Return on Design Investment (RODI)

Abstract

Originality: an intellectual advance or an important and innovative contribution to understanding and knowledge. This may include substantive empirical findings, new arguments, interpretations or insights, imaginative scope, assembling of information in an innovative way, development of new theoretical frameworks and conceptual models, innovative methodologies and/or new forms of expression (250-300 words). The RODI Tool is both an online and physical toolbox that helps designers show their clients the benefits of putting time and money into good design. It advances and makes available (in a practical format) the findings and recommendations of the Sir George Cox’s review of creativity in business; commissioned by the Government in 2007. Although there are many project management tools that track business progress and commercial successes the RODI tool is specifically aimed at designers and the value of services they provide especially with Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Similarly there are a number of design awards sponsored by the Design and Business Association that recognize design effectiveness, but there is not currently a tool to help designers during the designing process. The RODI tool is simple. It helps designers establish with their clients what they wish from their investment and might include for example higher margins, loyal customers, improved relationship with suppliers etc. The tool is first set up to identify which elements within the following four parameters you may wish to track assess and measure as the project unfolds: • Ambition - can be as much about establishing themselves as making more money. • Customer experience - good design should change the way people see an organisation and interact with it. • Products and services - good design involves much more than surface appearance or inner workings • Behind the scenes - an organisation’s success isn’t just reliant on what customers see from the outside. Both the design team (depending on security rights) and the client feed the tool with as much information as required and the tool will automatically calculate and display on a dashboard the impact the design work is having by reaching – or even exceeding client’s goals. http://roditool.co.uk/account/login