Designing for the satisfaction of high-level needs: Introducing the Ideation Need Mapping (INM) methodology

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a methodology that can support the process of understanding and designing for the satisfaction of high-level needs in practice. The satisfaction of high-level needs has seldom been in focus when it comes to customer satisfaction surveys or the process of new product or service development. However, needs do occur on various levels, and the satisfaction of high-level needs actually appears to have the greatest potential for the creation of loyalty among customers and customer satisfaction. The satisfaction of high-level needs has furthermore been pointed out as a strategy for the creation of attractive quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on literature studies and the application of the Ideation Need Mapping (INM) methodology in a specific case.

Findings

The paper presents the INM methodology that could be used for guiding product and service innovation in practice. More specifically, the methodology supports the process of understanding and designing for the satisfaction of high-level needs.

Originality/value

This paper aims to contribute to envisioning and demonstrating how the understanding of, and design for, satisfaction of high-level needs can be done in practice.

Citation

Stenmark, P. and Lilja, J. (2014), "Designing for the satisfaction of high-level needs: Introducing the Ideation Need Mapping (INM) methodology", The TQM Journal, Vol. 26 No. 6, pp. 639-649. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-08-2012-0058