Playbook for universal design

Universal design methods for more inclusive solutions

Actor Network Add/remove

Purpose:

The purpose of the actor network is to gain an overview over all the actors that might be influenced or can influence a project and why, as well as how they are interconnected with other actors.  It is a great tool to have in the back of the mind for when determining who to include in a creative process and when.

Step by step Facilitating tips Materials needed Goes well with Download template (pdf)

Tips to include participants who are not able to:

See

Make sure to have a partner that can do the writing, or use a software that has text to speech abilities.

Focus

Increase or reduce the time for brainstorming dependent on the type of focusing limitations

Touch

Make sure to have a partner to spar with and can do the writing or use a software that can be controlled with other means than hand gestures.

Think

Increase or reduce the time for brainstorming dependent on the type of thinking limitations.

Hold

Make sure to have a partner to spar with and can do the writing or use a software that can be controlled with other means than hand gestures.

Overview

Input

A project theme

Output

Overview of actors

Complexity

Simple

Time

30-60min

Participants

1-3

Activity

Core abilities:

  • Writing
  • Communication

Step by step:

  1. Start by writing down the core of your project

  2. (3min) Brainstorm over who and what could be influenced by a potential solution – an actor can both be a specific person, a type, non human objects, information etc.

  3. (3min) Brainstorm over who and what could influence a potential solution

  4. (10 min) Cluster the actors into themes/backgrounds/profession/how they influence/how they are influenced etc. (a cluster can also be just one type of actor)

  5. (10 min) Connect the clusters by how they are interconnected.

  6. Repeat as necessary

When doing this method you should consider:

  • This method can also be performed like a mindmap where you do the connecting immediately.
  • Update the Actor network as you go on in the project.

Materials needed:

  • Post-its
  • Template