3 Types of Parallel Design

Parallel design is the process of designing several solutions for the same project. The idea is to explore multiple options and approaches to produce more valuable outputs or solve intractable problems. The following are common examples of parallel design.

Client Pitch

An architectural firm pitches multiple design concepts to the same client. The firm has competition for the contract and multiple concepts increase the chance the firm will be selected.

Innovation

A standard innovation approach is to experiment with as many ideas as possible in a lightweight way. This may involve multiple teams and individuals developing concepts and prototypes on a regular basis that are quickly evaluated. In many cases, only a small fraction of early ideas become a product.

Contests

Internal or crowd-sourced contests to design products, services, experiences, interfaces or graphics. For example, a sporting goods firm might regularly ask for pitches from the community for snowboarding technologies and art.

Overview: Parallel Design
Type	Design Process
Definition	Designing several solutions in parallel for the same project.
Related Concepts	Design Design Process Innovation Commercial Art