Print Email Facebook Twitter DesignX Title DesignX: Complex Sociotechnical Systems Author Norman, D.A. (University of California) Stappers, P.J. (TU Delft Design Conceptualization and Communication) Date 2016-03-03 Abstract This paper is a follow up to DesignX, a position paper written in 2014, which introduced the design challenges of complex sociotechnical systems such as healthcare, transportation, governmental policy, and environmental protection. We conclude that the major challenges presented by DesignX problems stem not from trying to understand or address the issues, but rather arise during implementation, when political, economic, cultural, organizational, and structural problems overwhelm all else. We suggest that designers cannot stop at the design stage: they must play an active role in implementation, and develop solutions through small, incremental steps—minimizing budgets and the resources required for each step— to reduce political, social, and cultural disruptions. This approach requires tolerance for existing constraints and trade-offs, and a modularity that allows for measures that do not compromise the whole. These designs satisfice rather than optimize and are related to the technique of making progress by “muddling through,” a form of incrementalism championed by Lindblom. Subject Sociotechnical systemsDesignXImplementationIncrementalism“Muddling through”Human-centered design To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:0fe9c1f1-ecd9-4784-a4de-3ab5b1d59255 DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sheji.2016.01.002 ISSN 2405-8726 Source She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, 1 (2), 83-106 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2016 D.A. Norman, P.J. Stappers Files PDF DesignX.pdf 612.14 KB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:0fe9c1f1-ecd9-4784-a4de-3ab5b1d59255/datastream/OBJ/view