Holistic, Collaborative, Ecological, and Coevolutionary Characteristics of Service Design Process

Abstract

Objective: This paper discussed the characteristics of service design process by comparing with product design process. Background: Service design has different design outcomes, project participants, and design constraints than product design. Method: The comparison took two perspectives: one was shorter-term, design process of a service, and the other was longer-term, process of service development. Results: It was discussed that service design process is similar in overall, but has four differences. First, the role of design is required earlier and longer in the process, which means service designers need to participate from the begging of the project to service operation. Thus service designers are required to have holistic viewpoint of the project. Second, service design requires many design expertise thus collaboration needs to be well defined and managed throughout the process. Third, since service provider has limited resources, regulations, and market competition, some service features cannot be provided. Service designers are required to know both customers’ needs and functional constraints. Last, service design is highly coupled with service operation. Designing and providing service happens at the same time and evolves over time. Conclusion: Consequently it was asserted that the role of designers in service design is essential for success. In specific, the role of service design architect, who manages design process and design outcomes, is a new and important role in service design project.