Summary of “This Is Service Design Thinking: Basics, Tools, Cases” by Marc Stickdorn and Jakob Schneider (2010)

Summary of

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Introduction

“This Is Service Design Thinking” is a comprehensive guide by Marc Stickdorn and Jakob Schneider, published in 2010, that introduces principles, tools, and practical applications of service design. The book is especially relevant in the context of Market Validation, offering actionable insights for businesses looking to design or improve services with a user-centered approach. Through collaborative methods and visual aids, the book aims to demystify service design to stakeholders from various industries.

Basics of Service Design Thinking

Service design thinking is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach that combines design methodologies with service management and marketing. The book defines five key principles of service design:

  1. User-Centered
    Major Point: Service design must focus on users’ needs and experiences rather than merely operational efficiencies or profit maximization.
  2. Action: Conduct in-depth user research including interviews, observations, and participatory design workshops to understand user needs.

  3. Co-Creative
    Major Point: Involving all stakeholders in the design process helps generate innovative solutions.

  4. Action: Facilitating workshops with customers, employees, and other stakeholders to co-develop service concepts.

  5. Sequencing
    Major Point: Every service consists of a sequence of interrelated actions; it should be visualized through service blueprints and customer journey maps.

  6. Action: Create a detailed service blueprint that maps out each step of the customer journey, identifying touchpoints and potential pain points.

  7. Evidencing
    Major Point: Making intangible services tangible by physical evidence can enhance the customer experience.

  8. Action: Develop tangible artifacts (like receipts, confirmation emails, signage) to reassure customers and reinforce the service experience.

  9. Holistic
    Major Point: Services should be viewed as whole systems, considering all elements including processes, stakeholders, and environments.

  10. Action: Use systems thinking to evaluate all aspects of the service environment, ensuring a seamless user experience across different channels.

Tools for Service Design Thinking

The book elaborates on various tools and techniques used in service design, many of which are standard in the design community but adapted for service contexts.

  1. Personas
    Description: Fictional characters representing different user types.
  2. Concrete Example: Create detailed personas for a healthcare service redesign, representing doctors, nurses, patients, and caregivers with specific characteristics and needs.
  3. Action: Develop personas by compiling data from user research to ensure diverse user perspectives are considered in the design process.

  4. Customer Journey Maps
    Description: Visual representations of the user’s experiences.

  5. Concrete Example: Map out the journey of a customer using an airline’s service, from booking to boarding to post-flight experiences.
  6. Action: Utilize journey maps to pinpoint critical touchpoints and interactions in the service process.

  7. Service Blueprints
    Description: Detailed diagrams showing the relationship between service components.

  8. Concrete Example: Use a service blueprint to outline the behind-the-scenes processes of a restaurant, including kitchen operations and front-of-house activities.
  9. Action: Create a comprehensive service blueprint to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement within the service delivery.

  10. Prototyping and Testing
    Description: Early versions of service components to explore ideas and gather feedback.

  11. Concrete Example: Develop a prototype of a new mobile banking app and conduct usability testing with target users.
  12. Action: Build low-fidelity prototypes and test them with real users to collect feedback before full-scale implementation.

Case Studies

The book includes various case studies to illustrate the applicability of service design thinking in real-world scenarios.

  1. Finnish Railways Case
    Description: How service design improved the experience of train travel in Finland.
  2. Concrete Example: Personas were developed for different traveler types such as business travelers, families, and tourists, leading to the redesign of train interiors and booking systems to better suit their needs.
  3. Action: Apply user-centered design by creating detailed personas and directly involving them in co-creative processes to refine service aspects.

  4. Health Care Sector
    Description: Using service design for healthcare service innovation.

  5. Concrete Example: Service blueprints were employed to visualize patient experiences in hospitals, identifying key pain points such as long waiting times, leading to streamlined processes and improved patient flow.
  6. Action: Design detailed service blueprints to map patient journeys and identify inefficiencies within healthcare services.

Process

The book outlines a structured process for applying service design thinking:

  1. Exploration
    Major Point: Initial research phase to understand the problem.
  2. Action: Conduct stakeholder interviews, ethnographic research, and competitive analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the service landscape.

  3. Creation
    Major Point: Developing ideas and concepts.

  4. Action: Organize ideation sessions using techniques such as brainstorming, mind mapping, and sketching to generate diverse solutions.

  5. Reflection
    Major Point: Prototyping and testing ideas.

  6. Action: Build low-fidelity prototypes and run user tests to gather actionable feedback, iterating on the designs based on insights.

  7. Implementation
    Major Point: Moving from concept to finished service.

  8. Action: Develop a detailed implementation plan, ensuring all service elements are well-coordinated, and conduct pilot tests before a full-scale rollout.

Examples of Effective Service Redesign

  1. Retail Example: Starbucks
    **Reducing complexity and enhancing customer experience through service design techniques.
  2. Concrete Example: By mapping customer journeys, Starbucks identified the importance of store layout, employee interactions, and menu clarity. Adjustments made based on these insights resulted in a smoother, more engaging customer experience.
  3. Action: Utilize customer journey maps and service blueprints to identify and address bottlenecks in service delivery, aiming for a cohesive and pleasing customer experience.

  4. Transportation Example: Transport for London (TfL)
    Description: Improving user experience on London’s public transport system.

  5. Concrete Example: Personas were created for different types of commuters. Journey maps indicated critical issues, such as unclear signage and inconsistent information, leading to systematic improvements in communication and service.
  6. Action: Develop comprehensive journey maps and personas to guide improvements in public services, ensuring clarity and consistency.

Conclusion

“This Is Service Design Thinking” offers vital methodologies for organizations aiming to refine their services with a user-centered perspective. By involving stakeholders, visualizing service processes, and prototyping iteratively, businesses can create efficient and delightful service experiences.

Key Actions Recap

  1. User Research: Conduct in-depth user research using interviews and observations.
  2. Co-Creation Workshops: Facilitate workshops to involve various stakeholders.
  3. Service Blueprints and Journey Maps: Use these tools to visualize and refine service delivery.
  4. Prototyping and Testing: Develop prototypes and test them with users.
  5. Holistic Evaluation: Assess the entire service ecosystem for seamless experience delivery.

By implementing the strategies and tools outlined in this book, businesses can significantly enhance their service offerings, achieving better market fit and increased customer satisfaction.

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