Designing a Learning Organization: Insights from the HCD Certification Program

In today's fast-evolving landscape of digital transformation and advanced development, the need for a common language in the workplace has never been more critical. One initiative that shines a light on this necessity is Apirits' HCD (Human-Centered Design) certification program, which has proven to be instrumental in fostering effective communication among diverse roles in product development.

Background and Purpose

The HCD certification program was designed with a clear goal: to promote a user-centric design philosophy across all organizational levels, bridging gaps between engineers, designers, consultants, and management. The absence of a user perspective can often lead to miscommunication, project setbacks, and quality issues. Therefore, Apirits launched this initiative to equip employees with the foundational knowledge of HCD, thereby enhancing both implementation capabilities and design thinking.

Research Overview

A significant part of the project included a thorough evaluation of the program's effectiveness through surveys and data collection, focusing on the learning processes and outcomes of the certification candidates. This investigation was carried out in November 2025 among Apirits employees who passed the HCD certification exam. Out of a pool of candidates, 56 completed the survey to provide insights into their experiences.

Key Findings

Among the notable results of the initiative is the impressive achievement of having 103 employees pass the certification on its inaugural run. This accomplishment was made possible by a holistic approach that integrated educational incentives, learning environment enhancements, and cultural development strategies.

One remarkable statistic highlighted in the findings is the substantial increase in the capability to explain HCD concepts. The percentage of participants who felt confident in their ability to articulate these ideas surged from 16% prior to taking the exam to an astounding 74% afterward. This indicates a profound shift in understanding and communication clarity within the organization.

The program also found that a concentrated learning period of 2-3 weeks proved most effective, with 55% of participants adhering to this learning schedule. Additionally, feedback indicated that 42% of successful candidates dedicated between 10 and 19 hours to their studies, showcasing a commitment to the learning process.

An intriguing aspect was the dual motivation driving participation in the program. Both extrinsic rewards—such as monetary bonuses—and intrinsic desires for self-improvement played significant roles in encouraging employees to engage in the certification process.

Beyond the individual successes of the program, the emphasis on creating a common language among different roles was noteworthy. Over half of the certified individuals were engineers, suggesting the program's effectiveness in providing learning opportunities outside the design realm, thus fostering interdisciplinary cooperation.

About the HCD Certification

For those interested in delving deeper into the outcomes and organizational implications of the HCD certification program, a comprehensive white paper is available for download. This document details the results of the initiatives undertaken and the collective learning journey of the participating employees. Interested parties can obtain the PDF by visiting Apirits' official document request page.

Further Support and Contact Information

Apirits is committed to supporting organizations in implementing HCD principles and improving user experience design. Our offerings range from HCD consulting and UX research to service design, organizational structuring, and agile development support. If you're looking to enhance your organization's design capabilities, we encourage you to reach out via our corporate website.

Company Overview

Apirits Inc. operates from its headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo. The company specializes in web, gaming, and digital personnel training services. For more information about our services, please visit our corporate site at Apirits.com.