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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

Polak Game

Over a dozen years of use to date, the game represents an accessible approach to introducing "images of the future" as a basic property of both cultures and individuals, and can be used as an introduction for more advanced futures and foresight tools and frameworks. It provides a structure for facilitating conversation among groups of participants and intended for groups. Duration is flexible, but typically runs 30-60 minutes. The resource provides step-by-step guidance for how to run the game…
Toolkit

The Brains, Behavior & Design Toolkit

The toolkit is designed to be both informative and actionable - helping integrate the latest research in human behavior and decision making into practice. The toolkit features five tools to help designers apply findings from the field of behavioral economics to their practice in order to provide a head start on framing research as well as developing new strategies for solving user problems. The toolkit includes: Reference Cards: behavioral economics research findings organized and…
Toolkit

DIY Learn

Champion CHAMPION:
Can be remixed
DIY Learn is a set of online modules to help development practitioners understand and embed practical tools to support social innovation in their work. It contains a series of free, 2-hour courses as well as a trainers handbook. It was created for international development practitioners but is applicable for public sector staff as well.
Toolkit

Stanford d.school Tools for Taking Action

Hero HERO:
Editable source files available
This is a curated collection of 30+ resources from Stanford d.school classes and workshops, including activities, tools, and how-to guides. They are intended for anyone who wants to become more familiar with design thinking or unlocking creative thinking in whatever challenge being tackled. Some are full-fledged workshops that for guiding others through. Other resources are short worksheet-based activities.
Toolkit

Culture Map

A tool that organizations can use to assess, map and transform their cultures. It is intended at a group activity to guide conversations around outcomes, behaviours, and enablers/blockers. The website also contains guidance for its use. It is intended for a private sector context but non-financial "outcomes" can also be considered when using it in the public sector.
Toolkit

Gamestorming Toolkit

This website and blog containing a toolkit based on the book GameStorming (not free) and intends to bring a playful or game-like atmosphere to group problem solving activities for the purpose of creating an mindset conducive to innovation and change-making. The site contains games for different purposes, including vision and strategy, planning, problem-solving, and decision-making. The online resources describe each method and technique in terms of: Object of Play, Number of Players, Duration of…
Toolkit

Service Design Tools

Basic BASIC:
Allows reuse
An collection of communication tools used in service design processes that deal with complex systems, organised by design activities, representations, recipients, and contents. The website is the result of the research activity done by Roberta Tassi during her graduation thesis investigating the relation between communication design and service design, starting from the observation of the existing practices in the field of service design. Each tool contains a description, how-to instructions,…
Toolkit

Austin Center for Design Library

Champion CHAMPION:
Can be remixed
This resource contains tools around specific design methods and techniques, including facilitation, ideation, and synthesis. Some contain step-by-step guidance and guidance on the method while others are standalone canvases/worksheets.
Toolkit

JAMK Service Design Toolkit

A guided introduction to 14 common service design tools, such as empathy maps, personas, and customer journeys. They are organised by the publisher's methodology: Define, Learn, Solve, Test. Toolkit. The publisher offers a suggested path through the tools but the publisher suggests that each can be used on their own. The toolkit is available via website in exchange for your email address.
Toolkit

Project Open Data

Hero HERO:
Editable source files available
A collection of code, tools, and case studies to help United States federal agencies adopt the Open Data Policy and unlock the potential of government data. This project is meant to be a living document, so that collaboration in the open data ecosystem is fostered, and the continual update of technology pieces that affect update can happen at a more rapid pace. Edits to the content may be made by anyone. It could provide other governments with examples and starter content for its own open data…