Maslow's framework offers a practical design lens for any organisation, product, or programme. The central question it poses is: which level in the hierarchy does what I am building actually address? And the follow-up: does that match the level at which my audience is primarily operating? A financial literacy programme delivered to people whose primary unmet need is food security will underperform — not because financial literacy is unimportant, but because it addresses an esteem/safety need while the audience is at physiological level. A mentorship programme for young people who do not yet feel they belong will lose participants — not because mentorship is wrong, but because it addresses esteem-level needs while belonging needs are unmet. Getting this alignment right is one of the most powerful design decisions you can make.