The emergence of increasingly complex problems, combined with growingconcerns for the environment, is fuelling the demand for more innovative andsustainable products, services and systems. Whole system design is oneapproach that aims to integrate social, economic and environmental phenomenainto a comprehensive design solution. The approach encourages thedevelopment of partnerships between actors from a variety of differentbackgrounds, disciplines and sectors to develop an innovative, sustainable andoptimised solution at a whole system level. However, there is limited researchconcerning the integrative process that actors are required to follow in order toreach such a solution.The aim of this study was to gain improved knowledge and understandingsurrounding the process of whole system design and to identify those factors thatinfluence its success. This was achieved in two phases; firstly a longitudinal casestudy was undertaken which followed the process of whole system design frombeginning to end. 22 design and progress meetings were observed, 18 interviewswere carried out and a multitude of relevant documentation was analysed. Thisresulted in the identification of 10 themes. The second phase of the researchaimed to validate initial findings by conducting 5 smaller cases and interviewing11 individually selected experts. The study ultimately produced 8 confirmedthemes, 68 individual findings and 37 factors that enable and inhibit the processof whole system design.As a result of this study, an improved knowledge and understanding surroundingthe process of whole system design has been presented. In particular, findingshave been provided concerning: the development of partnerships, the pertinenceof human and non-human interaction, the requirement of individualcharacteristics, enhanced understanding of purpose and process, the necessaryalignment of individual and organisational motivation, the necessity of sensemaking activities, the role of a facilitator and the need for integration, each ofthese within the context of whole system design. The framework of these findingsprovides a novel contribution to knowledge within the context of whole systemdesign.
