Human-Centred Design for a Skills-First Transformation | PDFL PodcastEpisode Summary

In this episode of the Product Design for Learning podcast, host Greg Arthur is joined by Charlie Kneen from Solvd Together to discuss human-centred design for a skills-first transformation. They explore the realities of skills-based organisations, the pitfalls of traditional competency frameworks, and how businesses can genuinely embed skills-first approaches.

Charlie shares his perspective on why many organisations are missing the mark with skills strategies, the importance of outcome-driven design, and how experience design can drive real behavioural change. They also tackle common challenges in workplace learning, the role of leadership, and how human-centred design can be applied at scale to shift organisational culture.

Guest Profile

Charlie Kneen is a learning strategist and human-centred design advocate at Solved Together, a consultancy focused on solving business challenges through innovative design thinking. Charlie is passionate about rethinking traditional approaches to skills development, challenging the status quo in learning and development (L&D), and designing experiences that create lasting impact.

Key TakeawaysWhat is a skills-first transformation, and why does it matter?

• Many organisations are rebranding traditional competency frameworks as "skills strategies" without changing their approach.
• A true skills-first organisation requires fundamental shifts in strategy, rather than just new tech or frameworks.
• Human-centred design helps companies rethink their approach by focusing on outcomes, not just structures.

How do skills, competencies, and tasks differ?

• Competencies are often compound skills that vary in different contexts, making them difficult to measure effectively.
• A task-first approach focuses on what people need to do rather than broad, vague skills.
• Businesses should start with strategic goals, then work backwards to define the skills that drive those outcomes.

Why are traditional skills strategies failing?

• Many organisations invest heavily in complex competency frameworks that don’t get used.
• There’s an overreliance on tech-based solutions that don't address the core challenges of skill-building.
• A skills-based organisation should be social and dynamic, rather than a rigid framework applied from the top down.

How can organisations shift to a human-centred design approach?

• Start with the end goal: What is the business trying to achieve? Then design backwards.
• Prioritise real-world experiences over theoretical learning. Simulating real challenges leads to more effective learning.
• Adopt an outcome-driven design mindset: rather than focusing on content, focus on the experiences that will drive behavioural change.

How can large organisations embed human-centred design at scale?

• Organisational change requires both top-down leadership buy-in and bottom-up employee engagement.
• Different teams and individuals may need different learning experiences to achieve the same overall transformation.
• Tracking data continuously, rather than relying on outdated pulse surveys, helps businesses stay agile in their learning strategies.

Chapters and Timestamps[00:00] – Introduction to the Episode

• Greg Arthur introduces Charlie Kneen and the topic of human-centred design in a skills-first transformation.

[00:55] – What Does Skills-First Really Mean?

• Charlie challenges the idea that most companies are truly skills-based.
• The difference between competencies, skills, and tasks.

[02:38] – The Problem with Competency Frameworks

• Why traditional approaches fail to deliver meaningful skill development.
• The role of outcome-driven design in making learning effective.

[07:21] – The Two Camps in L&D

• One group believes L&D is dying, while another believes it’s thriving.
• How skills-first transformation is being used as a buzzword in both conversations.

[13:08] – How Do You Convince Stakeholders to Shift Mindsets?

• How Solved Together helps organisations embrace strategic transformation.
• The importance of working with clients who already align with human-centred design principles.

[18:24] – Why Experience Design is Crucial for Behavioural Change

• The difference between knowledge transfer and true learning through experience.
• Real-world examples of how experience design creates stronger learning outcomes.

[25:00] – Scaling Human-Centred Design in Large Organisations

• How large businesses can implement human-centred approaches without overwhelming their workforce.
• The importance of removing barriers rather than just introducing new frameworks.

[32:37] – The Role of Data in Learning & Performance

• Why businesses need to move beyond one-off surveys and adopt continuous data tracking.
• How employee experiences provide more valuable insight than traditional L&D reporting.

[47:17] – The Future of Human-Centred Design in L&D

• Will anything truly change in L&D by 2035?
• Why many companies will still be making the same mistakes in a decade’s time.

[53:07] – Practical Steps to Get Started with Human-Centred Design

• Redefining what L&D is truly there to do.
• Tracking time and resources to ensure learning interventions are strategic and impactful.

[55:10] – Final Thoughts & Where to Learn More

• Charlie shares details about Solved Together’s Learning Labs and upcoming industry events.

About the Podcast

Product Design for Learning is a podcast dedicated to exploring how product design principles can enhance learning experiences. Hosted by Greg Arthur, the podcast features conversations with experts in learning design, product strategy, and experience design, offering insights on how to create more impactful, human-centred learning solutions.

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