Three types of user-centred design approaches are:

- Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)
- Co-operative / Participatory Design
- HCI / Star Life Cycle Methodology

The aim of UCD is to involve the user at the centre of the design. UCD draws strongly on the fields of study related to HCI. UCD is also a highly iterative method of systems development. Because of this necessary iteration throughout the design, conventional design techniques such as the Waterfall Model are not suitable for UCD.

Different systems design methods have different levels of "user-centredness". Technical-centred design has a low level of user involvement. They simply help in producing a list of requirements.

Joint user-specialist development is more user-centred. User-led development is even more centred on the users. The system developers simply provide the technical knowledge of how to implement a system. The users need to understand how the system should work and what it should do.

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)

The Soft Systems Methodology concentrates on a holistic view of the system and its environment / context. SSM analyses the "situation of concern" rather than the "problem" (which has to be defined). It is a highly qualitative, interpretative, and subjective approach.

Co-operative / Participatory Design

Co-operative and participatory design methods involve working with actual users of the system (both current and future users). The involvement of management from the client business is reduced in order to let the users express their needs and concerns free from any pressures from "above".

The HCI / Star Life Cycle Methodology is discussed in more detail at HCI / Star Life Cycle Design Approach.

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