Leading Public Design - by Christian Bason (Paperback)

About the Book

Drawing on more than a decade of work on public sector innovation, the author provides a clear framework for understanding and learning an emerging management practice, leading public design.

Book Synopsis

This powerful new book provides a clear framework for understanding and learning an emerging management practice, leading public design.

Drawing on more than a decade of work on public sector innovation, Christian Bason uses his extensive practical experience and research conducted among public managers in the UK, the US, Australia, Finland and Denmark to explore how public organisations can be redesigned from the outside in, shaping policies and services that are truly experienced as useful and meaningful to citizens, and which leverage all of society's resources to co-produce better outcomes.

Through detailed case studies, the book presents six management practices which leaders in government can use to involve citizens, staff and other stakeholders in innovation processes. It shows how managers can challenge their own assumptions, leverage empathy with citizens, handle divergence, navigate unknown territory, experiment and rehearse future solutions through prototyping, and create more public value.

Ultimately, Leading public design provides a pathway to a new and different way of governing public institutions: human-centred governance. As a more relational, networked, interactive and reflective approach to running organisations, this emerging governance model promises a more human yet effective public sector.

Review Quotes

"This new book by Christian Bason is a compelling read for both senior leaders and those on the frontline of the public sector. Bason makes it clear that leading public design is an ongoing journey driven by curiosity and a sense of purpose. I can warmly recommend his book to anyone involved in the challenging but ever inspiring task of making innovation a daily practice in government". Huda Al Hashimi, Assistant Director General Strategy + Innovation, UAE Prime Minister's Office

About the Author

Christian Bason is CEO of the Danish Design Centre, former head of the Danish government's innovation team MindLab, and a doctoral fellow at Copenhagen Business School.