Design as a method for systems change

In October, the Relating Systems Thinking and Design Symposium took place in Canada.

As the parent of a toddler, let's just say there were some systemic barriers to being able to attend in person – but I followed along with interest, and this newsletter is part reflection on the connection between design and systems change inspired by the symposium, and part reflection on some of the work we've been doing this year in helping systems practitioners adopt design-led approaches to change.

It's still accurate to say that most design work optimises existing systems: faster processes, clearer communication, smoother journeys. But what if streamlining a broken system just helps it discriminate more efficiently?

On the other hand, traditional systems change work identifies leverage points and interventions without necessarily having a wider suite of methods and tools to enable communities to shift it.

When we only improve experiences within broken systems, we make them more bearable and therefore more durable.

When we only analyse systems without practical tools for transformation, it can be hard to know how to effect the change we know is needed.

We've brought systems thinking and design together across many projects over the years, and this newsletter presents new work and new thinking which demonstrated pairing design-led approaches with systems thinking in the energy sector.

Design doesn't just need to be about optimisation. It can be a positive force for disruption and change, too.