PERSONAS
A summary of shared goals, needs and why people act in a certain way
Why How Time
Creating personas as human reference Personas are ‘characters’ created using data collected from experiences of real people. They will 30-90 minutes
points allows you to empathise and help you communicate the importance of your project to others and prioritise design decisions.
connect emotionally with the people
1. Print the Persona Worksheet template A3 size
your work will affect.
Work on it as a team.
Personas highlight the problems and Resources
unmet needs that exist in the context of 2. Refer to your data to identify your personas
your project. Generally, you will have between 1 and 3 groups within those you’ve studied that will • Data – your research findings
form 3–5 different personas. Find common connections between people, e.g. they may be • A3 Persona Worksheet template
connected by a problem they have or other factors important to your project, including
• Persona Summary template
location, how they access your potential solution, etc.
• Pens
When 3. Name your persona • Access to iStock or equivalent photo
Don’t use the name of someone you interviewed or know — it will block your thinking. library
EBCD Approach (inner circle)
4. Use your research knowledge to complete the template
Gather and Understand phases
It is easiest to start with a name, gender and age.
Redesign Model (outer circle)
5. Add a picture to further humanise your persona
Diagnostics and Solutions Download it from a library of images, e.g. iStock. Tips
6. Create a summary
• Once you have built your persona,
Use the information on the worksheet to write a story about your persona; that will
always refer to them by name.
become your summary. Make sure it includes the key surprises you have discovered and
the quotes from interviews. • Use your personas to inform your
decisions as a team, e.g. “Would
7. Refer to your persona often <Betty> need/want that?”
Particularly when you need to make decisions or tell others about the people that matter
in your project.
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PERSONA TEMPLATE
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PERSONA TEMPLATE
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PERSONA EXAMPLE
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PERSONA SUMMARY EXAMPLE
Barry, (71) Attending rehabilitation after stroke
Barry is a fairly fit 71 year old who had a stroke recently. His wife Jean was able
to get him to hospital quickly and he is now accessing rehabilitation services to
regain his strength and mobility.
Barry and Jean used to focus on and spend a lot of time with their grand
children. They are keen to continue travelling and also ensure they are
independent as long as possible.
It is important to Barry that he is still seen as the decision maker and patriarch of
the family. He feels anxious and ashamed if the family see him struggling.
Barry wasn’t aware of all the rehab and other services offered by the clinic. He
was surprised and annoyed that no-one told him that the services existed so close
to home. He discovered it by chance.
Time
30-90 minutes
Quotes Key Points
“Jean and I will still be able to do the Barry and Jean were not aware of the
things we have planned” services available – both allied services,
“I am still the protector and head treatment options and other services
of this family” like transport.
“I am ashamed I have to ask Independence is extremely important.
for help so often” He feels shame and hides pain rather
than look vulnerable to his family.
“I try to engineer situations so
Barry is still in control “(Jean)
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