About Authentic Co-Design

Co-design is all about solving complex issues with communities to deliver projects and build trust.

What is Co-design?

In a government or corporate context, co-design can be most simply defined as the act of creating a fit-for-purpose solution or product with ‘communities of interest’.

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Why consider Co-design?

For projects that are complex and potentially controversial co-design offers a better way of working with communities to implement your project.

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The main benefits of Co-design are:

• Relationships of trust are built throughout the process

• Local knowledge is valued and helps to inform the solution

• Technical subject-matter experts remain connected throughout and apply their expertise as options are explored

• Early opponents often become advocates of the process, and the outcomes

• Substantial project savings as project is more likely to be delivered on time and within budget (by avoiding ongoing protests, legal costs, and political interventions)

• A more enjoyable, satisfying process for all concerned (even despite some inevitable challenges as people learn to work together)