Addressing complexity requires an integrative approach to design – working across scales, organisational, physical and professional boundaries. To be a boundary spanner requires strong grounding in one discipline, with a skillset and disposition allowing the spanning of others. In effecting systemic change, the boundary spanner is a critical role, however often overlooked amongst more commonly understood traditional professions and roles. In the field of engineering consulting, Rick Hopkins discusses the practice and education of the Design Manager as boundary spanner and argues for the long overdue recognition of this critical technical leadership role.

Image source: Rome University of Fine Art – Design Management

In January 1998 I arrived in Sydney for what was to be a 3-month stint at Connell Wagner. I stayed 23 years! I started out in structures, moved to telcos, then to the Cross City Tunnel project. Then in 2004, I landed on the Holsworthy Special Forces project as the ‘Design Manager’. I’ve been in that DM space ever since. But what is it?

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