Gauging your organisational readiness for co-design
Co-design is an approach that emphasises the power of collaboration, bringing together diverse stakeholders to shape programs and services that meet the needs of lived experience folks. It's a practice grounded in meaningful engagement that aims to drive innovation and support programs and services to meet the needs of the people they serve.
While the principles of 'doing' co-design are widely acknowledged, the readiness and preparedness of an organisation to deliver a 'good' co-design process can vary significantly. An organisation's structure, culture, and existing processes all play pivotal roles in determining how effectively co-design can be conducted.
Organisations with higher co-design readiness and maturity levels are more likely to deliver effective co-design processes. This shouldn't imply that organisations at an early stage of their co-design journey should not embrace co-design — with every co-design journey comes an opportunity to enhance an organisation's co-design maturity. However, organisations that aim to integrate co-design into their regular business operations should consider several key "readiness domains" for successful implementation. (What is my org’s maturity?)
This blog outlines eight domains correlating to an organisation's readiness to complete an effective co-design process. Each domain will link to a more detailed view of what is included and questions that you can use to assess your organisational co-design readiness.
Organisational readiness for co-design: understanding the eight domains
Ensuring your organisation is well-prepared for co-design is crucial for a successful and effective process. This preparation influences the quality of your project outcomes, shaping the overall experience and the solutions that emerge. Here, we delve into the eight domains of organisational readiness for co-design, providing insights into each area’s significance and offering prompts for further exploration.
8 domains to assess your organisational readiness for co-design
Lived experience commitment
Organisational culture
Strong relationships
Leadership
Resource allocation
Policies and frameworks
Co-design practice
Co-design capability
Lived experience commitment
Incorporating the perspectives of individuals with lived experience enriches the co-design process, adding authenticity and relevance. Mature organisations place these voices at the centre of decision-making, ensuring their contributions are valued and impactful. Read more about lived experience commitment.
Organisational culture
Your organisation’s core values and beliefs play a critical role in fostering a supportive environment for co-design. A mature organisation embeds this commitment deeply within its identity, promoting openness and collaboration across all levels. Explore the role of organisational culture in co-design.
Strong relationships
Building trust and credibility with communities and stakeholders enhances the co-design process. Mature organisations maintain sustained engagement and strong connections, ensuring their co-design initiatives are grounded and effective. Learn about building strong relationships for co-design.
Leadership
Leadership is pivotal in shaping a supportive organisational culture and advocating for shared decision-making. In mature organisations, leaders are active champions of co-design, committed to providing the necessary resources for its success. Discover the importance of leadership in co-design.
Resource allocation
Successful co-design requires adequate financial, time, and human resources. Mature organisations ensure consistent resource allocation, including fair compensation for participants with lived experience. Understand more about resource allocation in co-design.
Policies and frameworks
Well-defined policies and frameworks facilitate a smoother co-design process. Mature organisations have policies and frameworks in place that pave the way for co-design activities, ensuring effectiveness and appropriateness. Read about developing supportive policies and frameworks for co-design.
Co-design practice
Documented co-design guidelines, frameworks and resources make for consistently delivered co-design projects. Mature organisations have co-design processes documented allowing for staff to deliver co-design activities and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the project. Explore best practices in co-design practice.
Co-design capability
The skills, tools, and awareness levels of your internal teams significantly impact the co-design process. Mature organisations have a workforce proficient in co-design methods and ethical considerations. Discover how to enhance your co-design capability.
How does your organisation stack up? Check your readiness:
Ready to assess your organisation's co-design readiness?
Navigating through the intricacies of co-design requires a solid understanding of the approach and awareness of your organisation's readiness to implement it effectively. Each domain of co-design readiness plays a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of your co-design initiatives.
Are you wondering where your organisation stands in terms of co-design readiness? Are you looking to identify areas that need attention or enhancement to ensure smoother, more effective co-design processes?
We have developed an organisational co-design readiness tool that is designed to help you gauge your organisation's preparedness for co-design. This tool provides a detailed assessment across the nine domains of co-design readiness, offering valuable insights and actionable recommendations to enhance your co-design practices.
Here’s what our Co-Design Readiness Tool offers:
Rapid assessment: understand your organisation's strengths and areas for improvement across all eight domains of co-design readiness.
Actionable insights: receive practical recommendations to enhance your co-design practices and foster a more supportive co-design environment.
Tailored recommendations: get customised advice based on your organisation's unique profile and readiness level.
Embarking on a co-design journey is a commendable step towards creating more inclusive, user-centric services and solutions. Don’t leave your success to chance — ensure your organisation is well-prepared and ready to make the most out of your co-design initiatives.
Assess Your Organisation's Co-Design Readiness Now
Take the first step towards enhancing your co-design practices and ensuring better outcomes for your projects and the communities you serve. Our Co-Design Readiness Tool is here to guide you through the process, providing the insights and support you need to thrive in your co-design journey.
