Client: Arcadis | Year: 2021
Context
Commissioned by our steering committee, we embarked on a purposeful journey within the dynamic realm of sustainability. Tasked with exploring opportunities to amplify sustainability efforts, our multidisciplinary team at the Arcadis Innovation Studio initiated an agile innovation process. Based on our research and our company’s existing technologies, we decided to explore the opportunity of developing a digital twin for intelligent water management—a venture that held the promise of innovation and environmental stewardship.
Commissioned by our steering committee, we embarked on a purposeful journey within the dynamic realm of sustainability. Tasked with exploring opportunities to amplify sustainability efforts, our multidisciplinary team at the Arcadis Innovation Studio initiated an agile innovation process. Based on our research and our company’s existing technologies, we decided to explore the opportunity of developing a digital twin for intelligent water management—a venture that held the promise of innovation and environmental stewardship.
Goals
Within this context, my role was pivotal as I facilitated and led our innovation process, infusing it with UX research. The primary goal was to harness the potential of the digital twin concept, applying it to the realm of water management to enhance sustainability.
Within this context, my role was pivotal as I facilitated and led our innovation process, infusing it with UX research. The primary goal was to harness the potential of the digital twin concept, applying it to the realm of water management to enhance sustainability.
Methods
Navigating challenges in obtaining direct customer insights, I creatively engaged internal Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across the Netherlands, Brazil, the USA, and the UK. Through collaborative workshops, we dissected the intricacies of water management, identified pain points, and illuminated user perspectives. This process was fortified by digital tools such as Miro and Dovetail, facilitating seamless collaboration and insight generation.
Navigating challenges in obtaining direct customer insights, I creatively engaged internal Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across the Netherlands, Brazil, the USA, and the UK. Through collaborative workshops, we dissected the intricacies of water management, identified pain points, and illuminated user perspectives. This process was fortified by digital tools such as Miro and Dovetail, facilitating seamless collaboration and insight generation.
Outcome
Our user-centric insights were instrumental in crafting a compelling Proof of Concept, capturing the attention and validation of our steering committee. As a result, a dedicated digital twin manager was appointed, further propelling the initiative's trajectory.
Our user-centric insights were instrumental in crafting a compelling Proof of Concept, capturing the attention and validation of our steering committee. As a result, a dedicated digital twin manager was appointed, further propelling the initiative's trajectory.
Beyond the immediate project, my role extended to championing ResearchOps practices. By optimizing workflows through tools like Dovetail, Miro, and Teams, I enhanced communication, collaboration, and efficiency. I redesigned our stakeholder repository and introduced structured ceremonies, fostering an environment of continuous improvement.
Through this project, I not only contributed to reimagining sustainable water management but also ignited a culture of learning, bolstering our team's UX research capacity and driving transformative change across the Arcadis Innovation Studio.
Testimonial
"I worked closely with Ben at Arcadis' Global Innovation Studio. Ben is an authentic, passionate and hard-working person, with a huge amount of knowledge and skill around UX research. As a non-UX researcher myself, I learnt a lot from him around research methodologies, avoiding bias, design, facilitating workshops and interviews, and getting to the heart of human needs and desires. He is also great fun to work with, brings humor into the work setting, and places a lot of emphasis on good team dynamics. One thing that really sets Ben apart is that you can tell he genuinely cares about the cause of his work; making a positive difference to the world, doing things the 'right' way, consistently having the goals of the business in mind. Any team would be lucky to have him as a colleague."
"I worked closely with Ben at Arcadis' Global Innovation Studio. Ben is an authentic, passionate and hard-working person, with a huge amount of knowledge and skill around UX research. As a non-UX researcher myself, I learnt a lot from him around research methodologies, avoiding bias, design, facilitating workshops and interviews, and getting to the heart of human needs and desires. He is also great fun to work with, brings humor into the work setting, and places a lot of emphasis on good team dynamics. One thing that really sets Ben apart is that you can tell he genuinely cares about the cause of his work; making a positive difference to the world, doing things the 'right' way, consistently having the goals of the business in mind. Any team would be lucky to have him as a colleague."
- Alice Parker, Business Architect
