Designing for Real People, Not Perfect Scenarios

By Jena Armstrong

When we design a process, it’s tempting to imagine an ideal world:

Sounds nice, right? The problem is that real life doesn’t work that way. People are busy, distracted, and juggling competing priorities. Students balance classes, labor roles, and personal responsibilities. Staff manage multiple tasks and unexpected interruptions. Faculty navigate teaching, advising, and research.

If our processes only work in a perfect scenario, they’re destined to fail in reality. That’s why designing for real people, with all their challenges and constraints, is essential for continuous improvement.