Skip to content
An official website of the OECD. Find out more
Created by the Public Governance Directorate

This website was created by the OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI), part of the OECD Public Governance Directorate (GOV).

How to validate authenticity

Validation that this is an official OECD website can be found on the Innovative Government page of the corporate OECD website.

Toolkit

Service Design Playbook

Hero HERO:
Editable source files available
This playbook is an online crash course on service design. It works alongside the 14 points set out in the Digital Service Standard to provide the basics needed to get started on a digital service. It covers: About service design, Discovery phase, Alpha phase, Beta phase, Live phase, and Team roles
Toolkit

This is Service Design Doing – Method Library

This resource is a method library containing 54 method descriptions for using the key methods in service design. These methods include instructions, guidelines, and-tips-and tricks for activities within research, ideation, prototyping, and facilitation. This collection only contains building blocks. It doesn’t detail how to assemble them into a cohesive design process or how to plan or manage it. The associated (paid) book and curriculum offers this context.
Toolkit

SI Learning Repository

The SIC learning repository is an online, open resource available for innovators, researchers and policy makers to improve their skills in design for Social Innovation. The tools section is organised by main activities/actions, including: RECRUITING SOCIAL INNOVATORS STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IDEATION PRODUCT/SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROTOTYPING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND IMPACT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES For each tool, time commitment and team requirements are listed and each can be downloaded as a PDF.
Toolkit

ideas42 A/B Testing

An A/B test measures and compares the effectiveness of different versions of a program feature, service, or communication. This interactive tool helps users prepare for A/B tests, create random assignments of users to A or B, and helps users analyse which was more successful. The publishers suggest that this approach can be used by governments to optimize outreach materials, communications and engagement, program features, and processes (e.g., applications, payments).
Toolkit

Platform Design Toolkit

Champion CHAMPION:
Can be remixed
Platform Design Toolkit is based on the tradition of service design thinking and the publishers intend it to overcome the limitations in traditional, linear, business modeling approaches. This methodology is based on a multi-sided, ecosystem based, platform model instead of a traditional product or service design. Those interested in building their "government as a platform" strategy or building a suite of digital or non-digital products or services would likely find value in this approach but…
Toolkit

Customer Communications Toolkit for the Public Service – A Universal Design Approach

This toolkit provides guidance for public servants on how to communicate with the public using the simplest and clearest language possible and to ensure that all services are accessible, and meets the diverse needs of all our customers. The guidance is based on Universal Design principles. The toolkit contains advice on general writing style principles, verbal and non-verbal communications, design of forms and documents, web and social media content and how to display signage. It features a…
Toolkit

Designing for Behaviour Change Toolkit

Basic BASIC:
Allows reuse
This toolkit outlines Bridgeable’s approach to harnessing behavioural economics (BE) to design better products and services that nudge user behaviour. It combines a service design approach with a BE approach, with the caveat that BE helps identify and tweak pivotal moments of decision making but not overall user experience or strategies. The toolkit includes an overview of BE as well as an ideation and testing framework incorporating BE principles to move from a current state to an idea future…
Toolkit

18F Method Cards

Hero HERO:
Editable source files available
A collection of tools that describe how 18F digital service teams put human-centered design into practice. These cards are focused on design in the context of digital services, but can be adapted to non-technical design projects as well. The resource is online and also available as printable cards. The card set includes simplified information on various design methods according to an overall methodology: Discover, Decide, Make,Validate. There are also "Fundamentals" cards related to incentives,…
Toolkit

The Service Design Playbook

This resource describes a comprehensive method for the BC Public Service (BCPS) to design services for British Columbians, although it is also applicable to other governments. The Playbook is intended to help ensure public service designers have the necessary tools and corporate support to make change. It includes an overview of service design, a discussion of when and how to use it, as well as detailed guidance and tools for the various methods used in service design. The methods are organised…
Toolkit

Project Cycle Hackers Kit

The Hackers’ Kit supports different types of discussions around project and program design. It's aim is to normalise innovation in a large organization by embedding new practices in key project management business processes. Worked on and tested with over 25 project teams in the United Nations Development Programme, the toolkit is intended for an international development context but could be applied to any large organisation with a desire to innovate. It includes a wall map of the process,…