The Capability of Design in Government

This research increases understanding of the scope and potential of design as resource in the context of government. Currently, there is limited knowledge and use of tangible and intangible dimensions of design in government and its potential remains unrealized. This despite designs established history of use, evidence to support its economic, social, environmental, and political value and encouragement from national and international bodies. What design is and its capacity to contribute in government is explored in this research. Accomplished through seven phases of investigations, the design-in- government context is first established and then explored followed by an examination of what design is and does within this context. A mixed methods approach was employed involving a critical assessment of both theoretical and empirical insights, including a scoping review, a focused review of literature, interviews with practitioners and primary and secondary observations of the design-in-government phenomena in practice. Interactions with stakeholders, academia and industry at international engagements informed the research process and evaluated study results incrementally over a 6-year period from 2013-2019. Results reveal a dimensional and holistic perspective of design as capability in operation within a dynamic design-in-government system. Here the potential exists for all facets of design to impact all areas of government simultaneously. The establishment of the design-in-government conceptual framework and definition of design for this context are also significant outcomes from this study. Together they constitute constructs that contribute to the furtherance of the novel field of research and practice with implications for design education and the evolving design profession. Finally, the distinctive scoping review process from this research contributes to the theoretical advancement of the methodology.