brukssentriske

Brukssentriske is a Norwegian term describing a perspective or approach that centers on how a product, system, service, or data is actually used in real-world contexts. The core idea is to prioritize use patterns, user tasks, workflows, goals, and situational constraints over purely technical specifications or producer-centric considerations. A brukssentriske stance seeks to understand how people interact with a thing in practice, and why certain design choices enable or hinder effective use.

In practice, brukssentriske approaches are applied across fields such as information systems, software development, and data governance. In design and development, they translate to user research, task analysis, scenario-based design, usability testing, and iterative refinements driven by observed usage. In data and analytics, the focus shifts to how data products will be used to support decision-making, what decisions they should inform, and how outputs fit into work processes and routines. The aim is to create solutions that deliver real value in everyday practice, rather than achieving optimal performance in an abstract or idealized scenario.

The concept is closely related to, and often appears alongside, user-centered or human-centered design, with an emphasis on actual use and social practice. It acknowledges that use is shaped by context, culture, work practices, and constraints, and that successful design must accommodate those factors. While widely discussed in Norwegian professional and academic contexts, brukssentriske remains a flexible descriptor rather than a fixed doctrine, adaptable to diverse disciplines and problems.