Co-design readiness: policies and frameworks
About the 'policies and frameworks' co-design readiness domain
Effective co-design is not an accidental achievement but a result of well-thought-out policies and frameworks. The 'Policies and Frameworks' domain explores the structural elements within an organisation that either facilitate or obstruct co-design efforts. This includes having clear policies, and useful frameworks, understanding ethical considerations and conducting thorough risk assessments. Having these structures in place not only guides the co-design process but ensures that it is conducted ethically, safely, and to the benefit of all participants involved.
'Policies and frameworks' co-design readiness assessment questions
Questions to ask yourself to gauge how well your policies and frameworks guide your co-design activities:
My organisation has a co-design policy in place that outlines its co-design principles and guides co-design efforts at a high level.
My organisation has co-design guidelines in place that outline what a 'default' co-design process looks like and what should be considered at each step of the way.
My organisation has a meaningful approach to conducting risk assessments covering physical, mental and organisational risks related to co-design activities.
My organisation has a policy in place regarding the dissemination of relevant insights following the conclusion of co-design projects
My organisation has existing guidelines that specify when co-design should and shouldn’t be used as the most appropriate engagement method
Tangible ways that you can improve your suite of co-design policies and frameworks to increase your organisational readiness for co-design
If your organisation has scored low on this domain or you are looking for tips on how to establish or refine a fit-for-purpose suite of co-design policies/framework to enhance the effectiveness of future co-design processes, here are some tangible examples that your organisation could commit to:
Development of a co-design policy: create a high-level policy that outlines what co-design means to your organisation, alongside co-design principles and statements of commitment.
Development of co-design guidelines: create comprehensive guidelines that provide a clear framework for how co-design efforts should be conducted within the organisation. This can include procedures for engagement, ethical considerations, and risk assessments associated with co-design activities.
Risk assessment protocols for co-design: develop and implement protocols for conducting meaningful risk assessments covering physical, mental, and organisational risks related to co-design activities, ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.
Knowledge sharing: draft a policy regarding the dissemination of insights following the conclusion of co-design projects. This can ensure that key findings are shared in a transparent and timely manner with relevant stakeholders and participants.
Guidelines on co-design applicability: formulate guidelines that specify the scenarios in which co-design is deemed the most appropriate engagement method, aiding in the discernment of when to employ co-design for maximum effectiveness.
Develop co-design policies and frameworks to do 'good' co-design
Having robust policies and frameworks is a cornerstone for co-design readiness. These elements are not just 'nice to have'; they are the backbone of ethical, effective, and sustainable co-design practices.
About the Beacon Strategies organisational co-design readiness assessment tool
The Beacon Strategies Organisational Co-Design Readiness Assessment Tool is an instrument that has been designed to evaluate an organisation's preparedness and capability to engage in effective co-design practices.
The tool is based on a combination of our insights in delivering co-design work but also inspired by the work of co-design thought leaders from Australia and beyond regarding the ‘enablers’ that organisations can have in place to deliver co-design effectively. This tool focuses on key domains that are central to delivering a ‘good’ co-design process. This tool isn’t academic in any way, it has simply been constructed to give your organisation an insight into how you can give your co-design activities the best chance to succeed.
To assess your organisation's readiness for co-design and to learn more about embedding effective co-design practices, access the Beacon Strategies Organisational Co-Design Readiness Assessment Tool.
Test your organisation’s score for free at https://co-design.scoreapp.com/
For further information and resources, visit our co-design homepage.
