Tilpassing

Tilpassing is the process of modifying or adjusting products, services, environments, or behaviors to fit the needs, conditions, or preferences of a person or context. The objective is to improve fit, usability, accessibility, performance, or satisfaction. The concept spans several Scandinavian languages; in Danish and Norwegian it is tilpassing, while in Swedish it is tillpassning. In English, equivalent terms include adaptation and customization.

Tilpassing occurs across many domains. In design and technology, it includes localization, configurable interfaces, ergonomic adjustment, and adaptive or responsive systems that adjust to user input or environmental context. In education, tilpassing refers to differentiated instruction and tailored learning paths to accommodate different abilities, interests, and pace. In workplaces and services, tilpassing involves accessibility accommodations, policy adjustments, and flexible workflows to support diverse users and workers.

Approaches used to achieve tilpassing include user-centered design, participatory design, inclusive or universal design, and adherence to accessibility standards such as WCAG. Process-wise, it often involves user research, prototyping, testing with target groups, and iterative refinement.

Challenges include balancing standardization with customization, cost and complexity, potential privacy concerns, and ensuring equity across different user groups. Overemphasis on customization may lead to fragmentation; thus, principled guidelines and scalable patterns are commonly advocated.

See also: adaptation, customization, accommodation, accessibility, inclusive design.