Whole Group

Whole Group is a comprehensive design approach that considers all stakeholders, components, and aspects of a project or system simultaneously, emphasizing holistic understanding and integrated solutions. This methodology emerged from systems thinking and has become increasingly relevant in contemporary design practices, particularly as design challenges grow more complex and interconnected. The approach recognizes that individual elements cannot be effectively designed or modified in isolation, as changes to one component invariably affect others within the system. In design contexts, whole group thinking facilitates better outcomes by ensuring that all relevant perspectives, from users and manufacturers to environmental impacts and cultural considerations, are taken into account during the design process. This approach has proven particularly valuable in sustainable design initiatives, where understanding the complete lifecycle and broader implications of design decisions is crucial. The methodology often employs collaborative workshops, cross-functional teams, and participatory design sessions to gather diverse insights and create more resilient solutions. The whole group approach has gained significant recognition in design competitions, including the A' Design Award, where projects demonstrating comprehensive consideration of all stakeholders and environmental factors often receive special attention. This method has evolved to incorporate digital tools and technologies that help visualize and analyze complex relationships between different components, stakeholders, and outcomes, enabling designers to better predict and optimize their solutions for the benefit of all involved parties.

Author: Lucas Reed

Keywords: systems thinking, holistic design, stakeholder integration, collaborative approach, sustainability considerations, participatory design

Help us improve the Design+Encyclopedia, contribute your alternative definition for Whole Group today!

About the Design+Encyclopedia
The Design+Encyclopedia is a crowd-sourced reference of information on design. Unlike other crowd-sourced publications on design, the Design Encyclopedia is edited and actively monitored and publishing is only possible after review of submitted texts. Furthermore, editors of the Design Encyclopedia are mostly consisting of award winning designers who have proven their expertise in their design respective fields. Information posted at design encyclopedia is copyrighted, you are not granted a right to use the text for any commercial reasons, attribution is required. If you wish to contribute to the design encyclopedia, please first register or login to A' Design Award and then start a new design encyclopedia entry.