Hublink: a case study in participatory design and open source in the third sector

Abstract

This case study describes the development of Hublink, a case management system developed during 2013 and now in use by 9 Third Sector organisations in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, UK. Participatory Design offered ways to deliver this project that was consistent with the social values and resource constraints of the partner organisations. In this case study, the use of Open Source Software together with Participatory Design contribute to enable long-term sustainable ownership, ongoing customisation and flexible use of the technology in the community context.