The concept of user centred design is becoming commonly accepted in the software development industry. Its focus on ensuring that software truly meets the requirements of its users is welcome. Springwater Software strongly believes in the importance of an approach that is user focused. However, we attempt where possible to extend this approach by using participative design methods.

Participative design is essentially the involvement of the actual users of an intended application in that application's design. The participation of the user in the design process is a recognition that the user will inevitably be the most important stakeholder in any project. To provide a truly complete solution it is necessary to ensure that the software matches the precise needs of the organisation that will use it. The only people who really understand what those needs are will be the people that make up that organisation.

The use of participative design does present a degree of challenge to organisations and traditional ideas of software development. However, by involving the users at different stages of the design process the quality and usability of the application will be substantially increased. This innovative approach can provide real organisational benefits.