It seems that almost everything can be considered relational. Things become meaningful in relation with another thing. Thus, everything can be seen as an effect. So can agency. The important point is how much we consider this characteristics of things. How much do we consider its implications? How much do we know what a relational view of agency requires? How do we know whether our (design) practices embrace this notion of agency or not? Should we try to control it? or diminish it? or support it?
Designing for agency asks us to recognize this characteristic and support it. However, sometimes a limited or controlled level of relationality might be required, in those cases (such as high performance systems or higher reliability required systems), at least an awareness of relationality and consideration of implications of our decisions on agency are desired.
Relationality quality asks for:
i- understanding of mutual influence, shaping and co-constitution of actors and artefacts.
ii- embracing emergent and improvised action.
iii- considering system as an assemblage/network of actors, artefacts or collective hybrids.
i- what does it mean? what does it involve?
ii- how can we embrace them?
iii- what happens when we start to use the notion or metaphor of assemblage?
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