Sera Tajima Podcast
Understanding Systems Thinking to Prevent Tech Disasters: From Frog to the Gates Foundation
Sheryl Cababa drives a human-centered design practice that is focused on systems thinking and evidence-based design, working on everything from robotic surgery experience design to reimagining K-12 education through service design.
In her work with consultancies such as Substantial, Frog, and Adaptive Path, she has worked with a diverse base of clients including the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, IHME, and IKEA.
Chapters:(00:00:00) Sheryl’s Background: Microsoft, Fitbit, Adaptive Path
(00:04:18) Working for Philips and living in the Netherlands
(00:07:10) Consulting vs Tech
(00:11:30) Running her own practice
(00:16:29) Systems thinking for design
(00:20:02) Thinking about power and inclusion
(00:22:20) Subject matter experts and people impacted by the system
(00:26:05) Being critical is villainized in tech & AI (00:29:30) Companies that are not receptive
(00:35:19) How designers can adopt systems thinking
(00:40:23) Edtech example — Work within the system
(00:42:59) Why technology isn’t the best first solution
(00:48:02) Shortcomings of capitalism
(00:48:02) Stakeholder Mapping: Power + Influence
(01:06:19) Lightning Round
Where to find Sheryl:
Closing the Loop (book)
Where to find Sera:
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
