.png)
The Action Plan for Designing Better Public Services outlines a transformative strategy for integrating design thinking into Ireland's public sector. This initiative showcases how a design-led, people-centric approach can foster greater efficiency, inclusivity, and resilience in complex systems.
This is a mindset we’ve been embracing since day one, especially given our ample expertise in design and innovation. We are excited to see the public sector recognising the value of design methodologies to drive meaningful and sustainable innovation, especially in line with Just Transition principles. Design-led approaches focus on equity and inclusivity while providing streamlined, long-term solutions that support sustainability goals and adapt to changing user needs.
At Colectivo, we live and breathe this methodology. By deeply understanding each unique context, we craft tailored project solutions that deliver measurable, sustainable outcomes while addressing the complexities of diverse systems. Here are some key takeaways from the report:
Core Principles of Public Service Design. The action plan outlines principles such as inclusivity, trust, simplicity, and evidence-based decision-making as the foundation for accessible, efficient, and trustworthy public services.
Design Integration. The action plan organises its objectives under three main themes: Demonstrate Design Commitment, Increase Design Capability, and Foster Design Culture. These pillars establish a roadmap to bring design principles into all levels of the public sector, fostering sustainability and innovation.
Strategic Investment. The action plan highlights the importance of securing funding, expertise, and streamlined processes to support design integration.
Developing Public Service Design Skills. Upskilling public service employees is essential, with structured training and resources identified as key to embedding design thinking in everyday work.
Fostering a Culture of Design. The action plan stresses celebrating success stories, promoting collaboration, and embedding design into the organisational culture.
Practical Steps for Starting the Design Journey. The action plan provides a roadmap for organisations beginning their design journey, focusing on smaller, principle-aligned projects to test and scale.
Utilising a Structured Design Process. The Double Diamond model - Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver - guides organisations through structured design processes. This model ensures public service bodies can tackle challenges in a user-centric and iterative way.
Design Tools and Resources. To support the design process, the action plan recommends tools like empathy mapping, journey mapping, and prototyping to better understand user needs and refine solutions effectively.
Long-Term Vision for Sustainable, People-Centric Public Services. The action plan concludes with a vision of resilient, socially responsible, and sustainable public services. Through design thinking, Ireland aims to enhance quality of life, build trust, and position itself as a leader in sustainable, design-led governance.
Examples and Case Studies from the Action Plan:
Human-Centered Design Approach to Temporary Housing
Redbridge Council applied design thinking to address temporary housing challenges by prioritising tenant needs and fostering trust through structured conversations. This human-centred approach reduced families in high-cost B&Bs from 183 to zero in eight months and shifted the council’s mindset towards a more customer-centric approach, improving housing services overall.
Cork County Council’s Service Design Story
Cork County Council’s in-house design team adopted design principles to digitalise 174 services during the Covid-19 pandemic. This user-centred approach transformed service delivery, enhancing adaptability, innovation, and public trust in the council’s responsiveness.
Design as Core to Projects at Colectivo
At Colectivo, design and people-centricity are central to our mission. By helping organisations transition to more impact-driven business models, we demonstrate how a design-led approach can tackle sustainability challenges. Through boosting awareness, activating change, and applying best-in-class design principles, we ensure these transitions are both effective and equitable.
Colectivo understands that commitment starts with stakeholder buy-in. By embedding design expertise early on, we establish frameworks that are adaptable yet robust, enabling long-term innovation and success. Once we have engaged stakeholders, we empower teams through workshops and collaborative training sessions, equipping them with the confidence and tools to foster independent, sustainable innovation within their organisations.
At Colectivo, we believe fostering a design culture starts with small wins. By piloting smaller projects, we build momentum and demonstrate the value of design thinking, paving the way for larger-scale innovations.
******
For a comprehensive look at the action plan’s findings and recommendations, refer to the full Action Plan for Designing Better Public Services report.
To discover how Colectivo can help your organisation transition to a more impact-driven business model, contact us at hello@colectivo.ie
About the Author:
Chloe McDonnell, a Business Studies graduate, works as a paralegal in public and regulatory law. She is interested in the intersection of sustainability, business, and legal frameworks, exploring how organisations can integrate sustainable practices while navigating legal and regulatory challenges. Check out her LinkedIn here: Chloe Mc Donnell