Recipes for Systemic Change - Helsinki Design Lab

40 ChapterIn the context of strategic design,ideas are important, but only whenthey lead to impact.AnalysisConsultant & Contractor RelationshipAnalysisExecutionExecutionHandle with CareThe need to develop a coalition of organizations andindividuals who work together to implement the proposalsthat come out of a process like an HDL Studio is one reasonwhy stewardship is so important. This includes being realisticabout what can be handed off and carried out by someoneelse independently, what should be done together, and whatrequires occasional tweaking on the difficult road throughvision, intent, plans, implementation and, ultimately, achievement.Without the broader stewardship arc, the design processis easily all about thinking and not doing—this is preciselywhat we see to be the difficulty with the ‘design thinking’debate and its over-emphasis on helping peoplethink differently. In the context of strategicdesign, ideas are important, but only when theylead to impact. Part of this is appreciating thequality with which an idea is executed and recognizingthat quality of execution and quality ofstrategy are equally important.It is common these days for one group to be involved inanalysis of a problem and designing the solution (consultants)while a different group executes these ideas (contractors). Butthis disconnects an essential feedback loop.In contrast, we are primarily concerned with the overlapor tether between the analysis of problems and the developmentof solutions. Bridging the gap between analysis andexecution can be an unusual role within many organizations,though not to the practice of design. By being involved instewardship across both is it is possible to close the feedbackloop between problem and solution, thereby giving thestrategy a self-learning mechanism that creates a degree ofintelligent flexibility.Strategic Design Stewardship