PD in the Wild; Evolving Practices of Design in Use

Abstract

The when and where of participatory design has traditionally been set, primarily, by the software design project. However, modem IT networks with a variety of applications from different software providers, new web-design tools, and the integration of customization processes with ongoing version management, are just a few of the developments that are moving participation around IT design issues beyond the traditional software project. Using exarrples from a research project focusing on existing work practices and IT in use in public service administration, we explore various understandings of design, which challenge some of the assumptions underlying the basic framework of participatory design. if design is seen as continually on-going, and intricately interwoven with use, this raises several important issues for participatory design. It highlights design for change. It points towards the need for reconsidering software design processes. It brings into focus issues of coordination between use, design in use and adaptation and development. Crucially, it raises issues about shop floor IT management, that is, organizational and technical support for local adapting, and continual design and development in use, of IT, and the need for models and methods for sustainable, distributed co-constructive design processes.