs and challenges, but also the critical workspaces and human elements that contribute to the user experience. This approach offers us the flexibility to think outside the box, dig deeper into problem-solving, and ultimately unlock the most value for your workplace transformation.
We put the most important part of any system — the people — at the very start.
Traditionally, technology design has been a technology-centered process with minimal engagement of the people using it. Failing to understand and consider different stakeholders’ needs is now a bigger risk than ever, as technology has become business critical to enable new ways of working.
The increase of remote working, and how it has evolved into hybrid arrangements, has accelerated the need to adopt new ways of working and organizing. Many aspects of the work experience now need to be seen in a different light, such as talent attraction, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, decentralized decision-making, faster innovation, and the adaptability and resilience of an organization.
As all of us are trying to figure out how to achieve these outcomes, and it’s become even clearer that what worked in the past no longer works for the future. We are in the midst of figuring out what work might look like for each organization, and how technology can support their very different needs and expectations.
All of this shows that we need a different approach to designing technology — one that can support our ever-evolving ways of working.
Based on our intense work with clients from different businesses, as well our passion for discovering new ways of working for ourselves, we developed a process that includes the most important part of any system — the people — at the very start. We design based on people’s needs.
"ET Group took the time to understand our needs as an organization and worked with us to develop a custom strategy tailored to our particular needs. Through detailed consultation, quick response times and excellent customer service, they have helped the York University Student Centre Build an AV program that will serve students for years to come, and help us deliver our mission to our community."
"From the start of our new office build through to our move-in date, ET Group were outstanding business partners. They pushed our thinking on the use and integration of technology not only in our corporate offices but throughout our organization, proposed a wide range of technology options to meet both specific departmental and budgetary requirements and have provided us with solid after sale service."
"Your team dug down and found out what the issues were. There would have been no way of our team being able to troubleshoot most of these issues."
“The Innovation Labs got us so excited about the possibilities for our new company direction with regards to our spaces, our technology, and how it interconnects with our people.”
Featured Insights
Check out our work!
Explore some innovative projects we've done for our valued clients — from upgraded boardrooms to exciting and interactive social spaces!
Experience our Award Winning Consulting Process
Watch the Video
Phase 01
Understanding Stakeholders
Different stakeholders bring different needs and expectations to a hybrid work environment. Our human-centered approach will surface challenges, use cases, and workflows to help define the desired user experiences.
- Develop Stakeholder Map
- Interviews and Observation
- Conduct Document Review
- Conduct Technology Analysis
Phase 02
Aligning Priorities
In a facilitated meeting with key stakeholders, we will review the data and insights gathered, invite constructive discussion of all stakeholder perspectives, and ultimately gain alignment on priorities for the project.
- Summary of Findings
- Prepare a Hosted Deep Dive Session
- Host a Stakeholder Alignment Meeting
- Reach Alignment on Priorities
Phase 03
Conceptual Design & Prototypes
Using the insights on different stakeholders' needs as well as the alignment on priorities, we craft a conceptual design of potential solutions—a glimpse of what could be, a first taste, and a starting point that is specific enough to invite reflections.
- Build Key Use Cases and User Stories
- Match Technology to Key Priorities
- Build Prototypes
Phase 04
Testing & Iterating
Together we will refine the design by testing the conceptual design and prototypes in a co-creative manner. By experiencing different potential solutions you’ll gain clarity on which fit best and we’ll help further sharpen the understanding of your needs.
- Test Prototypes and Gather Feedback
- Reflect on Original Priorities
- Refine Conceptual Design
Phase 05
Detailed Design
We will distill the refined conceptual design into specific plans, construction drawings, layouts, and material lists into a complete package that allows you to move forward with clear direction
- Develop Detailed Design
- Refine Budget Estimate
- Preset Final Design to Key Stakeholders
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Can design thinking bring clarity to the hybrid work experience?
The hybrid workplace will stand or fall on the quality of the technology experience. Canada’s ET Group is using the principles of design thinking to make user experience central to the development process.
Start your hybrid journey with a complimentary consultation.
Our workplace technology specialists will guide you through a complementary process to surface your workplace pains, gains, workflows, user experience, and more.