Keynote from How Public Design? 2013

1. @joerivds
Better lives. Stronger society.
MaRS Solutions Lab
How Public Design 2013, Mindlab Denmark
September 3rd, 2013

2. @joerivds2
Time
Complexity
Public Systems
Social Challenges

3. @joerivds
Challenges for governments
Economic and social challenges
increasingly complex
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Public resources are diminishing
People are better educated and
informed than ever before
Technology increases capacity of
people to organize themselves
Society operates in networks Public sector operates in silos
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4. @joerivds4
To tackle complex social challenges and create system change,
together with government, ngo’s, foundations, business, academia
and the greater community
MaRS Solutions
Lab
Chronic disease
Redesign Public services
Youth unemployment
Food

5. @joerivds
MaRS Solutions
Lab
5
Wicked problems: there is no agreement on the nature of the problem, and certainly no clear
view on what interventions might work to resolve it. (Grint, 2005)
Adaptive leadership: Given their complex, contested nature, adaptive challenges require
public managers to engage in the exercise of leadership. (Heifetz, 1995)

6. @joerivds6
• part of MaRS (independent non-profit)
• small core team complemented with secondments, interns & contractors
• three streams of funding:
1. basic funding through a family endowment
2. challenge-based funding (partnerships with government, foundations)
3. activity-based funding (grants/fees for service/sponsorships)
MaRS Solutions
Lab

7. @joerivds
The value of labs
A lab is a dedicated unit that works on complex challenges which require system change
A lab has no answers but a process, a set of methods and tools to find answers to these challenges
A lab provides a common space and support for collaborative experimentation and learning
Al lab introduces new approaches and new (citizen-centered) perspectives
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8. @joerivds
Design principles
• Start with the citizen, then look at the system
• Create with users and stakeholders , not for them
• Always look for the smallest intervention with the largest possible impact
• No action without reflection, no reflection without action
• Combine to diagnose problems, to galvanize change and to deliver concrete improvements
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9. @joerivds9
Innovators
Key stake-
holders
Capacity
Solutions DesignDefine
Early
Majority
Early
Adopters
Prototype Scale
Develop
Build
evidence
FormulateFrame
Public
Policy
Systemchange

10. @joerivds10
Innovators
Key stake-
holders
Capacity
Solutions DesignDefine
Early
Majority
Early
Adopters
Prototype Scale
Develop
Build
evidence
FormulateFrame
Public
Policy
Systemchange

11. @joerivds11
Innovators
Key stake-
holders
Capacity
Solutions DesignDefine
Early
Majority
Early
Adopters
Prototype Scale
Develop
Build
evidence
FormulateFrame
Public
Policy
Systemchange

12. @joerivds12
Innovators
Key stake-
holders
Capacity
Solutions DesignDefine
Early
Majority
Early
Adopters
Prototype Scale
Develop
Build
evidence
FormulateFrame
Public
Policy
Systemchange
Hypothesis SynthesisInterventionAnalysis

13. @joerivds
Better lives. Stronger society.
MaRS Solutions Lab
How Public Design 2013, Mindlab Denmark
September 3rd, 2013