Design data
products people trust

A framework for product teams. Balance business goals with user trust, and clarify how people’s data will be used.

Developed with insights from 160+ UX designers and data experts
Based on award-winning academic research in Human-Data Interaction
Used by 100+ people in cross‑functional teams

Bring design and data to the same table

Data projects often stall because they lack conceptual clarity early on. Management relies on quantitative data, while UX fights for the user context, but the two teams rarely sit at the same table. The kit aligns both teams early: What data do we actually need, what value does the user get in return, and how do we build trust before writing code?

The workshop

Designed as a kick-off session for a new product or feature, or to be used as single exercises.Duration: 4–5 hoursGroup: Core team + expertsBoard: Get Miro board (opens in a new tab)

Preparation

Some things need to be done before the workshop to spare your time and energy and to focus on the right things.

The workshop is built for Miro, which proved easiest to share and run. The original materials below work with it too: on the board, their content is split into simpler exercises.

Understand & listenLearn the business context, the power dynamics in your company and who your customers are.
Invite the right peopleA core team from design, business and tech, plus the customer view. Experts on call: data, privacy, legal.
Block four to five hoursOr split the phases over several sessions.
Set up the boardCopy the Miro template, or print the cards and the canvas.

1 · Frame Define scope and agreed guidelines

≈ 80 min

Objective & Goals Why are we here?40 min

Goal: Align your team and stakeholders on the intent of the project. Uncover different goals and see them through your customers' eyes.
Action: Write down the business goals and ask critically: can a data-focused approach help here?

Rules & Guidelines By which rules do we want to act?40 min

Goal: Agree with your team how you want to use people's data, GDPR-compliant from the start. A shared viewpoint the whole team can rely on.
Action: Write clearly defined criteria for how you treat data from people. Based on the principles.

Materials: Personal Data Canvas

2 · Create Map data requirements and identify sources

≈ 80 min

Ideation How can we help people and business?40 min

Goal: Find ideas that help people and the business at the same time, and make the trade-offs between both sides visible.
Action: Start from the business goal and the problem people have. Write each idea as a headline with a short caption, discuss, vote.

Data Sources What data do we need to make the ideas reality?40 min

Goal: A reality check: which data do you already have, which do you need, and how accurate is it?
Action: For each idea, list the data you have and need, how you can access it, and how you will protect it.

Materials: Personal Data Pattern Cards, Personal Data Canvas

3 · Reflect Evaluate data value and business impact

≈ 60 min

Estimate Data Value What data do we really need?30 min

Goal: Find out which data you really need and how important it is to people. Uncover biased assumptions about what it is worth.
Action: Place each data type on two axes: value for your idea and value for people. Ask: do we really need it? Will people give us access, and if not, why?

Impact Mapping What impact can the idea have?30 min

Goal: Make the impact of your idea on people and business concrete, intended and unintended, and assign responsibility.
Action: Map intended and unintended effects. Name the two best and the two worst scenarios, and how you would respond or prevent them.

Materials: Personal Data Pattern Cards, Personal Data Canvas, Privacy Model