Short answer
When planning to implement a new design or innovation, first define your goal (e.g., guide the process, understand barriers, evaluate success) and then choose the specific theoretical model or framework that best aligns with that goal, rather than using a generic approach.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Implementation Science (2015)
- Method
- Conceptual analysis and synthesis of existing literature
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Understanding the distinct aims of different implementation theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) allows designers to select the most appropriate approach for describing, guiding, or evaluating the translation of research into practice. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Implementation Science. Using Conceptual analysis and synthesis of existing literature, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When planning to implement a new design or innovation, first define your goal (e.g., guide the process, understand barriers, evaluate success) and then choose the specific theoretical model or framework that best aligns with that goal, rather than using a generic approach.
Categorizing implementation theories improves design strategy selection for successful innovation.
Understanding the distinct aims of different implementation theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) allows designers to select the most appropriate approach for describing, guiding, or evaluating the translation of research into practice.
Implementation Science · 2015
Key Findings
- 01Implementation theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) serve three overarching aims: describing/guiding implementation processes, understanding/explaining factors influencing outcomes, and evaluating implementation.
- 02Five categories of TMFs are proposed: process models, determinant frameworks, classic theories, implementation theories, and evaluation frameworks.
- 03Process models provide 'how-to' guidance and recognize temporal sequences but often lack specific determinant identification.
- 04Determinant frameworks identify factors influencing outcomes but offer limited 'how-to' guidance and lack an explicit process perspective.
- 05Awareness of the distinctions between these TMFs is crucial for selecting the most relevant approach for a given implementation endeavor.
Application
Design takeaway
When planning to implement a new design or innovation, first define your goal (e.g., guide the process, understand barriers, evaluate success) and then choose the specific theoretical model or framework that best aligns with that goal, rather than using a generic approach.
How to apply
When developing a new product, use a 'process model' (e.g., Design Thinking stages) to guide the development and launch, and simultaneously use a 'determinant framework' (e.g., Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations) to identify potential barriers and enablers for user adoption.
Project actions
- 01Before starting a design project, identify if your main challenge is 'how to do it' (process), 'what might go wrong/right' (determinants), or 'how to check if it worked' (evaluation).
- 02Research specific models or frameworks that fit your identified challenge (e.g., for user adoption, look at Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations; for project management, look at Agile methodologies).
- 03Don't be afraid to combine elements from different frameworks if they address different aspects of your design challenge.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a clear categorization of theoretical approaches, simplifying a complex field.
- +Emphasizes the importance of strategic selection, leading to more effective implementation.
- +Highlights the limitations of using only one type of framework (e.g., process models lacking determinant detail).
Limitations
This paper is theoretical; applying it directly to a specific product design might require adapting the concepts. It doesn't tell you *which* specific model to pick, just *how to think about picking* one.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of this conceptual framework would depend on its consistent application across different implementation contexts by various researchers. Its validity would be supported if its use consistently leads to more effective selection of implementation strategies and improved innovation outcomes in practice.
Think critically
How might a designer combine a 'process model' (like the Double Diamond) with a 'determinant framework' (like the Technology Acceptance Model) to create a more robust strategy for launching a new smart home device?
Design Principles
"Strategic Framework Selection: Choose implementation frameworks based on the specific design challenge and desired outcome (process guidance, determinant analysis, or evaluation)."
Designers frequently engage in translating novel ideas or research findings into tangible products or systems. This paper provides a structured way to think about the 'how' of implementation, which is crucial for successful innovation and product development within the design context.
What This Means for Your Design
When you're trying to get a new idea or product out there, don't just guess. There are different types of 'maps' (theories, models, frameworks) that can help you. Some maps show you the steps to take, others help you figure out what might stop or help your idea, and some help you check if it worked. Picking the right map for your specific problem makes it much easier to succeed.
How to use in your project
- 1.In Criterion A (Identifying the problem and designing the solution), when discussing your design brief and research, you could state: 'To ensure effective implementation of the [product name], a combination of a process model (e.g., iterative design) and a determinant framework (e.g., considering factors influencing user adoption) will be employed, as suggested by Nilsén (2015), to guide development and anticipate challenges.'
- 2.When outlining your design process, explicitly link your chosen steps to a recognized 'process model' and explain why it's suitable.
- 3.When analyzing potential user acceptance or market entry, reference 'determinant frameworks' to explain what factors you are considering.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Nilsén (2015) highlights the importance of distinguishing between different types of implementation theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) based on their overarching aims: describing/guiding processes, understanding influencing factors, or evaluating outcomes. For this project, a [mention specific process model, e.g., iterative design process] will be used to guide the development stages, while a [mention specific determinant framework, e.g., Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory] will be applied to analyze potential user adoption barriers and enablers. This strategic selection of TMFs, as advocated by Nilsén, ensures a comprehensive approach to both the 'how-to' of design and the 'what influences' its successful implementation.
Source
Implementation Science
Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about categorizing implementation theories improves design strategy selection for successful innovation?
- When planning to implement a new design or innovation, first define your goal (e.g., guide the process, understand barriers, evaluate success) and then choose the specific theoretical model or framework that best aligns with that goal, rather than using a generic approach. Evidence: Implementation Science (2015).
- Why does "Categorizing implementation theories improves design strategy selection for successful innovation." matter for design?
- Designers frequently engage in translating novel ideas or research findings into tangible products or systems. This paper provides a structured way to think about the 'how' of implementation, which is crucial for successful innovation and product development within the IB DT context.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When planning to implement a new design or innovation, first define your goal (e.g., guide the process, understand barriers, evaluate success) and then choose the specific theoretical model or framework that best aligns with that goal, rather than using a generic approach.
- What were the main findings?
- Implementation theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) serve three overarching aims: describing/guiding implementation processes, understanding/explaining factors influencing outcomes, and evaluating implementation.. Five categories of TMFs are proposed: process models, determinant frameworks, classic theories, implementation theories, and evaluation frameworks.. Process models provide 'how-to' guidance and recognize temporal sequences but often lack specific determinant identification.. Determinant frameworks identify factors influencing outcomes but offer limited 'how-to' guidance and lack an explicit process perspective.
- What research method was used?
- Conceptual analysis and synthesis of existing literature.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from Implementation Science.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing a new product, use a 'process model' (e.g., Design Thinking stages) to guide the development and launch, and simultaneously use a 'determinant framework' (e.g., Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations) to identify potential barriers and enablers for user adoption.
- What are the limitations?
- The paper is a conceptual analysis and does not present empirical data. Its focus is on implementation science, which may require adaptation for direct application in product design contexts.