4. Deploy well-developed and established design methods, in combination with an intuition-based approach. "You can select from several design methods that have already proven to be useful for general IT applications, such as market-based and user- centered approaches," the study points out. Market-based methods "understand the current needs of consumers and what products are available to them." User-centered methods "get customer input, either by talking to them directly or observing them using products." Intuition-based methods, meanwhile, "generate ideas among the design team based on brainstorming or applying knowledge gained from past experience about what product is needed."

5. Research customers and markets early on, to inform the product’s design. "You should validate whether there is a real need for a product early in the design and development process. You can use a variety of approaches to assess the potential of your ideas in the market through research, gap analysis and product benchmarking. Other ideas include informal and formal discussions with existing or potential customers including those on the design team. Brainstorming sessions with the design team or reflecting on past product development experiences are other alternatives to be utilized."

6. Base design decisions on prototyping and pilot testing. It's important to test product design continually throughout the development process, say AHRQ officials. "You can use many different prototyping techniques," they write. "Low fidelity prototypes are low cost, simple illustrations of designs or concepts, usually on paper or digital documents. Medium fidelity prototypes more closely resemble the actual product but use inexpensive resources, such as HTML, PowerPoint or Flash. High fidelity prototypes are more expensive and closer to the look and functionality of the actual product. Before large-scale development, you will want to pilot test an early working version of the product to find and correct problems."

7. Define and tailor success metrics based on specific customer segments. "You should understand what will make your product appeal to your customer segments. Depending upon needs and expectations, you may need metrics looking at whether the product is culturally appropriate, fun, motivating, and persuasive," according to the report. "For consumer health IT products, metrics are often in the context of the health or wellness concern. For chronic conditions, measuring motivations to use a product over time may be important. For a product that is promoting health behavior change, such as smoking cessation, the focus may be on persuasive communication."

8. Keep the safety and privacy concerns specific to health IT top-of-mind. "Health IT products that do not conform to rigorous standards for product safety, privacy, and data security could pose a risk not only to your company but to your consumer," the study reads. "When customers are not protected, they are likely to have negative attitudes and reject products." Researchers add that, "Consumer health IT products must take into account customer perceptions and concerns about safety and privacy. Personal health information is extremely sensitive for customers who are concerned about the negative outcomes of privacy violations."