Design Research and Practice for the Public Good: A Reflection

Abstract

Public sector managers and policymakers have begun to work with design researchers and design practitioners in an effort to create citi- zen-centric polices and user-centered public services. What role can design play in the approach taken by the public sector in organizational develop- ment and innovation? This paper reflects on an innovation project at a Bra- zilian Ministry where human-centered design was chosen as an approach to integrate innovation efforts among different government agencies and ministries. It offers an example of how human-centered design approaches can support efforts by civil servants to change their own design practices.