What is Edge?
EDGE is a problem solving process or framework that guides you in creating digital solutions that are well-designed, effective, and sustainable.
The four phases of the EDGE framework aim to understand the problem, find existing solutions, develop a proposal, generate prototypes, test, and refine each iteration.
The Explore phase of the EDGE framework involves researching and
gathering information about the problem that the digital solution
is intended to address. This includes identifying
user personas,
finding data sources, and defining
criteria for success.
Existing solutions are analysed with
usability principles to gain insight
on what is effective.
Mind mapping is a useful tool during this
phase to explore the problem and its context. The Explore phase
can help create a solid foundation for the development of a
successful digital solution.
The Develop phase of the EDGE framework involves designing and building the
skeleton of your application.
Algorithms and data structures
are key components for developing a solution that can process and
manipulate data effectively. User experiences (UX)
and user interfaces (UI) are critical for
ensuring that the solution is
easy to use and meets the needs of its intended users. Overall,
the Develop phase is a critical step in bringing the digital
solution to life and preparing it for deployment.
The Generate phase of the EDGE framework involves
creating prototypes of the solution
and annotating code to refine it.
Building prototypes allows for feedback and iteration
before the full solution is developed, this reduces any error, bugs, and bad user experiences.
Code annotation is where comments and notes are added to code
to document its utility and effectiveness. This builds and understanding of the code, making it easier to
modify, update or potentially fix in the future. The Generate phase is vital
for the development of a digital solution as it ensures that the final
solution meets the needs of its users and is high quality.
The Evaluate phase of the EDGE framework is where the digital
solution is tested, evaluated, and refined to ensure that it meets
all criteria. User testing is a as it can uncover
any usability issues or areas for improvement. The impacts of
the solution also need to be evaluated, such as economical, social,
and personal impacts. Based on the results of the evaluation,
recommendations are be made to improve the solution, by proposing changes to code, user interfaces,
or the overall solution. This phase is helps to ensure that the digital
solution is effective, efficient, and meets the needs of its users.
EXPLORE
EVALUATE & REFINE
GENERATE
DEVELOP