dug (company logo) Good looks like this.

Service design workshops in the policy lab. Most of the civil servants engaged in the process had never used methods like this. The workshops promoted collaboration between policy and delivery teams.

Defra Livestock Information Programme

The Livestock Information programme (LIP) had been running for a little over two years when I joined the team to lead the design of the service. Lots of work had been done, but nothing had been delivered yet, and passing Beta assessment did not seem like a possibility.

  • Unified approach Guided programme manager, established and communicated a coherent program-wide ‘tube map’ to provide clear direction across diverse work-streams.
  • Strategic guidance Led the team through a strategic consensus and a four-phase ‘double-diamond’ design process, ensuring structured and productive progression.
  • From insights to initiatives Enabled the design team to evolve user research insights into tangible initiatives and prototypes through guided application of a robust framework.

The challenge

Navigating through a scenario where talented professionals were siloed in their expertise and lacked a coherent, uniting framework and strategy, especially amidst the divergent work-streams of IT, data, policy, and design. The notable absence of an organized process to morph insights into actionable initiatives further complicated the journey from research to delivery.

The role I played

As the Service Design Lead, I became the connective tissue that unified diverse professional minds, acting as a strategic advisor, influencer, mentor, and hands-on guide across all facets of the design and development process.

How I did it

I employed a multifaceted approach, intertwining strategic leadership with hands-on mentoring and knowledge transfer.

Tube map of the collaboration between teams

By implementing a clear, communicated strategy through a ‘tube map’ and guiding through a methodical ‘double-diamond’ design process, I ensured the journey from divergent ideas to converged, actionable prototypes and MVP was coherent and strategic.

Activities

  • Guiding programme management
  • Service design process
  • Coaching
  • Mentoring
  • Stakeholder management
  • User research
  • Contextual analysis
  • Shadowing farmers
  • GDS Prototype kit

Can I help you solve a similar problem? dug@goodlookslikethis.com

Tags: gov.uk, enterprise software, user research, service management, OJEU procurement