Image
D-Tool: to assess the use of design in companies and organizations
Published on 28 May 2021
Spain
Comunitat Valenciana
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The objective of this tool is to help to determine the level of use of design in companies and organizations, and how they could improve their productivity, positioning or achieve the excellence by using it.
The self-testing is divided into four steps and its completion takes approximately 15 minutes. It is based on the analysis made by three tools:
- the Design Ladder, created by the Danish Design Centre,
- the Design Compass, tool developed by the ADCV, and
- the Design Utility Patterns, tool developed by the ADCV as well.
The first gathers general data about the company, to contextualise. The second step aims to position the company in the Design Ladder. The third step refers to its positioning in the Design Compass. The fourth step gathers specific company data, so that, in the future, results can be compared with those of similar companies or organizations, always discreetly or anonymously.
The outputs allow to identify a matrix of possible typologies of design use, solving a complex analysis in a simple way.
With this tool, a company can undertake a self-assessment in a simple way, in a short period of time and for free.
When the self-testing process is completed, the company or organization is offered a report with general conclusions based on the results obtained.
The self-testing is divided into four steps and its completion takes approximately 15 minutes. It is based on the analysis made by three tools:
- the Design Ladder, created by the Danish Design Centre,
- the Design Compass, tool developed by the ADCV, and
- the Design Utility Patterns, tool developed by the ADCV as well.
The first gathers general data about the company, to contextualise. The second step aims to position the company in the Design Ladder. The third step refers to its positioning in the Design Compass. The fourth step gathers specific company data, so that, in the future, results can be compared with those of similar companies or organizations, always discreetly or anonymously.
The outputs allow to identify a matrix of possible typologies of design use, solving a complex analysis in a simple way.
With this tool, a company can undertake a self-assessment in a simple way, in a short period of time and for free.
When the self-testing process is completed, the company or organization is offered a report with general conclusions based on the results obtained.
Expert opinion
The D-Tool is an interesting self-assessment tool for companies that encourages them to think about integrating design in their processes and products. Applying design thinking to developing new products or services as well as to the entire management logic of a business has a proven track record in increasing the competitive advantage of businesses. Therefore, practices that encourage companies to think and improve their design practices are certainly interesting for public authorities to consider.
However, in case of such self-assessment tools, it is important to provide a followup service to the SMEs. The comparative ranking of a company or an overview report is not enough. Based on the results of the self-assessment the company should be put in touch with relevant consultants who can provide further advice and direct the company to relevant support services or funds to improve the current situation. The self-assessment tool should be part of a broader business support service pipeline.
Similar self-assessment tools have bene developed in other European regions to assess the innovativeness or digital maturity of SMEs. One such advanced assessment tool, with a tailored followup service, is implemented in Latvia:
https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/4119/smart-latvia-digital-maturity-test/
However, in case of such self-assessment tools, it is important to provide a followup service to the SMEs. The comparative ranking of a company or an overview report is not enough. Based on the results of the self-assessment the company should be put in touch with relevant consultants who can provide further advice and direct the company to relevant support services or funds to improve the current situation. The self-assessment tool should be part of a broader business support service pipeline.
Similar self-assessment tools have bene developed in other European regions to assess the innovativeness or digital maturity of SMEs. One such advanced assessment tool, with a tailored followup service, is implemented in Latvia:
https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/4119/smart-latvia-digital-maturity-test/
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Economic study of regional design - development, implementation and promotion of the application - conclusions - establishment of strategic lines.
Evidence of success
So far the tool has been used by 200 companies based in the Valencian region that succesfully completed the selfassesment. After analysing the results, there are 3 key findings:
1. Companies see that they can address serious challenges through design. Design is seen as an essential tool to innovate.
2. Companies that are mostly design-orientated can show weakness in the management area.
3.Companies that score the highest in the design ladder are the ones with better prospects for the future.
1. Companies see that they can address serious challenges through design. Design is seen as an essential tool to innovate.
2. Companies that are mostly design-orientated can show weakness in the management area.
3.Companies that score the highest in the design ladder are the ones with better prospects for the future.
Potential for learning or transfer
The initial study for the development of this tool concludes that there has been a deep change in the perception of design as a tool which affects the productivity and competitiveness of a company.
Therefore, the use of this self-testing tool can be implemented and promoted among crafts companies, so they can improve their innovation processes in any of its three aspects, product innovation, process innovation or business model.
Therefore, the use of this self-testing tool can be implemented and promoted among crafts companies, so they can improve their innovation processes in any of its three aspects, product innovation, process innovation or business model.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Asociación de diseñadores de la Comunidad Valenciana & Agencia Valenciana de la Innovación
Spain
Comunitat Valenciana
Contact
Responsible