Participatory Design: Issues and Concerns

Abstract

We characterize Participatory Design (PD) as a maturing area of research and as anevolving practice among design professionals. Although PD has been applied outside of technologydesign, here we focus on PD in relation to the introduction of computer-based systems at work.We discuss three main issues addressed by PD researchers, the politics of design, the nature ofparticipation, and method, tools and techniques for participation. We also report on the conditionsfor the transfer of “PD results” to workers, user groups, and design professionals that have characterizedPD over time and across geopolitical terrains. The topic of the sustainability of PD within anorganizational context is also considered. The article concludes with a discussion of common issuesexplored within PD and CSCWand frames directions for a continuing dialogue between researchersand practitioners from the two fields. The article draws on a review of PD and CSCW literatures aswell as on our own research and practical experiences