Get It Done: The “Do” Phase in Human Centred Design (HCD)

Bring it all to life with real-world impact and momentum to grow and succeed.

You will:

Execute your ideas, learn from feedback, and keep improving.
Focus on progress, not perfection, and make an impact in the real world.

EXPLORE

1

DEFINE

2

DISCOVER

3

CREATE

4

TEST

5

DO

Welcome to the “Do” Phase: Turning Ideas into Reality!

Hey, action-taker! So you’ve defined your problem, ideated like a rockstar, and validated your concepts through testing. Now it’s time for the best part—making it all happen! Welcome to the "Do” phase of Human Centred Design (HCD), where we roll up our sleeves, execute our brilliant ideas, and start making a real impact.

This phase is all about getting things done, learning as you go, and embracing the journey. Perfection? That's overrated. Progress? That’s where the magic happens. Ready to bring your ideas to life? Let’s dive in!

Why the “Do” Phase is the Secret Sauce to Success

Ideas are great, but they're nothing without action. The “Do” phase is where you put your ideas into practice, learn from the real world, and make the adjustments needed to hit the sweet spot. This is where the rubber hits the road, and your vision starts to take shape in the market

Here’s why the “Do” phase is a game-changer:

Turns Ideas into Impact:

Execution is where your ideas make a difference—whether it’s launching a new product, rolling out a service, or tweaking a business process.

Provides Real-World Feedback:

There’s no better teacher than the real world. By implementing your ideas, you’ll get invaluable feedback that you can’t find in a brainstorming session.

Builds Momentum:

Once you start doing, you create momentum. Each step forward fuels the next, bringing you closer to your goals.

The Challenges of Implementation (and How to Nail It)

Implementing ideas can feel like herding cats—lots of moving parts and unexpected challenges. But don’t worry, with the right mindset and a few smart strategies, you can keep things on track and moving forward.

Analysis Paralysis:

The fear of getting it wrong can stop you from getting started. Remember, done is better than perfect. Start small, learn fast, and iterate.

Limited Resources:

When time, money, or peoplepower is tight, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Focus on the essentials—what can you do right now with what you have?

Losing Focus:

It’s easy to get distracted or overwhelmed when implementing. Keep your goals clear and prioritise tasks that drive the most impact.

Case Study: How Airbnb “Did” Their Way to the Top

When Airbnb first started, the founders didn’t have a grand vision of disrupting the travel industry. They just needed a way to make rent. So, they put up a simple website, offered air mattresses and breakfast in their apartment, and listed it during a big conference in San Francisco.

This was their MVP—a bare-bones version of what would eventually become Airbnb. They got feedback, learned what people wanted, and iterated rapidly. They didn’t wait for perfection; they executed, learned, and kept improving. That scrappy approach led them to identify a massive market opportunity and turn Airbnb into a global phenomenon.

Guided Activity: Get Doing!

Ready to make things happen? Let’s put your ideas into action!

1 Step 1: Create an Action Plan

Start by breaking your big idea into smaller, manageable tasks. Use a simple project management tool like Trello or Asana to create a task list, set deadlines, and track progress. The key is to keep things moving and maintain momentum.

2 Step 2: Define Your Metrics

Identify 2-3 key metrics that will help you measure success. Keep it simple and focused… these will be your guideposts as you move forward.

Measure What Matters:

Identify a few key metrics that align with your goals—these are your North Stars. Whether it’s user engagement, sales conversions, or customer satisfaction, track these metrics closely to understand what’s working and what needs tweaking.

Example:

If you’re launching a new feature on your app, you might track:

User Adoption Rate: How many users are using the new feature?
Retention: Are users coming back to use it again?
Feedback: What are users saying about it?

3 Step 3: Start Small with an MVP

You don’t need to launch the perfect product or service on day one. Start with a Minimum Viable Product(MVP), the simplest version of your idea that can still deliver value. Get it into the hands of users quickly, learn from their feedback, and iterate from there.

Pro Tip: Don’t get bogged down in details. Progress is more important than perfection. Set small, achievable goals, and keep the momentum going!

Tools, Tricks, and Hacks for Smooth Implementation

Ready to turn your ideas into action? Here's how to “do” it effectively, even on a tight budget and timeline.

Iterate with the “Do-Learn-Do” Cycle:

The best way to improve is by doing, learning from the results, and then doing it again… better. After you implement a change, take time to reflect. What worked? What didn’t? Use this insight to refine and improve.

Automate and Delegate:

Look for ways to automate repetitive tasks with tools like Zapier or IFTTT. And don’t be afraid to delegate—whether it’s to team members or freelancers on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Focus your energy where it’s needed most.

Hack It: Set up regular check-ins (weekly or bi-weekly) to review progress and make adjustments. Keep these sessions short and focused… think 15-minutestand-ups or quick team huddles.