Approaches to participatory design in Africa in the age of cloud computing

In this short paper we explore new approaches to participatory software development in the age of cloud computing and in the perspective of empowering end-users and user organisations in developing countries. In the past, ownership of a system was closely aligned with proximity to the system, and having it "under my control on my computer". With the introduction of cloud computing, while the distance between the system and the user has increased infinitely, the challenge is to maintain the ownership that users feel they have over the system. Specifically, we explore 2 key ways in which the infinite distance associated with cloud computing is overcome to support local ownership "on the ground". First, how, despite the system being stored "in the cloud", various intermediaries are emerging to ensure that the software continues to evolve in response to the requirements of users "on the ground". Secondly, we examine design principles that are becoming embedded in the system that empower users to effect change. This paper draws on the long-standing Health Information Systems Programme (HISP) action research project that has unfolded over the last 20 years. The empirical basis for this paper draws on the technical and political efforts of the HISP network in designing, deploying and supporting the maintenance and use of the District Health Information Software for use in the public health domain mainly in developing country contexts.