Taking a full-systems approach

In the context of sustainability, when redesigning anything, every component of a system needs to be considered.

The Disruptive Design Method, developed by Dr. Leyla Acaroglu, is especially relevant as it prompts businesses to view problems as part of a larger system, rather than in isolation.

This three-phase method encourages the development of solutions that aim to remove the problem, rather than just shifting it elsewhere. 

Phase One: Mining

How often do we rush into solving a problem without fully understanding it?

The Mining phase is characterised by deep exploration and understanding of the problem. The focus is on gathering as much information without rushing to find a solution.

Leyla suggests using different types of research to collect all the necessary pieces of a puzzle you need before you start to put it together.

This mindset can be applied to business challenges by adapting research practices to gather more information about the problem at hand.

Phase Two: Landscaping

In the Landscaping phase, businesses lay out their puzzle pieces and start connecting them through systems mapping.

By mapping out the problem and recognising the connections between elements, businesses can gain a comprehensive perspective and identify areas of intervention within their systems.

“An area of intervention is somewhere that the smallest amount of pressure can create the biggest change,” Leyla explains.

This stage is crucial for sustainability as it helps businesses identify the most efficient way to drive change.

Phase Three: Building

The Building phase should begin when businesses have a clear understanding of the problem and potential intervention points.

Here, solutions are designed to fit the landscape using traditional ideation processes such as brainstorming, prototyping, testing and iterating.

This stage is critical for sustainability as it encourages the development of innovative solutions that can drive transformative change.

Remember, as Dr. Leyla points out, "The whole three stages of mining, landscaping and building is iterative. You go through it as many times as needed to get to an outcome that's the best fit for the problem within the resource set that you have."

Resources for business

The UnSchool of Disruptive Design offers a wide range of content and courses on the Disruptive Design Method, offering insights into the tools and techniques required to implement this unique creative method.

Discover The UnSchool of Disruptive Design

Dr. Leyla Acaroglu developed a Quick Guide to the Disruptive Design Method. It provides a great starting point for businesses wanting to learn more about how Disruptive Design can be used to drive social and environmental change.

Check out the Quick Guide to the Disruptive Design Method

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