A personal inventory asks participants to collect, display, and discuss the physical objects, tools, apps, and resources they rely on to accomplish a specific goal in their daily life. By making visible the full ecosystem of things a person uses, not just the product you are designing, a personal inventory reveals the broader context in which any new design will need to fit. It often surfaces unexpected competitors, dependencies, and workarounds that no other method would reveal.
Personal Inventory
Mapping the full ecosystem of tools people use to get things done
A
Designers Academy
18 March 2025 · 4 min read
ResearchMethods
In brief
A personal inventory is a design research method where participants collect, display, and discuss all physical and digital tools they use for a specific goal, revealing the broader context for new designs.
