How do you assess circular design?

1 Circular Design Framework

A circular design framework is a set of criteria and guidelines that can help you define, plan, and implement your circular design project. It can help you align your goals, values, and strategies with the circular economy principles and practices. There are different circular design frameworks available, such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Circular Design Guide, the IDEO's Circular Design Toolkit, and the Circular Design Lab's Circular Design Canvas. You can choose the framework that suits your needs and context, or create your own based on your research and insights.

2 Circular Design Indicators

Circular design indicators are quantitative or qualitative measures that can help you monitor and evaluate your circular design project. They can help you track your progress, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and communicate your impact and value. Some examples of circular design indicators are material intensity, resource efficiency, waste reduction, carbon footprint, circularity potential, and user satisfaction. You can use existing indicators, such as the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) or the Circularity Gap Report, or develop your own based on your data and objectives.

3 Circular Design Feedback

Circular design feedback is the process of collecting and analyzing data and opinions from your stakeholders, such as users, customers, suppliers, partners, and experts. It can help you validate your assumptions, test your solutions, and improve your outcomes. You can use different methods and tools to gather and process circular design feedback, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, prototyping, testing, and analytics. You should seek feedback throughout your circular design project, from the ideation to the implementation stage.

4 Circular Design Review

A circular design review is a structured and systematic evaluation of your circular design project. It can help you assess your performance, impact, and value against your goals, criteria, and indicators. You can use different formats and methods to conduct a circular design review, such as self-assessment, peer review, expert review, or external audit. You should conduct a circular design review at different stages of your circular design project, such as before, during, and after the execution.

5 Circular Design Learning

Circular design learning is the process of extracting and applying the lessons learned from your circular design project. It can help you improve your skills, knowledge, and practices, and create more value for your stakeholders and the environment. You can use different techniques and tools to facilitate circular design learning, such as reflection, documentation, storytelling, sharing, and collaboration. You should engage in circular design learning throughout your circular design project, and beyond.

6 Circular Design Scaling

Circular design scaling is the process of expanding and replicating your circular design project. It can help you increase your impact, reach, and value, and contribute to the transition to a circular economy. You can use different strategies and models to scale your circular design project, such as replication, adaptation, integration, or transformation. You should consider the opportunities and challenges of scaling your circular design project, and plan accordingly.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?