Problem definition in a participatory design process.

Abstract

Although there exist substantial literatures on individual design processes and upon problem definition, there is little attention to how participatory design groups define the problems on which they work. This lack occurs because of the difficulty in learning about what goes on inside design groups. However, participatory and collaborative design is a widespread and growing mode of design practice that demands a better understanding. This dissertation consists of an in depth study of one participatory design process that occurred in a federal laboratory setting. It was a multi-disciplinary activity that initially involved representatives from five research and development departments. These representatives collaborated over seven months to create a project proposal that would incorporate technology and design contributions from each of their specialities. The final proposal comprised a design problem definition including specific design components, schedule, budget, and system integration requirements. The central thesis states that collaborative or participatory design is especially appropriate for defining a design problem, as opposed to systematic design methods that are more appropriate for seeking a solution to that design problem. Several propositions devolve from this thesis, notably the idea of alternative paths toward a common goal. The research approach was research-in-action. The author served as a facilitator of the participatory design process, recording their activities and the outcomes of their efforts. The facilitators developed and employed a number of participatory design methods to address specific issues and to encourage the participants to build a consensus upon a proposal. Most of these methods failed to produce the intended results but at least one succeeded for each issue, and eventually the participants took the initiative to forge the essential consensus. This consensus proved critical to the proposal's success. The analysis of the results relies upon direct observation and upon an extensive literature review of precedents in design participation. The attendance data reveal that most of the facilitator and participant interaction occurred outside the formal meetings. A meta-analysis of the observations shows they are largely consistent with precedent, plus a few important new insights. The findings indicate that the design problem definition moved through a sequence of states known in the literature: from "condition of irresolution," to, "wicked problem," to "ill-defined" problem, to a final "well-structured" problem state. The participatory design group's consensus upon the project content and internal relationships proved a crucial step in forging the final design problem definition. The conclusion presents a new model of design participation, in which the design group's consensus upon a problem definition acts as a gateway between problem-defining and solution-seeking.