Short answer
Adopt a participatory framework that explicitly defines roles, responsibilities, and methods for stakeholder engagement from project inception to evaluation.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Sport Management Review (2017)
- Method
- Qualitative research synthesis and framework development.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Integrating stakeholder perspectives directly into the research and development process leads to more relevant and effective outcomes. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in Sport Management Review. Using Qualitative research synthesis and framework development., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Adopt a participatory framework that explicitly defines roles, responsibilities, and methods for stakeholder engagement from project inception to evaluation.
Empowering Stakeholders Through Participatory Design Frameworks
Integrating stakeholder perspectives directly into the research and development process leads to more relevant and effective outcomes.
Sport Management Review · 2017
Key Findings
- 01Participatory research in sport-for-development is complex and influenced by existing power structures.
- 02There are significant opportunities to enhance impact by more effectively involving stakeholders.
- 03A structured framework is needed to navigate the challenges of participatory research in this field.
Application
Design takeaway
Adopt a participatory framework that explicitly defines roles, responsibilities, and methods for stakeholder engagement from project inception to evaluation.
How to apply
When initiating a new design project, map out all potential stakeholders and plan structured engagement points, such as workshops, interviews, and iterative feedback sessions.
Project actions
- 01Identify all potential users and stakeholders early on.
- 02Plan regular opportunities for feedback and co-creation.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Draws on extensive primary research over a decade.
- +Provides a practical framework for implementation.
Limitations
It can be challenging to gather feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders, and their input may sometimes conflict.
Reliability & validity
The synthesis of multiple primary research studies across different countries enhances the generalizability and validity of the findings.
Think critically
How might existing power dynamics within a design team or organization influence the effectiveness of a participatory design approach?
Design Principles
"Co-design with stakeholders to ensure relevance and efficacy."
Involving end-users and affected communities in the design and research phases ensures that solutions address genuine needs and contexts. This approach can uncover unforeseen challenges and opportunities, leading to more robust and adopted innovations.
What This Means for Your Design
When designing something, it's best to ask the people who will use it or be affected by it what they think and involve them in the process.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of user research and co-design methods in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the importance of participatory approaches in design, suggesting that actively involving stakeholders throughout the design process can lead to more effective and relevant outcomes. By synthesizing findings from sport-for-development initiatives, the study emphasizes that a structured framework for engagement is crucial for navigating complexities and maximizing opportunities for co-creation.
Source
Sport Management Review
Participatory research in sport-for-development: Complexities, experiences and (missed) opportunities
journal · 2017
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about empowering stakeholders through participatory design frameworks?
- Adopt a participatory framework that explicitly defines roles, responsibilities, and methods for stakeholder engagement from project inception to evaluation. Evidence: Sport Management Review (2017).
- Why does "Empowering Stakeholders Through Participatory Design Frameworks" matter for design?
- Involving end-users and affected communities in the design and research phases ensures that solutions address genuine needs and contexts. This approach can uncover unforeseen challenges and opportunities, leading to more robust and adopted innovations.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Adopt a participatory framework that explicitly defines roles, responsibilities, and methods for stakeholder engagement from project inception to evaluation.
- What were the main findings?
- Participatory research in sport-for-development is complex and influenced by existing power structures.. There are significant opportunities to enhance impact by more effectively involving stakeholders.. A structured framework is needed to navigate the challenges of participatory research in this field.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative research synthesis and framework development..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2017 journal from Sport Management Review.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating a new design project, map out all potential stakeholders and plan structured engagement points, such as workshops, interviews, and iterative feedback sessions.
- What are the limitations?
- The framework's applicability may vary depending on the specific cultural and political context of the sport-for-development program.