A guide to help public organizations responsibly procure creativity and innovation.
Within government, there is a growing need for a design-led approach to tackle complex societal challenges. At the same time, policymakers, procurement officers, and designers struggle with how to procure such an approach in a way that aligns with the rules. Existing procurement procedures often do not match the iterative and open nature of design processes. As a result, the power of design can be lost before it even gets a proper start.
Suitable procedures do exist within the current procurement framework – but knowledge about them is fragmented and often unknown. Moreover, many public organizations need practical tools to start working with design without getting lost in rules and budget thresholds. We found that it is essential for procurement officers, designers, and policymakers to explore together which procedure best fits the challenge and the desired process.
Together with PONT and in close collaboration with procurement officers, policymakers, and designers, we developed the Procurement Guide for Public Service Design. A practical and accessible guide that shows how public organizations can procure a design-led approach. The guide offers a decision tree for choosing procedures, clearly explains the differences between methods, and gives tips on how to formulate a strong design brief. It also includes concrete steps to get started right away.
The guide makes it possible to fully unlock the potential of design within the public domain. Procurement professionals gain a clearer understanding of how to commission design work without losing sight of legal frameworks. Policymakers discover how to shape collaborations with designers in ways that align with their own goals. And designers gain insight into the system they need to navigate when working with government. In doing so, the guide contributes to a public sector that is not only efficient, but also innovative and human-centred. Read more about the guide: https://www.depubliekeontwerppraktijk.nl/kennis-tools/tool-ontwerpende-aanpak-inkoopgids/
