# Usage of personas in the construction industry

## TL;DR

This study explores how personas are used in technical development within the construction industry and how their adoption can be improved.

## Contribution

The study identifies factors influencing the adoption of personas and suggests communication strategies to promote user-centric methods.

## Key findings

- Previous knowledge and perception of personas influenced developers' decision to use them.
- Almost half of the organizations use user-centric design methods in technical development.
- Tailored training and communication can help spread the adoption of user-centric methods.

## Abstract

Background: This study on the use of personas was carried out during a building trade related software development EU project. Participants were introduced to the personas tool and encouraged to use it in their work in technical development.

Methods: A questionnaire was delivered three months after presentation and explanation of the remote tool, inquiring about benefits, drawbacks, intention of using personas in the future, and the role of usage related information as a whole in technical development.

Results: Previous knowledge about the tool, perceptions of the tool and its actual use seemed to influence developers in their decision to use it or not.

Conclusions: Almost half of the organizations in our study use real user-centric design methods in their technical development; this can ease the path for wider adoption of the methods when needed. One possible solution to strengthen the understanding and adoption of the user-centric methods is to spread information among technical developers, by identifying and using efficient communication channels, such as tailored training. User-centric methods seem to have gained followers in the technical development arena, indicating that this may be a feasible way for further adoption of user centricity in product development.