Short answer
Focus on fostering individual commitment and finding ways to integrate co-design into the client's core operations to ensure its impact.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Aaltodoc (Aalto University) (2016)
- Method
- Qualitative research through follow-up interviews.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
The success of co-design in service development is heavily reliant on the dedication of individual participants rather than solely on the organizational structure or process. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2016 study published in Aaltodoc (Aalto University). Using Qualitative research through follow-up interviews., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Focus on fostering individual commitment and finding ways to integrate co-design into the client's core operations to ensure its impact.
Individual commitment is key to successful service co-design.
The success of co-design in service development is heavily reliant on the dedication of individual participants rather than solely on the organizational structure or process.
Aaltodoc (Aalto University) · 2016
Key Findings
- 01University-led co-design projects often remain peripheral activities with limited influence on core organizational design decisions.
- 02The effectiveness of co-design is significantly dependent on the commitment of individual participants.
- 03Twenty barrier-enabler couples were identified across collaboration, organization, processes, implementation, and methods.
Application
Design takeaway
Focus on fostering individual commitment and finding ways to integrate co-design into the client's core operations to ensure its impact.
How to apply
When initiating a co-design project, invest time in understanding the organizational culture and identifying individuals who are passionate about the project's goals. Develop strategies to make their participation feel integral, not additional, to their existing roles.
Project actions
- 01When planning a co-design activity, think about who will be involved and how you can keep them motivated.
- 02Consider how your co-design work can directly influence the final service, not just be an extra step.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Focuses on practical barriers and enablers encountered in real-world projects.
- +Provides a detailed list of barrier-enabler couples for practical consideration.
Limitations
The study's findings might not apply to all types of organizations or co-design contexts. The success might also depend on the specific skills of the facilitators.
Reliability & validity
The study's validity is supported by empirical data from multiple projects, but reliability might be affected by the subjective nature of interview data and the specific context of the projects studied.
Think critically
To what extent can organizational structures and processes be redesigned to inherently support and benefit from co-design, rather than relying on the goodwill of individual participants?
Design Principles
"Cultivate individual champions and integrate co-design into core organizational processes for sustained impact."
This insight highlights that while structured co-design processes are important, the human element of individual passion and commitment can be a critical differentiator for achieving impactful outcomes in service design projects. Designers must recognize and cultivate this individual drive.
What This Means for Your Design
For co-design to work well in designing services, you need people who really care about it, not just a plan. It's often hard to get these projects to change how a company actually works.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the challenges of implementing co-design in your own design project, particularly if you encounter issues with stakeholder engagement or integration into existing workflows.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that the success of co-design in service development is significantly influenced by the commitment of individual participants and the integration of co-design activities into core organizational processes, rather than being solely dependent on structured methodologies. Projects often face challenges in embedding co-design outcomes into actual design decisions, highlighting the need to cultivate individual champions and ensure co-design is perceived as integral to organizational activities.
Source
Aaltodoc (Aalto University)
The Barriers and Enablers of Co-design for Services
journal · 2016
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about individual commitment is key to successful service co-design?
- Focus on fostering individual commitment and finding ways to integrate co-design into the client's core operations to ensure its impact. Evidence: Aaltodoc (Aalto University) (2016).
- Why does "Individual commitment is key to successful service co-design." matter for design?
- This insight highlights that while structured co-design processes are important, the human element of individual passion and commitment can be a critical differentiator for achieving impactful outcomes in service design projects. Designers must recognize and cultivate this individual drive.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Focus on fostering individual commitment and finding ways to integrate co-design into the client's core operations to ensure its impact.
- What were the main findings?
- University-led co-design projects often remain peripheral activities with limited influence on core organizational design decisions.. The effectiveness of co-design is significantly dependent on the commitment of individual participants.. Twenty barrier-enabler couples were identified across collaboration, organization, processes, implementation, and methods.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative research through follow-up interviews..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2016 journal from Aaltodoc (Aalto University).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating a co-design project, invest time in understanding the organizational culture and identifying individuals who are passionate about the project's goals. Develop strategies to make their participation feel integral, not additional, to their existing roles.
- What are the limitations?
- The findings may be specific to university-led projects and the particular sectors (healthcare, education, technology) studied. The reliance on individual commitment could also introduce variability.