framdriven

Framdriven is a term used in design, product development, and organizational planning to describe a workflow or philosophy that prioritizes framing problems, goals, and decision criteria before pursuing solutions. The word combines the Swedish fram, meaning forward or ahead, with driven, conveying a forward-looking orientation and purposeful momentum. In Nordic tech and design communities it has been used to describe approaches that seek alignment on a shared frame—what success looks like, for whom, and under what constraints—before generating ideas.

Origin and adoption: Although not a universal standard, framdriven gained traction in workshops and case studies during the late 2010s and early 2020s as teams sought to reduce rework and misaligned expectations. It is often presented as a complement to agile and design thinking, emphasizing upfront framing as a prerequisite to effective experimentation.

Practice: Practitioners employ framing techniques such as problem statements, success criteria, hypothesis definitions, and decision records. Common tools include framing canvases, lightweight mapping of stakeholders and constraints, and collaboration rituals that ensure cross-functional buy-in before ideation. The approach supports iterative refinement as new information emerges.

Evaluation and limitations: Proponents say framdriven improves clarity and reduces scope creep, but critics note that it can introduce process overhead if not applied with facilitation and discipline. When overused, it may delay action; when underused, it fails to realize its benefits. The term remains informal and context-dependent rather than a prescriptive methodology.

See also: problem framing, design thinking, agile software development, lean startup, product framing.