Bringing Design toDialogic Design

Peter Jones, PhD

OCAD University, TorontoDialogic Design International

2015 International Conference on the Science of Dialogic Design

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Hugh Dubberly & Harold Nelson arguethat design processes are embodimentsof systems thinking.

Banathy (& Gharajedaghi)advocate a designing

orientation to social systemsas designing.

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Where do design & systems thinking intersect?

Based on R. Horn, 2004, Adapted with permission.

Some context.

• Systems science has preferred theories for system description(explanation), prediction (control), & intervention (change).

• Contributions of modern design disciplines - industrial,information, service design – to systems are marginal, so far.

• “Design” seen as problem solving, or system design.

• Social systems design can connect design thinking to complexsocial domains – healthcare, urban planning, governance.

• Which are (now) everything – social, services, networks.

Peter Jones, PhD

OCAD University, TorontoInstitute for 21st Century Agoras

ISSS 2014 July 31, 2014

Systemic Design Principles forComplex Social Systems

Design thinking deals well with complexity.

Design must become more systemic –for complex concerns.

Complex domains have > stakeholders

Design 1.0 Craft design, Advertising

Design 2.0 Industrial, Products, Web

Design 3.0 Organizational & institutional

Design 4.0 Distributed social systemsMixed stakeholders

Compatible philosophies, different generations.

Generation: First Second Third Fourth

Philosophy Rational1960’s

Pragmatic1970’s

Phenomenological1980’s

Generative2000’s

Methods Movementfrom craft tostandardizedmethods

Instrumentality,Methodscustomized tocontext

Design research andstakeholder methodsDesign cognitionUser-centered

Generative,empathic &transdisciplinaryHuman-centered

Authors& trends

Simon, FullerDesignScience,Planning

Rittel, JonesWicked problems,Evolution

Schon, Don NormanUser-centered &Participatory DesignReflective action

Dubberly, SandersGenerative DesignService DesignSystemic design

Systemsinfluences

Sciences,ORCybernetics

Natural systemsSystem dynamicsSystemsengineering

System dynamicsSocial systemsSoft systems

ComplexitySocio-ecologicalDialogic

Participatory

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Training New System Designers.

MDes STRATEGIC FORESIGHT & INNOVATION• Business & Design Thinking• Human Factors• Systemic Design / Systems Thinking• Innovation Research Methods• Strategic Foresight• Innovation Strategy• Business Model Innovation• Strategic research with faculty & students

+ MDes DESIGN FOR HEALTH (2016)

10 Shared Design Principles

Systemic Design Principle Design Methodologies

1. Idealization Iteration2. Appreciating Complexity Sensemaking3. Purpose finding Saliency - Meaning-making4. Boundary framing Provocation and strange-making5. Requisite variety Multiple perspectives6. Feedback coordination Modeling7. System ordering Structuring8. Generative emergence Future projection9. Continuous adaptation Multiple reasoning modes10. Self-organizing Co-creation

Guidance for complex systems design from systems,cybernetic & complexity principles.

Foundation for practitioners to enhanceengagement and evolve better practices.

Elicited from systems theories, but not new.

Lead to net new frameworks for design in:Patient-centred healthcare systemsSustainable business modelsOrganizational governance

“The primary aim the two systems of thought share today is enabling organized high-leverage action in increasingly complex and systemic problems as design situations.”

Design methods associated with principles

Systemic Design Principle Design Methods

1. Idealization Framing, Iteration, Backcasting2. Appreciating Complexity Sensemaking, System sketching3. Purpose finding Inquiry (5 Whys), Prototyping4. Boundary framing Critical probes, Strange-making5. Requisite variety Co-creation, Function analysis6. Feedback coordination Modeling, Interactive Testing7. System ordering Structuring, Pattern making8. Generative emergence Future creation,9. Continuous adaptation Multiple reasoning modes10. Self-organizing Co-creation, Facilitated design modes

We might also observe design of: Time (4), Space (3), Information (3)

Design methods associated with principles

Systemic Design Principle Dialogic Design Methods

1. Idealization Futures Creative, Values discovery2. Appreciating Complexity Influence Map3. Purpose finding Defining Triggering Question4. Boundary framing TQ, Application design5. Requisite variety Stakeholder discovery & selection6. Feedback coordination Structured facilitation, Print sheets7. System ordering Structuring, Clustering8. Generative emergence Shared Language, Interpreting ISM9. Continuous adaptation Interpretive Systems Design, Action Planning10. Self-organizing Stakeholder coalition forming

We might also observe design of: Time (4), Space (3), Information (3)

Mapping Systems Principles to Design Models

• Discovery and orientation• Definition and concept formation• Optimization and planning• Evaluation and measurement

Model drawn in part fromEvenson and Dubberly, 2010

Four universal patterns across 50innovation processesvan Patter and Pastor (2013)

Mapping Systems Principles to Design

10 Shared Design PrinciplesPrinciple Design Methodologies1. Idealization (time) Framing, Iteration clarifies toward a shared goal

SDD: Futures Creative, Values discovery

Design Principle Design Methodologies

2. Appreciating Complexity Sensemaking, System sketchingSDD: Influence Map

3. Purpose finding Saliency - Meaning-makingSDD: Defining Triggering Question

4. Boundary framing Provocation and strange-makingSDD: Triggering Question, Application design

All people are health-seekersA health-seeking journey occurs over a lifetime, a continuity thatproceeds through youth, adulthood, & older age.

5. Requisite variety Multiple perspectivesSDD: Stakeholder discovery & selection

Design Principle Design Methodologies

6. Feedback coordination Modeling, MappingSDD: Structured facilitation, Print sheets

7. System ordering Structuring informationSDD: Structuring, Clustering

8. Generative emergence Future projectionSDD: Shared Language, Interpreting ISM

Design Principle Design Methodologies

9. Continuous adaptation Multiple reasoning modesInterpretive Systems Design, Action Planning

10. Self-organizing Co-creation, Local Facilitation ModesStakeholder coalition forming

Conclusions & Questions

• Ten general relationships across systems & design disciplines

• Robust with respect to theory & praxis

• Serve an integrative function across design projects forcomplex social contexts.

• Design competencies address gaps in current SDD practice:- Lack of methods defined for Discovery- Contested ways of enacting Action from planning- Creative approaches to Coalition formation- Ability to better adapt & stage practices to differing cultures