Transforming a precarious equilibrium

Embracing complexity in public design practices

This paper examines how design space for engaging with complexity was constrained, negotiated and expanded within a Dutch public sector organisation providing occupational disability services. While systemic design calls for transformation and embracing complexity, practical understanding of enacting this within a political-administrative context remains limited. Through critical analysis of a participatory action research project, we trace six key moments where possibilities for transformation were opened up or constrained: from processing the initial individual-centric framing, through recognising relational complexity, to translating insights into interventions. Our analysis reveals tensions between systemic aspirations and organisational realities: while the project successfully reframed reintegration from an individual-centric to relational understanding, translating this perspective into design interventions proved challenging. The paper offers actionable insights for systemic design practice in public sector contexts, demonstrating both the promise and limitations of design for transformation and systemic change within established organisational environments.