designmål

Designmål, or design goals, are explicit objectives that guide the design of a product, service, or system. They describe what the design should achieve for users, the organization, and the broader context, and they help set direction, scope, and criteria for evaluation.

In the design process, designmål inform decisions, prioritize features, and provide a basis for evaluating options. They are typically defined early and revisited as user needs and constraints evolve. They are distinct from requirements in that goals express desired outcomes, while requirements state specific conditions that must be satisfied.

Common categories of designmål include usability and user experience, accessibility, performance and reliability, security and privacy, aesthetics, maintainability, sustainability, and cost or feasibility. Examples include reducing task time, achieving accessibility standards (such as WCAG), ensuring cross‑device compatibility, minimizing energy consumption, and staying within budget.

Formulating designmål involves gathering input from stakeholders and users, developing user personas and scenarios, and ensuring alignment with business strategy. Goals should be translated into measurable criteria using approaches such as SMART criteria, with clearly defined success metrics and acceptance criteria established at the outset.

Designmål relate closely to other project documents, such as the design brief and user needs, and they serve as evaluation criteria in usability tests and reviews. They may evolve during the project, but they should remain aligned with user needs, regulatory constraints, and organizational objectives.