Does a design-led approach fit my challenge?

A tool to exploring whether a design-led approach is right for your challenge and for developing a clear design question

Does this sound familiar? You have already tried all sorts of things, but the challenge you are working on proves stubborn? Or perhaps you have realised that the usual approach of making a plan and applying the rules simply is not working? Maybe different interests are far apart, your challenge is running up against existing systems, or you simply do not know how to move forward.

If so, a design-led approach could help you move forward. It is not a magic solution, but it is a different way of working: rather than starting from the system, you start with the people affected by the challenge. By looking at the challenge differently and experimenting with ideas, you can often discover solutions you would not have thought of beforehand.

Wondering whether this could work for your challenge too? Use this tool to explore when a design-led approach can add value, and how to develop a design question for your challenge.

Who is it for?

• Civil servants, project leads and professionals who want to explore whether a design-led approach could be relevant to the challenges they are working on.

• Designers who want a clear explanation of how a design-led approach can be applied to societal challenges and used in collaboration with others.

When to use it?

• To explore whether a design-led approach is suitable for your challenge.

• When preparing a proposal or in initial conversations, to help demonstrate the relevance of a design-led approach.

• To work with a designer to develop a clear and focused design question.

This tool was developed by De Publieke Ontwerppraktijk (PONT).