Module 2: Digital Development

[GE / Living in the IT Era]
1 Introduction to Digital Age
Module 2: Digital Development

At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. Define the principles of Digital Development
2. Identify the core tenets of each principle
There are 9 Principles of Digital Development
1. First is, Design with the User.

 This is different from designing for the user. Designing With The User can only be attained through
conversation, observation, and co-creation with the people, client, or target market who will be using the
eventual digital product or tools.
The Core tenets of this first principle Design with the User are as follows:
 It should Incorporate multiple user types and stakeholders in each phase of the project lifecycle to direct
feature needs and revise the design.
 It should have clear objectives and open to a process of repetition
 It should improve users’ current processes
 And aside from considering the needs of the underserved it should always be open to people opting out of
the design process
2. The second Principle is, Understand the Existing Ecosystem.

 The Ecosystem is the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal and other factor within
the group or geographical location where the final design product will be used. A very important thing to
note is that the ecosystem is everchanging thereby requiring that digital developers check and analyze their
assumptions.
The Core tenets of this principle are the following:
 Coordination, consultation, and constant engagement with civil society groups, the government, or all
stakeholders from the start of the project until project completion to avoid duplication and ensure smooth
integration with the existing technical system if any.
3. The third Principle is Design For Scale.

 The elusiveness of achieving scale is a goal that has been hard for digital developers because of pilotitis. The
mHealth describes it as the inability to move initiatives beyond the pilot stage. From the start it is a must to
Design For Scale. Designing for scale means planning and strategizing beyond the pilot stage. Aside from the
obvious concern about funding the initiative and continuously funding it after the pilot stage, digital
Course Module
developers must take into consideration its usability and bottom line affordability in order to achieve scale in
the future.
The Core tenets:
 Design and Plan for Scale from the start. Keep the design simple but flexible and adaptable. Devise a funding
model that incorporates the partners who can help fund and sustain the initiative. And remember to
demonstrate the impact after gathering enough evidence that validates the initiative before any attempt to
scale.
4. Principle number 4 is to Build for Sustainability.

 Very closely related to designing for scale is building for sustainability because this fourth principle is about
ensuring user and stakeholder support be maximized and uninterrupted. Working hand-in-hand with NGOs,
Corporations, or the Government ensures that the initiative achieves institutionalization in the policies,
processes, and user workflow.
The 4th principle’s core tenets are:
 Plan, build, and implement a sustainable model from the start. Collaborate and engage with all stakeholders
particularly partners for funding. And design a program that is adaptive to changes in user context.
5. The 5th principle of Digital Development is Be Data Driven.

 Informed decisions by the decision makers can only be achieved if the initiative is data driven. Data
produced and collected from such as those from surveillance, research, operations, project management,
and even secondary sources enable the right people to make the right course of action.
The core tenets are:
 Always design with a focus on the outcome which is measurable and incremental. Similar to starting the
initiative where in developers engage all stakeholders, data sourcing, collection, and analysis must also be
holistic. It must also bridge the gaps of knowledge within the development community and adhere to
international standards of interoperability.
6. The 6th of the 9 Principles is to Use Open Standards, Open Data, Open Source, and Open Innovation.
 More often than not, digital content and innovations are locked away behind licensing fees only to be used
and available to specific sectors. To help increase collaboration in the digital development world an open
approach through open source technologies, open innovation, open data and open standards that still takes
into account the practical, technical, security, and privacy constraints should be the way to go.
The core tenets of the 6th principle are:
 Develop new digital codes or technologies that are freely viewed, copied, modified, shared, and distributed in
open or public platforms. In the same manner adopt and expand on open data, standards, or innovation
done by other digital developers in the community. This enables a wide collaboration and co-creation of
software, systems and tools.
[GE / Living in the IT Era]
3 Introduction to Digital Age
7. The 7th Principle is Reuse and Improve.

 This is very much related to the 6th principle. Reusing and improving an existing or currently available
resource, tools or products greatly makes you more efficient because of reduce costs of development and
testing. Your improvement of the existing technology will help the global development community once you
have shared it openly.
The 7th principle’s core tenets are:
 Identify and evaluate existing tools or software used by your target market or users and see how you will be
able to improve them. Ensure that what you reuse, develop, and improve on will also be easily adopted and
further improved by others.
8. The 8th and penultimate principle is to Address Privacy and Security.

 This involves careful consideration about which data are collected and how they are stored and shared.
Organizations or entities collecting data should be responsible enough to be transparent in how they collect
and use personal data. Security measures and policies that protect and uphold an individual’s dignity and
privacy should be in place and made known to the individual.
 Consider and understand the risks by performing a risk-benefit analysis not only to countries but more so to
individuals and communities who would be impacted positively or negatively if the data collected leaks out.
Always keep the best interest of the individuals or end-users particularly their privacy and security before
collecting any data. It is imperative to define who will own the data, who will have access, and how collected
data will be used before any data can be collected or captured. Always implement an informed consent so
that participants understand why data is being collected and that they have an option to refuse participation.
9. The 9th and Last principle is to Be Collaborative.

 This principle not only brings all other principles together but is actually part and parcel of each and every
principle of digital development. Simply put, collaboration is the sharing of strategies, insights, and
information across individuals, sectors, projects, and organizations leading to increased impact and efficiency
of the initiative.
 Engage with local and international partners, leaders, experts and organizations across disciplines, industries,
and countries in all phases of the project life cycle. Document and share findings and advancements in a
Creative Commons License as well as participate in conferences of the digital community.
Course Module
References and Supplementary Materials
Online Supplementary Reading Materials

1. ICT systems and their usage;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/system/0ictsystemsrev1.shtml; May
9, 2018
2. Benefits of ICT for Society and Individuals;
https://www.scribd.com/doc/44798019/Benefits-of-ICT-for-Society-andIndividuals;
May 9, 2018
3. The evolution of communication: effects on the world of science;
https://sci10sectionm.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/the-evolution-
ofcommunication-effects-on-the-world-of-science/; May 9, 2018

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[GE / Living in the IT Era]

1 Introduction to Digital Age

Module 2: Digital Development

There are 9 Principles of Digital Development

1. First is, Design with the User.

2. The second Principle is, Understand the Existing Ecosystem.

The Core tenets of this principle are the following:

3. The third Principle is Design For Scale.

The Core tenets:

4. Principle number 4 is to Build for Sustainability.

The 4th principle’s core tenets are:

5. The 5th principle of Digital Development is Be Data Driven.

The core tenets are:

The core tenets of the 6th principle are:

7. The 7th Principle is Reuse and Improve.

The 7th principle’s core tenets are:

8. The 8th and penultimate principle is to Address Privacy and Security.

The core tenets are:

9. The 9th and Last principle is to Be Collaborative.

The core tenets are:

Online Supplementary Reading Materials

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