Development by Design

The purpose of this paper is to initiate a debate about whether and how we can embed socio-economic development in information technology (IT). The ICT4D research community has spent significant efforts on critically exploring, problematising and theorising how IT can challenge and often work against development. This paper takes a different approach by exploring if and how to embed development values in IT. The paper contributes by suggesting a concept of development by design, emphasising how to embed development throughout the design and lifecycle of IT. This concept’s basis is socio-economic development as reflected in notions of digital divides, including the values of access to IT, the relevance of IT, social inclusion through IT, and participation in digital innovation. Based on these values and inspired by ideas on how to embed values in IT, this paper also offers an early version of a framework of practice-oriented design principles. This framework can promote socio-economic development in developing countries by ensuring values being implemented from the design and throughout its lifecycle of IT.