‘New beginnings’ is a phrase that only works when both words are true and the systems around them support their realization. Change is easy to call for and promise, yet far more difficult to deliver. Among the greatest myths of behaviour change are the role individuals play in shaping their actions and the related outcomes. […]
System Entanglements and Change Read More »
Design and evaluation are a two-way street and both fields of practice are wise to learn each others’ language Design is what shapes our products and services and brings them to life. Great design is transformative. Evaluation is the means to understand what is transformed, how it takes place, and what impact that transformation has
Evaluation and Design: Language for Innovation Read More »
Evaluation is not a word that fits easily into design practice, but when it does, it lays bare what it achieves. Every designer needs to understand evaluation. Not every designer needs to know how to do it, but they need to know evaluative thinking. Without it, designers are set to fulfill what Charles Eames once
Design Choices and Their Outcomes Read More »
Our models of design and Design Thinking can enhance our ability to shape human systems without trivializing it’s importance. Design shapes all human systems – families, organizations, communities and even our individual lives. We do things with purpose, materials, intent, and interaction with the world and design is what takes ideas about such things and
Design’s Accessibility Problem Read More »
One bright idea is pretty but a collection of ideas put into practice over time, sustainably, is beautiful (and real innovation). Sustainable innovation — a process, practice, and culture of design-driven creativity — might be the most valuable outcome for any organization. Real, sustained innovation is not about creating a single item — product, service, policy
Taking Ideas Into Sustainable Innovation Read More »
Learning is at the heart of innovation and works best when evaluation is part of the process to spot what’s actually learned. Learning is a critical part of innovation and evaluation is about understanding its role. There are many definitions of innovation out there. After years of experience, observation, and study I’ve found them lacking
Learning for Innovation Read More »
The time to bring together three fields of practice focused on shaping the future with evidence and imagination is here. Design thinking is about problem-finding, solution-seeking, and creating the things — programs, products, services, and policies — that contribute to the solution. Futures and Strategic Foresight are about examining trends and patterns in a context
Design Thinking, Futures & Evaluation Read More »
Without connecting monitoring of our programs with our principles and strategy, we are simply creating impotency in our organizations. The events of January 6th, 2021 at the United States Capitol were appalling to anyone who cares about that republic, democracy, and decency. While a mob incited by the sitting president stormed the building and forced
Monitoring, Principles and Impotent Strategy Read More »
What does it take to innovate? We look at the basics and what they mean for individuals and organizations looking to do it. Innovation is often equated with its products, not its process. That’s one of the reasons it’s often mis-understood and poorly done at an institutional level because the emphasis is placed on the
The Mindset, Skillset, Toolset for Innovation Read More »
Design Thinking is not only a means to innovate, but as a means to heal and grow. After a year that by most people’s standards was ugly beyond any others in recent memory, our need for beauty, sustainable and responsible businesses, supportive communities, and viable, service-forward industries needs this.
Design Thinking’s Triple-B Future Read More »
