Design the Change
The Design stage is where future interventions get their shape and form. Changemakers in this phase pinpoint the exact outcomes they want to see regarding the social problem, then craft potential solutions based on the data they gathered from secondary research and interviews with affected individuals.
Human-centered design starts with addressing one person's needs. Changemakers should develop a collaborative, partner-based relationship with the person they aim to serve. For solutions, feel free to consider both tried-and-true and far-fetched ideas during the design process! But remember: ultimately, changemakers will need to narrow these ideas to the one they believe is most likely to succeed. That chosen intervention will become the prototype and get tested during the next phase.
How well is your organization practicing human-centered design? Explore the toolbox below for more information on important skills for this phase.
Your Toolbox
Customer-Partner Mindset
Those affected by the issue are active co-creators, not passive beneficiaries.
The model replaces the benefactor-beneficiary framework, which many social impact organizations adopt while addressing social problems. When social impact organizations call people and groups beneficiaries, they are often creating a one-way, dependent relationship that reduces the overall effectiveness of aid. Instead, The Customer-Partner Model shifts organizations toward seeing stakeholders as partners with insights of their own.To what extent do your organization's current actions treat those affected by the issue as co-creators?
Theory of Change
Develop the blueprint for building toward desired outcomes.
The theory of change outlines how an organization believes it can achieve desired outcomes, like eliminating the problem or empowering community building. It is critical that a theory of change comes before the intervention so that future actions are guided by a strategy and backed by data.To create a Theory of Change, start by asking: When the intervention is over, what measurable change should be apparent? Then, move backward from these goals to the actions that will get you from the status quo to that ideal endpoint. A key tool for this backward mapping is called a Logic Model. This is a visual representation that shows connections between short, medium, and long-term goals and the chosen activities. If there is a gap in your reasoning, the logic model will help you see it.
Are you able to define your organization's theory of change for your chosen social problem?
Ecosystem Maps
Visualize how all the key stakeholders are related.
The ecosystem map places all the key stakeholders of your social problem into a visual network with each other. Ecosystem maps allow you to understand the complex systems that already exist among Social Problem Solving Organizations, individuals, governments, and other institutions. Additionally, by creating an Ecosystem Map, you are more able to identify existing best practices that have a large positive impact.What are three practices that have been shown to work for your social problem? What are three that have been shown to be dead-ends?
Read Stories of Change Design in Action
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Weaving Artisans into the Global Market
Melissa Sevy, CEO of Ethik Collective and former student with the BYU Ballard Center for Social Impact, underwent a transformative journey leveraging her education and experiences to effect positive change in the world.
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BYU Students Join Initiative Helping Other Students Pay For School Worldwide
The Deseret News covered BYU students helping an innovative micro-loan company make college affordable for impoverished students around the world.
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Bridging The Gap Between Data And Policy
Professor Darren Hawkins is leveraging his connection with the Ballard Center to bridge the gap between high-quality evidence and effective public policy.
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