Based on a user centered approach, by combining Abductive Thinking , Sweat Equity and Ethnography, the design process can be strengthened and help designers visualize the complex relationships that develop when dealing with wicked problems.

Clean drinking water may have become a “taken for granted” feature for most of us but it still remains a luxury for the rest―primarily the underprivileged in the less developed countries. As of the year 2006 (and pre-existing for at least three decades), there is a substantial shortfall in availability of potable water in less developed countries, primarily arising from industrial contamination and ground pollution. As of the year 2000, 27% of the populations of lesser developed countries did not have access to safe drinking water ((UNICEF)).

In the Winter of 2007, Hope to One Life Inc. (H2O) expressed a desire to redesign the BSF and mold based on its current. Edward Dupuy, Dean of Graduate studies, SCAD sits on the board of H2O and along with Prof. Verena Paepcke were looking for someone to take this on as a class project. During the same time, I was searching for a thesis topic and had expressed a desire to work on something like this. Since the topic aligned with my interest, I decided to take it on as a experimental project, just to immerse myself into the problem.

The Sand filtration technology has been known to humans since the Greek civilization. This technology was transformed into an invention by Dr. Manz with his BSF.  Also, we could go ahead one step further and conclude that the BSF has proven its ability to affect society rapidly for a positive change thus being a true innovation. If innovation empowers societies, then design empowers an innovation. An innovation just like trends needs to revive itself periodically for a sustaining diffusion into the community.

Any analysis of diffusion of an innovation is incomplete without the understanding of the active participants and stakeholders of the system. Among secondary research conducted over the web, no studies exist to clearly identify the role of genders in the life cycle of a BSF’s training, construction, installation, use, service and destruction. This section analyzes the division of labor and genders as observed in the rural setting of the Farm, Rakayata Vilaage as well as a city setting of Tex Tychon’s fabrication facility in Kampala, Uganda. In working alongside of the villagers who were producing and installing the BSF, it was discovered the participation of male and female members of the community had different, and somewhat disconnected roles. (Fee)

The following observations were carried out at Tex Tychon’s house, where his team manufacturers BSF’s. Tychon is the only manufacture of quality BSF’s and molds in the whole of Uganda and even supplies the molds and filters to parts of Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania.  The media is sourced from a nearby stone quarry. A thicker PVS pipe is also sourced indecently by Tychon. Hope 2 One life Inc. bought a mold for $500 from Tychon for the Farm.

A holistic look on the problems of the BSF with respect to its stakeholders. The Gap in the diffusion of this filters innovation is large. If stepping back and viewing the larger picture, one can see the missing links. Richard Buchanan defines such problems as a "Wicked Problems". A Wicked Problem has many complex relationships between clients, users, stakeholders and others involved indirectly or directly with the product or system. These relationships may sometimes be hidden and uncovering them is often difficult. A Wicked problem does not have a beginning or an end, neither is there a right or wrong solution. Often, the viable approach is to find the best option available.This diagram shows the pattern of communication between the innovators, creators and users involved with the Bio-sand Filter market.

The project during these two years has covered a lot of ground. The four stages in the development of a design mind are research, execution, communication and propulsion.  Each stage is further divided into 1) immersion levels: indicating the mind understanding the issue and 2) contribution levels: where the mind contributed towards innovation. The benchmarks in each stage are set in a chronological order.

It was realized at the Farm that education campaigns must be strengthened in areas of service and maintenance which currently do not exist. Info-cards such as the following could be handed out to owners after installation. It is important for the village women to understand these rules if BSF’s are to remain effective in the region. A follow-up phone no. is also provided in case of questions or doubts. The poorest of poor have a cell phone in Uganda and the technology could enhance the BSF servicing model. Incoming calls are free in Uganda and hence the service technician is not charged for answering a call.

This section documents the manufacturing process used by the factory workers in creating the BSF bag prototype. The process is based on the facilities and machinery available at that particular factory. The PVC fabric used for the bag material also governed the process. A quicker and easier way may exist in Kampala, unknown to us at this point in time.